Cross' Words: Never forget

Six years ago, NASCAR Nation was mourning the loss of Dale Earnhardt, and heralding the arrival of Kevin Harvick. ... Six years later, Dale Earnhardt Inc. remains in the headlines but often for the wrong reasons, in the eyes of Junior Nation.

Six years ago, Jeff Gordon was winning his fourth Cup championship. ... Six years later, Gordon should have two more championships -- except for ...

• Send Duane your thoughts

Six years ago, Brian France was only dreaming of the Chase. ... Six years later, we're four seasons into a playoff system that remains under debate.

Six years ago, Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. were dreaming of racing in the Cup Series. ... Six years later, all three are in the running for the championship.

Six years ago, Sterling Marlin, Johnny Benson, Jerry Nadeau, Jimmy Spencer, Ken Schrader and Bobby Hamilton ran the entire season. ... Six years later, all of them are out of a Cup driver's seat -- for six different reasons.

Six years ago, a Toyota is what some fans showed up to tailgate in. ... Six years later, not only do fans tailgate in a Toyota but several are in the race lineup.

Six years ago, the Car of Tomorrow was a blip on the radar. ... Six years later, the COT is here to stay (and not just because you can't use the chrome horn to move it out of your way).

Six years ago, "Boogity, boogity, boogity" was a cute companion to the green flag. ... Six years later, "Whoa, Nellie!" it ain't ... but it's the best broadcast in the sport.

Six years ago, Buffet Benny's was a staple in many kitchens. ... Six years later, we've missed his homespun analysis more than anyone wants to admit.

Six years ago, Robert Yates was two years removed from winning the championship with driver Dale Jarrett. ... Six years later, Yates is leaving the business with second-year driver David Gilliland as the face of the franchise.

Six years ago, Kurt Busch was a brash rookie with Roush Racing. ...Six years later, Busch is a brash Cup champ now with Penske Racing.

Six years ago, Andy Houston made 17 starts as a rookie. ... Six years later, he hasn't made a Cup Series start since finishing 18th at Kansas on Sept. 30, 2001.

Six years ago, Sept. 11 was a Tuesday. It was a beautiful morning. Families were whole. ... Six years later, Sept. 11 is a Tuesday. It is another beautiful day. But there are holes in the fabric of many families, torn by the events of that fateful day six years ago -- and in the days in the wake of 9/11.

Never forget that day -- the feelings of helplessness, the despair, the tears. ... Never forget today -- when you can take a moment to tell someone that you love them, or thank someone in the services for their sacrifices.

It's because of them that each of us have had at least six more years.

Say What?

"I qualified bad [37th] and that's what you get when you qualify bad. You start in the back with all the donkeys and the guys that can't drive. I guess I can't drive because I qualified bad to start with."
-- Greg Biffle, who was collected early in a wreck and finished 39th at Richmond

Figuratively Speaking

24,439 -- Series-best points total for Jimmie Johnson since the beginning of the 2004 season, including adjustments for the Chase (chart at right).

Up Next

Sylvania 300 | Loudon | 1 p.m. ET Sunday | ABC
Race No. 27 of 36 | Get tickets | Book travel

• Defending race winner: Kevin Harvick
• Most victories at the track: Jeff Burton (4)
• Best average finish (minimum five starts): Matt Kenseth (10.7 in 15 starts)
Active drivers only

Sound off

• This week's topic
Which track would you subtract from the Chase -- and which would you add?

Surf over and weigh in on the blog.

• Last week's topic
Gibbs-Toyota -- a match made in ...

Brigit
I believe this will be the chance that Toyota needs to get in the game. Remember, whatever Joe Gibbs touches turns to gold.

FloydB
Who cares if it's a Chevy or a Toyota? I'm sure Tony Stewart will be able to drive it. No big worry for me.

bradmjohnson
I can guarantee one thing: It will either be the best thing that ever happened to Toyota or it will be the worst thing that ever happened to JGR.

PoppaJ420
Money makes the world go round, but ... ahem, it can't guarantee success or -- as we've seen this year -- even a spot in the show. I think this is a bad move. TRD's engines can run top 10 at best. When your best finish all year is a fuel-mileage gamble, something's got to be up.

arebin
I know that huge money is essential at this level of motorsports, but no matter how many times I've read the last month or so that this was going to happen, I didn't completely believe it. JGR is going to be competitive, but with Toyota they seem certain to finish within the top 15 on average.

RIR3QTR
I agree with everything everybody is saying, but it is still a Toyota. It's just not right!

sweetkena
The more I read around here lately, the madder I get. Where are these people coming from? It's like they all crawled out of a hole at once ready to spread ignorance and hate everywhere they go. Yeah, it's a big deal to the NASCAR world that JGR went to Toyota. But is it world-shattering? I don't think so.

Read all the responses ...

Six of one ...
Chase drivers with momentum heading to Loudon:

• Jimmie Johnson -- He has accumulated a series-best 970 points during the past six races, including back-to-back victories.

• Kurt Busch -- As absurd as it sounds for a former champion to be a dark horse, he may be the guy to beat down the stretch.

• Tony Stewart -- Five of the Chase races are COT events. Expect him to break out in at least one of them and pick up a win.

• Martin Truex Jr. -- This would be a true dark horse pick ... but nothing he does should surprise anyone. He'll be rock-solid.

• Kyle Busch -- Odd man out? It'll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure -- on and off the track.

• Carl Edwards -- He continued the trend of making the Chase in odd-numbered years. Let's see what he does for an encore.

Half a dozen of the other ...
And six drivers who need a jump start:

• Denny Hamlin -- Last year's experience should bode well for the No. 11 team; he's more than capable of hoisting the Cup. In 2010.

• Clint Bowyer -- A good finish at Loudon may be the start of something big, but he's never finished on the lead lap at New Hampshire.

• Jeff Gordon -- He's happy to be in the Chase, but bummin' his dominating performance in Races 1-26 was tossed out with little fanfare.

• Matt Kenseth -- He doesn't enter the Chase on hot streak but the race goes to the most consistent, as he proved once before ...

• Jeff Burton -- Seven top-10 finishes in the first 11 races but only five top-10s in the past 15 races. It's time to flip the switch.

• Kevin Harvick -- Could he be the second consecutive Daytona 500 champion to win the Cup? If so, he's gotta lot of improving to do.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.