Cross' Words: Charlotte (cont'd)

Reality TV

Johnny Sauter and Jeff Green are racing for their seats in 2008 -- though no one is sure which (if either) will return to Haas CNC Racing in the wake of Scott Riggs' signing. In fact, Sauter already has been told he can look for greener pastures ... but Green may also be out the door.

So in true Pinks fashion, here's the tote board for who keeps their ride, at least in theory:

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

• Jeff Gordon -- Twenty-three top-10s -- including an active streak of nine in a row -- in 29 races at M'ville. Seven wins, 7.3 average finish ... he could be on cruise control by the time we turn toward Phoenix.

• Clint Bowyer -- For those who thought he was a pretender in a field of contenders ... HA!

• Kyle Busch -- OK, enough with the maturity questions.

• Jeff Burton -- Fourth-place finish was a great bounce back from a last-place run at 'Dega.

• Carl Edwards -- Kansas may prove to be his Waterloo; that 37th-place finish looms large.

• Tony Stewart -- Reckon Paul Menard would accept an invite to settle it on the dirt at Eldora? I smell pay-per-view!

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

• Jimmie Johnson -- Sixty-eight points is not too much to overcome against a mortal. Against Jeff Gordon ...

• Kurt Busch -- Fell further behind in points for the fifth consecutive week.

• Kevin Harvick -- Only one top-10 in five races? Who'd have thought that was possible.

• Denny Hamlin -- Ditto.

• Martin Truex Jr. -- Ditto.

• Matt Kenseth -- Ditto.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.