Edwards makes statement with runner-up finish in Oz (cont'd)

Bump-and-run thoughts after Kansas ...

Winner
• Jimmie Johnson: OK, start etching the trophy -- and move over Cale Yarborough.

Think it's too soon to call the Chase? Let's talk after Talladega. In the past 10 races at 'Dega:
• Johnson -- one win, four top-five finishes, 16.8 average finish
• Carl Edwards -- one top-five finish in eight starts, 24.0 average finish
• Greg Biffle -- best finish of 13th in eight starts, 25.6 average finish

Date	Track	Time	TV
Sept. 14	Loudon	1 p.m.	ABC
Sept. 21	Dover	1 p.m.	ABC
Sept. 28	Kansas	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 5	Talladega	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 11	Charlotte	7 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 19	Martinsville	1 p.m.	ABC
Oct. 26	Atlanta	1 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 2	Texas	3 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 9	Phoenix	3 p.m.	ABC
Nov. 16	Homestead	3 p.m.	ABC

All times ET

Not to mention eight of the past 10 races have been won by a Chevrolet (and Jimmie drives one, you know). This may prove to be the race in which JJ separates himself from the pack.

Loser
• Chase drivers not named Jimmie, Carl or Greg: The top three are separated by 30 points. The next closest, Jeff Burton, is 121 points behind -- after finishing seventh and still losing 39 points.

Bottom line: With seven races remaining, there's gonna be a lot of TV time for Nos. 48, 99 and 16. The rest of y'all can get in the truck.

Lucky Dog
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.: He says not to count out the No. 88, especially with Talladega next up for the never-ending-circus that is the Cup Series.

OK, we'll take your word for it, hoss. But until the car can run good at the green and checkered flags, we'll hold off on booking the caterer for that after-race party.

Who's hot
• David Reutimann: Five consecutive top-20 finishes and he's accumulated 720 points in the past six races, 12th-best among all drivers.

Who's not
• Tony Stewart: A 40th-place finish at Kansas has to be the topper for what is shaping up to be a less-than-glorious final run for Smoke. It can't get any worse, can it? He was supposed to run for the championship before running for the door -- but lookee there, he runs well at 'Dega: (Continued)