Hello Newman! With a win in the opening round of the Nextel Chase for the Cup, Ryan Newman vaulted up seven positions to third, heading into the
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| With a win in the opening round of the Nextel Chase for the Cup, Ryan Newman vaulted up seven positions to third. (Photo: Autostock) |
second race, to be held next weekend at Dover. Factoring in how often, or more to the point, how scarce wins from Newman are, it is a great way for him to kick of his attempt at the championship. Now, he can probably get by without winning again in the chase, if he can produce consistent finishes the rest of the way. Points leader going in, Tony Stewart, took the pole, finished second behind Newman and retained the point lead heading to Dover. Stewart's defining moment could well come at Talledaga Speedway in a few weeks. His Home Depot Monte Carlo is great on restrictor plate races, and if he can do well
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| NASCAR's golden boy Kasey Kahne, shown here being passed by Greg Biffle for the lead at Charlotte, is starting to show some emotion, which is good; but ramming another car is not the way to do that. (Photo: Autostock) |
at Dover and win at Talladega, he will clearly be in the driver's seat. By midweek, you can expect some hefty fines and maybe even some missed races for some drivers after a few WWF type incidents at Loudon. Kasey Kahne and Robby Gordon - neither of whom is in the chase - could do well with a week off to think about their actions at the New Hampshire event. Kahne was turned by Kyle Busch and then Kahne nailed Busch under yellow. It seemed out of character for Kahne, who is regarded as NASCAR's golden boy, so to show some emotion is good, but ramming another car is not the way to do that.