Last weekend, only the Nationwide Series was running within the NASCAR schedule. This weekend, the Nationwide crews are off but both the Craftsman Truck and Sprint Cup teams will be in action at NASCAR's smallest venue, the half-mile Martinsville, Virginia oval track. Some 47 teams have entered the Sprint Cup event but only the 35 top teams in the owner's championship are guaranteed a starting position out of 43 spots. Among those who will be running for the 8 open spots are drivers like Jamie McMurray (Ford No 26), Dave Blaney (Camry No 22), Dario Franchitti (Dodge No 40), Bill Elliott (Ford No 21, but he could be automatically included as past champion), Kenny Schrader (Camry No 49, yes, Toyota Camry as BAM racing has switched from Dodge to Toyota) and even Kyle Petty (Dodge no 45). Add to those drivers Canadian Patrick Carpentier (Dodge No 10) who is 46th in points and whose car is also 46th in points. He will have to qualify on Friday afternoon (forecast calls for isolated thunderstorms) as a "Go or go home" driver. As David Reutimann will pick-up the No 44 Toyota from retiree Dale Jarrett, newcomer Michael McDowell will drive the ex-Reutimann No 00 Camry. Kyle Busch (Camry No 18) is leading the series after 5 races as last year's champ, Jimmie Johnson (Chevy No 48) is 13th followed by teammate Jeff Gordon (Chevy No 24). Sprint Cup
Top 15 in points
1- Kyle Busch 782 2- Gregg Biffle 7523-Kevin Harvick 7494-Jeff Burton 7455-Dale Earnhardt Jr 6866-Kasey Kahne 674 7-Tony Stewart 6568-Ryan Newman 6359-Clint Bowyer 606 10- Kurt Busch 605 11- Matt Kenseth 604 12- Martin Truex Jr 545 13- Jimmie Johnson 581 14- Jeff Gordon 574 15- Denny Hamlin 568
Top 15 in points
1- Kyle Busch 782 2- Gregg Biffle 7523-Kevin Harvick 7494-Jeff Burton 7455-Dale Earnhardt Jr 6866-Kasey Kahne 674 7-Tony Stewart 6568-Ryan Newman 6359-Clint Bowyer 606 10- Kurt Busch 605 11- Matt Kenseth 604 12- Martin Truex Jr 545 13- Jimmie Johnson 581 14- Jeff Gordon 574 15- Denny Hamlin 568