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but first, these notes of interest:
--As far as Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch and the “Chase for the Championship” goes, one could easily say…been there…done that. After all, it was KB taking the points title during the inaugural year of the “Chase” format back in 2004. KB lays out his odds in this week’s Kansas advance and he points to Matt Kenseth as the favorite to take the 2006 crown. See all the details in the release that follows.
--KB and his Roy McCauley-led Penske Racing South team will be racing their PRS-093 Miller Lite Dodge this weekend at Kansas. This car was raced at Texas in April and in both Pocono races, where KB finished second. KB, Roy and crew tested the car again last Wednesday (Sept. 20) at Kentucky Speedway. “It’s a strong car that Kurt seems to like a lot,” said Roy. “I think our trip to Kentucky last week will make it even stronger for this weekend’s race at Kansas.”
--KB is still looking for his first career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup win and pole on the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway. His record currently sports two top-10 finishes in five races. His best career start to date was 10th in the tour’s last visit there in 2005 and his best finish entering this weekend was the sixth he scored in the September 2004 race. He has a 21.2 average start and 20.0 average finish at Kansas.
--KB testing “Car of Tomorrow” at the Milwaukee Mile tomorrow (Wed., Sept. 27). The two-day test that was set two weeks ago (Sept. 11-12) was completely rained out.
--KB could be found last Tuesday evening (Sept. 19) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia decked out in full Philadelphia Phillies uniform and taking part in batting practice with the Phillies. They were preparing for a game against the Chicago Cubs, KB’s favorite team.
"Aw, I think the Cubs will let me slide on this one," the 2004 Nextel Cup champion said at the time of his Phillies duds. "Besides, you've got to be gracious to the hosts."
KB was extremely impressive in his turns at the plate.
“Kurt was among the best we’ve ever had paying us a visit,” said John Brazer, the Phillies’ Director of Fun & Games, who was in charge of executing the night’s activities for KB. “He came within a couple of feet of knocking one out of the park and he definitely impressed our players. He is by far the best racer who has paid us a visit.”
“Yeah, I’ll admit that it was a little bit of me being able to fulfill a fantasy,” KB said. “After 10 years of Little League, I had dreams of going further, but a race car showed up in our garage at the same time that I was to start playing baseball in school. It was a decision I had to make, but I guess everything worked out for me okay.”
--KB’s visit to Citizens Bank Park brought his number of Major League Baseball venue visits to 19. “It’s a goal of mine to make it to every park out there,” KB said. “Getting to places like Seattle and others has been tough, but I’ll keep at it till I get to all of them.”
--KB’s love for the Chicago Cubs has been well documented. His latest take: “I’m looking at 2009 right now – that’s when they’ll be ready to challenge for the National League Pennant and maybe have a legitimate shot of taking it all. Don’t be surprised if you hear that I have an apartment up there right by Wrigley (Field, home of the Cubs) in ’09. I have that year targeted and plan on getting to as many games as I can possibly make it to.”
--Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch’s five pole positions continues to lead all drivers in 2006 poles entering this weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway. Jeff Burton and Kasey Kahne have four each.
--Not only has Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch proved himself deserving of his new nickname, “Professor Friday,” by leading the way in the most poles won, he continues to display the top qualifying consistency among all the competitors. KB’s 8.571 average start is by far the best in the sport. Jeff Gordon is the only other driver with an average start of 10th or better (9.143). KB has amassed 20 top-10 starts, more than any other driver, and has started in the top five in 10 races. He has started no worse than 20th in any race.
--How does KB stack up against Jeff Burton and Kasey Kahne, the drivers with four poles and his closest rivals for most poles this season? Burton has a 13.036 average start, with 13 top-10 starts. He has started outside the top 20 in five races. Kahne has a 13.429 average start, with 16 top-10 starts, but he has started outside the top 20 in eight races.
--The Roy McCauley led Miller Lite Dodge team won the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge Sunday at Dover. Sunday’s personnel lineup included: Ray Gallahan (jackman), Dave Littau (front-tire carrier), Dustin Coonfield (front-tire changer), Larry Robinette (rear-tire carrier), Kevin Hebert (rear-tire changer), Chris Williams (gasman), Steve Williams (catch can) and Brian Wilson (windshield).
--Congratulations to Miller Lite Dodge team’s regular front-tire changer Jay Hackney and wife, Krista, on the birth of their twins, Tyler Reed and Taylor Reese, born at Lake Norman Regional Hospital on Sunday. Tyler, born at 4:12 p.m., weighed in at 3 lbs., 12 oz., while Taylor was born at 4:37 p.m. and weighed 4 lbs. 6 oz. They are the first children for the Hackneys.
--“I have only one superstition. I touch all the bases when I hit a home run.” –Babe Ruth
KURT BUSCH SAYS KENSETH IS FAVORITE TO TAKE THE 2006 TITLE-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Weighs In On His “Odd Outlook” For The “Chase to the Championship”-
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 26, 2006) – Kurt Busch was the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champ under the current “Chase” format back in 2004. Been there. Done that. Now, with eight races remaining in the season, the driver of the Miller Lite Dodge weighs in on his “odd outlook” for the 2006 “Chasers”: (in alphabetical order)
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JEFF BURTON: 6 to 1 - “Jeff finally broke into the win column at Dover for the first time since 2001. He still knows how to win races and his team has been on an upward move the entire season. The big thing here is that they need to keep the momentum going that they used to get them into the Chase to begin with. If they can keep up their consistency, Jeff could turn into the man to beat. They have been running so well for so long, it would be hard to believe it if they aren’t able to take the Dover win and build on it. Their downfall could be having one bad race – a crash or a blown engine – and not be able to bounce back from that. The Dover win gave them such a boost, though, and they’ll be able to run on the adrenaline they got from that for the next few races. If they can keep their consistency for the next couple of races, I might have to put them up to five-to-one odds or even better. You can bet that after Sunday’s Dover race, the engine guys at RCR are working to find out what happened to the 29 team’s engine and doing what they can to prevent it from happening again to either team car in the Chase.”
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KYLE BUSCH: 8 to 1 - “I look at Kyle as a driver and the No. 5 team and I don’t see any particular strong points or any weak points during the final eight races. Being behind by 224 points so early in the Chase, they can’t afford to have any more problems and they must be running up front in the remainder of the races. There probably is one track where I expect him to be really strong. I know how much Kyle likes the Phoenix track and those guys have already tasted success there. Phoenix could be a great weekend and it might just come at the right time. If they can bounce back from the hole they have dug early in the Chase, a great run at Phoenix could be just what they need in leaving there and going on to Homestead for the final race. I think most of the other guys will eventually have at least one bad race and that will help cut the deficit to some degree. Kyle’s inexperience is probably the biggest thing he has going against him, but a fast car could help him overcome that. He needs to stay out of trouble the rest of the way. He says he’s already out of it. One more step backwards and I’ll have to agree.”
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DALE EARNHARDT JR.: 4 to 1 - “Junior and the No. 8 team haven’t been top-three everywhere this season, but they have been in there running from fifth to eighth a big portion of the year. They were really strong enough to do that at Dover, but had a few problems and got behind toward the end. They’ll strike on a level of consistency during the final eight races that’ll make them genuine contenders for winning the title. You have to look at the Talladega race as being very important and pivotal for this team. For the longest time, it was almost a ‘gimme’ every time we race at Talladega. If they hit it big time in the Talladega race and several of the others get caught up in a big crash, it could be the biggest race of the year for Junior. On the other hand, with the great expectations they always have – and the fans and media always looking at that No. 8 car as the favorite there – a bad finish there could have a negative effect that they battle for the remainder of the season.”
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JEFF GORDON: 3 to 1 - “Some people might be surprised that I have Jeff with the second best odds, but maybe not after his performances during the first two races of the Chase. I’ve seen that team really come to life when they’re up against the wall. They made the big hurdle of making it into the Chase and that was their goal since last September at Richmond when everyone was making such a big deal of them not making it in 2005. You have to believe that Jeff will be a winner or at least a top-three driver at Martinsville and at Talladega and those could be tracks where many of the Chasers have bad days. He’s hungry and really has that No. 24 team motivated. He’s won all those championships and if it’s close, Jeff knows how to handle pressure probably better than any other driver in our sport. He won’t be playing any mind games, but he is strong enough to handle anything the other teams may try to dish out.”
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DENNY HAMLIN: 8 to 1 - “Denny and his team have impressed me so much this season. Without a doubt, they are the surprise driver and team of the year. They are definitely better than your average rookie driver and team. I’ll always remember the June Pocono race this year. We had turned in a qualifying lap that was pretty strong. One by one, the guys that we thought had a chance to turn in a better lap made their runs and didn’t knock us off the pole. Then here comes Denny and the 11 car. He picked up an unbelievable second-and-a-half from practice to qualifying and he pulled down pit road after making his run. I went over to his car and congratulated him. It was as if he didn’t realize what he had done – just so innocent. Then, they go out and win both races at Pocono. The big thing you have to keep in mind is that he is a true rookie. Everybody knows that you can go from a hero to a zero in a hurry in this sport – but Denny is in a position where he has exceeded all expectations. That team really has nothing to lose with the success they’ve already enjoyed this year. They’ve been consistent during the first two races of the Chase and continue to turn heads, but they are still rookies. That’s why I’ll give them the eight-to-one odds.”
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KEVIN HARVICK: 4 to 1 - “Harvick and that team, they’re so good on the flat tracks and we have a few of them left this season. I looked at Dover as the biggest question mark for that team during the remainder of the season. He still had a top-10 car before the engine problem and still is only 54 points out. I think Phoenix will be a good race for the 29 car. It’s a flat track and Kevin likes racing there. With all the recent controversy and accusations, they have been able to weather that storm really well. But, if there’s more negative stuff that continues, it could eventually be a distraction. They need to keep focused and continue the level of consistency they’ve enjoyed the second half of the season. The RCR guys didn’t have a car in the Chase last year and they determined to make the best of the situation this season. I know that Kevin personally is on a mission to win both titles. It’ll be really interesting to see how it all turns out.”
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JIMMIE JOHNSON: 4 to 1 - “Lowe’s Motor Speedway – how long has Jimmie and that team practically owned that place? That could be a bonus as far as the big picture goes. Their biggest deal is to stay out of trouble. He can’t afford to have any more days like they had at New Hampshire. It seems like that was key to Jimmie and his team in past years – they have been able to stay out of trouble or bounce back from any problem they faced. This season has been different in that they’ve had problems a couple of times and not been able to come out clean. They have shown such a great level of consistency over the last few years and come up just a little short in winning the championship. Charlotte (Lowe’s) may not be their only really strong track during the remainder of the season. You’d have to throw them in as one of the potential winners at Talladega, too, with the success they’ve had recently in restrictor-plate racing. They just have to have a little Lady Luck on their side to finally close the deal.”
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KASEY KAHNE: 8 to 1 - “To Kasey and the No. 9 team’s advantage is the fact that there are five mile-and-a-half tracks left this season and they have proven to be the guys to beat on those tracks this year. I probably would have – and maybe should have – given him better odds, but with their problems in the first two Chase races and with Martinsville and Talladega in the mix, I have to think that misfortune might strike again. I’d never wish that on anybody and if they can come away from those two races clean and I knew that, I’d probably give them five-to-one odds. As the lone Dodge team in the Chase, they definitely have our attention. They weathered the pressure of being on the outside and looking in and made it into the Chase. If they come through Talladega in one piece and then have a decent run at Martinsville, they could be the big dark horses to win the thing; even having to get out of the hole they’re in right now.”
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MATT KENSETH: 2 to 1 - “Consistency, consistency, consistency – at every track. No driver and team are as consistent as Matt and the 17 team. I don’t see any weak spots for them for the remainder of the season. When you come back from 20th to lead and dominate at Dover, run out of gas, and still pull a top-10 out of it, that says a lot for the strength of Matt and his crew. As good as Matt is out on the track, Robbie Reiser has been making the right calls on pit road for about as long as I can remember. How they ran out of fuel last Sunday is pretty baffling. They might not be there up front threatening for the win in every race, but I can’t see them not being a top-five or top-10 team in any of the remaining races. When you add to all of that the fact that the 17 car probably has the best crew on pit road – at least the most consistent at their pit stops – you have to wonder what team is out there that can put all of that together. Someone asked me recently if I thought there was a weak link in Matt and the 17 team in their bid to win the Chase. All I did was smile and say, ‘there aren’t any road course races in the Chase, are there?’ I think I stated my case pretty well.”
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MARK MARTIN: 6 to 1 - “Mark is definitely the sentimental favorite and it’s easy to understand that. He has paid his dues and carries the respect from all the fans and everyone in the garage area. It would be a storybook-type deal if Mark and that team could pull it off. His experience is so valuable at all of these tracks. He could probably drive most of them blindfolded. If they can keep up the consistency they have been able to show and not have problems like they have had on pit road this year, Mark has a legitimate shot of finally getting that elusive championship. The thing about it is that a team could run 11th to 13th every week and make the Chase, but once you get in, you better step it up to running fifth to eighth, without having any problems. I really can’t think of any major plus tracks or major negative tracks to mention for Mark and his team. He could win on any given weekend and that’s what makes him such a great racer who will always be looked at as a legend in our sport, whether he wins a championship or not.”
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“The bottom line is that I’ve been around the block a couple of times now and I realize that all eyes will be on these guys during the final eight races,” Busch said. “What we have to do is put together a perfect day for us and get our Miller Lite Dodge back into Victory Lane. After the run we had at Dover, we look to be headed in the right direction. Success on the track -- that’s the best way to let ‘em all know that we’re still here and we’re making strides to get back into the Chase in 2007.”
Busch is still looking for his first career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup win and pole on the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway. His record currently sports two top-10 finishes in five races. His best career start to date was 10th in the tour’s last visit there in 2005 and his best finish entering this weekend was the sixth he scored in the September 2004 race. He has a 21.2 average start and 20.0 average finish at Kansas.
This weekend’s schedule at Kansas calls for Friday Cup practice from 12:05 a.m. till 1:35 p.m. Friday’s 3:40 p.m. Cup qualifying will set the 43-car starting field for Sunday’s race. Saturday’s schedule feature’s Cup practice from 8:30 a.m. till 9:30 a.m. and from 10:05 a.m. till 10:50 a.m. Sunday’s Banquet 400 (400-miles, 267-laps) NEXTEL Cup race gets the green flag at 1:10 p.m. NBC-TV and MRN Radio will provide coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. CDT.
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