
Heading into this Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, Mark Martin still has a chance to win his first Cup championship.

Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon split the difference on an unexpected chance to get back into the 2009 Chase on Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, with Martin cutting point leader Jimmie Johnson's margin more than in half.

Jeff Burton slammed the outside wall during Friday's Cup practice and will start Sunday's Dickies 500 in a backup car. Casey Mears is replacing Burton in Richard Childress Racing's No. 29 Chevrolet for Saturday's O'Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race.

Mark Martin was talking to millions of race fans a couple of weeks ago during an interview at Lowe's Motor Speedway, but quite clearly, he was also talking to himself...

Can you imagine Tom Brady and Peyton Manning exchanging tips on throwing the football right before a big game? Or Derek Jeter sharing batting tips with an opposing player on the eve of the World Series?

On a Saturday night when everyone chasing Jimmie Johnson was desperately hoping to gain ground on the leader in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, there was only one winner in the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Mark Martin was talking to millions of race fans a couple of weeks ago during an interview at Lowe's Motor Speedway, but quite clearly, he was also talking to himself...

Can you imagine Tom Brady and Peyton Manning exchanging tips on throwing the football right before a big game? Or Derek Jeter sharing batting tips with an opposing player on the eve of the World Series?

On a Saturday night when everyone chasing Jimmie Johnson was desperately hoping to gain ground on the leader in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, there was only one winner in the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

1. Juan Montoya is the only driver to post top-five finishes in all three Chase races to date. Does that mean he's progressed from dark horse to favorite?

The cars of Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin are going back to the NASCAR Research and Development Center for another look.

Chad Knaus walked out of the No. 48 transporter Friday morning and faced a phalanx of reporters for the crime of being within NASCAR law.















