AT&T Logo Back on #31 Car

On Friday NASCAR, Sprint/Nextel, and AT&T reached a mutual agreement to put the AT&T logos back on Jeff Burton's #31 car.

AT&T will remain sponsor of Burton's #31 for at least the next 16 months.

Yeley Finds New Team for 2008

J.J. Yeley who lost his job driving for Joe Gibbs Racing when Kyle Busch was signed landed with a new team and "a team where we can grow together", as Yeley put it.

Yeley joined the new ownership structure at Hall of Fame Racing Tuesday. Yeley will replace Tony Raines in the number 96 next season. Yeley will still have some relationship with Joe Gibbs as they have a partnership with Hall of Fame.

It's a good decision for Yeley. It gives him a fresh start and more than likely he will be driving a Toyota next year, and Toyota is looking for young drivers to make a bigger splash next year. Yeley is hungry and I beieve he is on the verge of making a breakthrough and winning races. Whether he can do it next year in a Toyota is a big queston mark.

Hall of Fame racing is currently a single car operation. This could be both a blessing and a curse for Yeley. On the positive side, he will get a lot of attention and money spent on him to make him a winner. But Yeley would benefit from making Hall of Fame a multiple car organization. Time will tell.

Johnson Clinches Spot in Chase

Jimmie Johnson ended a mini slump Sunday night by winning the Sharp Aquos 500 in Fontana. Johnson earned his circuit leading fifth victory of the season.

Notes: Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished in 5th place and cut his margin behind 12th place Kevin Harvick to 128 points heading into the last race of the regular season.

Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. only need to make the field this weekend in Richmond to punch their tickets into The Chase.

Chase Spots Up For Grabs???

Time is running out on those 12 precious spots in The Chase.

Here's who sits on the bubble heading into Sunday's Race in California:
Second number listed is points behind Chase leader Jeff Gordon

8
--
Kyle Busch
3024
-558

9
--
Clint Bowyer
2944
-638

10
--
Kevin Harvick
2888
-694

11
--
Martin Truex Jr.
2887
-695

12
--
Kurt Busch
2879
-703

13
--
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2721
-861

Bowyer Happy to be Sitting 9th

He may not have any Cup wins, but Clint Bowyer is sitting pretty heading into this weeks race. He is currently in 9th place, 223 points ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is in 13th. The top 12 make the year end Chase.

Bowyer says he is aware of his place and will drive to keep his position. Bowyer to me is one of the pleasant surprises of the year.

Dale Jr. Appears To Be On The Outside Looking In - 8/28/07 Column

With two races remaining Dale Earnhardt Jr. is apparently going to fall short in his effort to make The Chase again this year. Is this becoming a yearly event, or with his change of teams taking affect next year will Earnhardt Jr. have a new lease on life?

He may have finished fifth at Bristol, but he still remains more than 150 points behind the 12th spot in the Nextel Cup Chase now held down by Kurt Busch.

In an interview following the race at Bristol, Earnhardt Jr. didn't seem that upset with the possibility of not being able to gain entry into The Chase he instead stressed the importance of winning a race this season and moving on.

I believe Dale Jr. deserves another pass for this season. Next season however Earnhardt Jr. is on the clock. Next year there will be no excuses. His Stepmom won't be looking over his shoulder and he will be part of a dream team with the best of everything.

Jr. fans don't get down with this disappointing season, instead expect big things to come and in the immortal words of Chicago Cub's fans, "Wait til next year."

I Want To Hear From You

Feel free to send your questions and comments to me on NASCAR, The Chase or anything you are curious about. E-mail me directly at Rick.Limpert@gmail.com.