news-record.com

LOUDON, N.H. -- While many will focus on those vying for a spot in the Chase during these next 10 Sprint Cup races, a more pivotal race is taking place.

The race for bonus points.

Each winner through the Richmond race in September scores 10 bonus points that count toward their point total once the title Chase begins. Those extra points could make all the difference in winning a championship.

In what has been a balanced season, no driver has more than three wins so far. Thus, no driver has more than 30 bonus points provided they make the Chase. The two drivers with three wins this season -- Kyle Busch and Mark Martin -- have not had consistent finishes and are in danger of falling out of the top 12. Busch is ninth, while Martin is 11th.

"If I knew I was in the Chase and if I was leading the points right now, I'd be worried about that," Carl Edwards said of not having a win, thus zero bonus points so far. "Those 30 points, that's the furthest thing from my mind right now. We could go out and win a couple of races and even that up &ellipses; but the key is not losing those 100 (regular) points you can lose in a wreck or having some sort of trouble. But, (bonus points) will come into play."

Jeff Gordon, who has one win this year, admits he's surprised no one has more than three victories at this point.

"I still think that somebody can rack them up in a hurry," he said. "We're only 20 (bonus points) behind, and I feel like we can win races before the Chase starts. Twenty points to me is not a big deal. You start getting 50 or 60 points behind somebody and that's tough to overcome, especially if it's somebody like (Jimmie Johnson) or (Tony Stewart)."

WRONG MOVE: While Danica Patrick figures out where she wants to race beyond this season, the notion of her coming to NASCAR remains a possibility. Juan Pablo Montoya, who went from Formula One to NASCAR, says that Patrick would have a tough time racing stock cars.

"I think she's got the talent and everything, but I don't think she knows what she's getting into," Montoya said about his advice to Patrick. "They're so different to drive. It's not the same feeling."

NOTHING WRONG: Asked what he would change about the car used in the Cup series, Richard Petty's answer is simple.

"I'd do nothing with it," he said. "There's nothing wrong with the race cars. The racing today is just as good or better.

"I told these guys that if these cars were perfect and they drove like they want to, I'd still be driving."

PIT STOPS: Martin Truex Jr. was the fastest in Saturday's final practice session with a lap of 128.186 mph. He was followed by Jimmie Johnson (127.795 mph), Greg Biffle (127.709), Reed Sorenson (127.666) and Mark Martin (127.662).

Contact Dustin Long at

373-7062 or dustin.long

@news-record.com