By Staff
The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series blows into Kansas this weekend and though there are plenty of characters to talk about, I am afraid none of them are named Dorothy, Toto or Oz.
But if we take a close look at some of the stars of the sport, we could compare a few of them to other characters from that classic movie.
We all know that the Lion was in search of courage from the Wizard of Oz, we also know that Mark Martin has spent over 20 years chasing the elusive championship of stock car racing's elite series.
For that I would give the Lion some of Mark's courage because his cup overflows with it.
The Tin Man was in need of a heart, maybe he could get some from Kyle Petty. Kyle has got to have the biggest heart in NASCAR. The work that he and his family do for terminally ill children tugs at mine every time I hear him talk about the Victory Junction Gang Camp.
If you want to know more go to www.victory junction.org.
The Scarecrow traveled to Oz with Dorothy because he wanted a brain and I would put Jeremy Mayfield in the same boat. That guy had a good deal going with Evernham Motorsports. A high-profile team, great sponsor, a good salary, and was on a weekly NASCAR reality series. But he decided to bring his car owner's personal life into the press and then blame it all on the poor performance of his team, all of which got him fired.
The strange thing is, Elliott Sadler jumps into the same car and it is running very well. Not a real smart move if you ask me.
The Chase for the Cup got jumbled up a bit at Dover as some of the front-runners took a hit in the standings. To begin with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch both had terrible luck.
Kahne was involved in an accident early into the race and Bush blew an engine, putting both of them over 180 points behind the leader Jeff Burton. Kevin Harvick blew an engine as well and relinquished his place atop the standing and fell to fifth. Jeff Burton, who claimed victory at Dover, now sits in first place with Jeff Gordon right behind.
Matt Kenseth finished 10th last week but could have come home second had he not ran out of gas with two laps to go.
All of this has put some drivers against the ropes and they now have to run well for the remaining eight races or their chance at the Cup will be gone.
Martin won the race at Kansas last year and I would expect him to be near the front again as will Matt Kenseth. But I look for Kevin Harvick to avenge his blown engine last week and visit victory lane, but keep an eye on Jimmie Johnson too, he is due for a win.
Our local drivers did not have spectacular finishes at the Monster Mile in Dover but at least they stayed out of trouble.
David Stremme finished 18th, Tony Raines was 23rd, and Ryan Newman was 24th.