FanHouse AlanGustafson

Enjoy a look back at Mark Martin's Southern 500 Darlington win from Saturday night from the angle of Sprint Cup Numbers:

1.531 - Martin's margin of victory, in seconds, over teammate Jimmie Johnson

2 - Wins for Martin at Darlington in 43 career starts

3 - Career 'Did Not Finish' results for Martin at Darlington, each of which was for engine problems

Mark Martin's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory last weekend at Phoenix very well may have been the most popular and sentimental win in years.

Not only did the fans in the grandstands voice their thundering approval but numerous drivers and car owners ducked into Victory Lane to congratulate Mark on his accomplishment. Greg Biffle articulated it best when he said, in summary, that he couldn't think of anyone else, besides himself, he'd rather see in Victory Lane. The feeling of virtually every driver in the garage is that if they can't pull their car into Victory Lane, they're happy to see Mark do so. He has that much respect because he races everyone clean and is as intense as they come.

It wasn't a bright and shiny day after all for Hendrick Motorsports Saturday at Kansas.

Kyle Busch won Saturday's Busch race at Kansas Speedway over Matt Kenseth by about a car length in his No. 5 Chevrolet. While the victory was nice, it could turn out to haunt Busch for the rest of 2007 season in both the Busch and Nextel Cup series.

Busch's car failed post-race inspection in a major sort of way Saturday evening. And by major sort of way, I mean like Michael Waltrip-type way, not the Carl Edwards-type way.

The intake manifold on the No. 5's engine -- a piece long thought as one of the steepest of infractions when out of bounds -- was deemed illegal in the eyes of NASCAR. The sanctioning body has since taken the part into their possession.

This certainly isn't good news for anyone involved with Busch's Busch or Nextel Cup series efforts. Without a doubt, the penalty will be steep (as Busch Series penalties go) for Busch and Co. The significant "and Co." part of that equation includes the man who crew chiefs for Busch in both divisions, Alan Gustafson.

The Hendrick Motorsports public relations staff wasted no time Tuesday morning. Could it be because they had Monday off for Labor Day?

Regardless of the reason, Hendrick announced two important pieces to the Dale Earnhardt Jr. puzzle.

First, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. will follow his driver and cousin Dale Earnhardt Jr. from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to Hendrick in 2008 after signing a multi-year deal. And then, Hendrick ended a minor part of the rumors for Dale Jr.'s number next year by naming Casey Mears to the No. 5 Kelloggs Chevrolet, replacing a departing Kyle Busch.

Mears has campaigned the No. 25 for Hendrick in 2007 with moderate success, including a win and a pole.

While Dale Jr. sponsor rumors continue to swirl (and irritate The Charlotte Observer's David Poole), the puzzle seems to be slowing taking shape. According to Junior, all of the major details of his Hendrick Chevy for 2008 have been essentially stamped out, but the team is waiting to announce them for about another month.

It was also interesting to note that Alan Gustafson, Kyle Busch's current crew chief, will assume that role for Mears in 2008, landing Darian Grubb (current No. 25 crew chief) away from the top of a pit box at Hendrick. He will be an "at-track engineer" that will help coordinate the Mears and Earnhardt Jr. programs.

That's kind of like a promotion, right?

So Ginn Racing didn't close both the #13 and #14 Nextel Cup teams this week, just their Busch team, which amounted to roughly 30 people losing their jobs, save the spotter who was promoted to Cup. But, even though they haven't closed the books, Bobby Ginn seems to have made both team's numbers available on the open owner market, with the likelihood of selling the #13 to the highest bidder.

And what owner might be willing to buy its way into the top 35? Teresa Earnhardt is the leading runner. Paul Menard isn't going to be able to climb his way into the top 35 himself if he can't qualify for a race. DEI's got the cash to compensate. You put it together.

Speaking of DEI's cash ... Budweiser is ready move on next year, but not with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser is reportedly setting their sites on Kasey Kahne now. Score Ray Evernham!

That leaves Junior wide open to Do the Dew, which I think means he would also give up his personal appearances contract with Bud, which is good considering he'll need time for Sony and Adidas now. Wow. Junior really scored on the upgrade of free goods, huh? Also ... look for Junior to give the #14 team's displaced spotter, his buddy T.J. Majors, a shot on the #? Mountain Dew Chevrolet next season. Reminder: Free the #8!

What that means for Kellogg's I have no idea, but about the Kellogg's driver ...

A source tells me that Kyle Busch has already decided on Richard Childress Racing and is expected to take a lot of his crew with him. By a lot, I take it to mean his crew chief, Alan Gustafson (making room for Tony Eury Jr.), and whoever else wants to come along. Maybe the sponsor will follow, too.