We promise to throw a caution with ample time to slow down in the event of a spinning car on this Chase edition of Notes & Quotes.
Pressure? What pressure? Juan Pablo Montoya's run into the Chase for the Sprint Cup is quite the enviable position for most other drivers simply because of the expectations that the former Formula 1 driver has on his back.
Or, make that the lack of expectations.
"I mean, what's the pressure? We made the Chase," said Montoya after his third-place finish. "From now on, anything about that, it's a balance. Come here, first Chase race, put on the pole, finish second. Can I ask for anything else? Not really. A win would be nice, but that will come."
Where: Richmond Int'l Raceway Time: Saturday night 7:30pm/EDT TV/Radio: ESPN, Motor Racing Network Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing Forecast: Mid-60s, Partly Cloudy Distance: 400 laps (300 miles) Pole Winner:Mark Martin 2008 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
The Storylines
25 races and 9,706 miles of racing in 2009 boils down to a 400-lap shootout Saturday night that will make the season for the 12 guys who secure a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. And for the guys that don't, well, just consider it to be the wrong end of a make-or-break scenario.
Four drivers have clinched an entry prior to the green flag, while 8 spots and 11 eligible drivers will steal the show Saturday night in Richmond. A scramble it will be.
After a slip-sliding affair in the Peach State on Sunday night, here's some Notes & Quotes from NASCAR's newest Labor Day tradition. You've got to hand it to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Sunday night's race looked and felt like a breath of fresh air into the venue that has long seen attendance woes -- even while the racing has generally been well above par. Estimates from media and drivers alike put the crowd much larger than the track has seen in years.
The on-track action -- thanks mostly to a tire that wore down and slowed the cars during a run -- was second to none with some 31 lead changes. You've got to bet track president Ed Clark has a big smile on his face this week because Labor Day weekend really clicked with the 1.54-mile track. David Reutimann finished a strong 4th driving an ultra-cool camouflage-painted No. 00, but it wasn't an easy process.
Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway Time: Sunday 7:47pm/EDT TV/Radio: ESPN, PRN Radio Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing Forecast: High 60s, Mostly Cloudy Distance: 325 laps (500.5 miles) Pole Winner: Martin Truex Jr. 2008 Winner: Carl Edwards
The Storylines
Sunday night's race might be a last ditch effort to ensure Atlanta Motor Speedway has a spot on the NASCAR schedule, much less two.
And judging by the optimism of AMS track president Ed Clark, the expected attendance is working in his favor.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carl Edwards will race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway despite breaking his right foot playing frisbee.
Edwards is on crutches but was cleared to race in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series by doctors from the University of Missouri. He is from Columbia, Mo., and was injured in a hometown game Wednesday night.
MONTREAL (AP) -- Carl Edwards was as shocked as anyone.
"I can't believe I won the race,'' Edwards said Sunday after making a stunning pass of Marcos Ambrose on the final turn of the Nationwide race at Montreal. "I just figured he'd take off and run away with it. I guess that goes to show you never give up.''
It was another lost opportunity at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for Ambrose, who has had a chance to win all three Nationwide races conducted on the street circuit since NASCAR began racing here in 2007.
The despair was real on a day that started in sunshine and turned to gloom.
Where:Bristol Motor Speedway Time: Saturday night 7:00pm/EDT TV/Radio: ESPN, Motor Racing Network Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing Forecast: Mid-60s, 30% chance rain Distance: 500 laps (266.5 miles) Pole Winner:Mark Martin 2008 Winner: Carl Edwards
The Storylines
Brad Keselowski was the talk of the Bristol garage Friday evening after a few sources said that he's signed a deal with Penske Racing to be the driver of the No. 12 in 2010 -- uprooting a relationship with NASCAR's top team and another driver.
BROOKLYN, MICH. (AP) -- Closing in on the checkered flag with mostly fumes in his gas tank, there were only two possibilities for Brian Vickers.
Run out of gas and probably blow any chance at making NASCAR's championship chase -- or make a bold move toward title contention by winning the race.
After a surprising gamble on gas by his crew chief, Vickers drove conservatively to conserve fuel. Then he pounced when race leader Jimmie Johnson's tank ran dry, taking the lead with two laps to go and holding on to win Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.
Where: Watkins Glen Int'l Raceway Time: Monday 12:00pm/EDT TV/Radio: ESPN, Motor Racing Network Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing Monday Forecast: 88 degrees, 40% Rain Distance: 90 laps (220.5 miles) Pole Winner:Jimmie Johnson 2008 Winner: Kyle Busch
The Storylines
We talked a little bit about Marcos Ambrose this week on FanHouse and how he appears to be a good pick to win his first race Sunday at Watkins Glen. Well, after practice, qualifying and Saturday's Nationwide race it's become obvious: you'd be crazy to not look at Marcos Ambrose as a favorite.
Tony Stewart may have been completely ticked at himself for crashing in practice at Pocono Raceway Saturday, but if the past is any guide, he's going to be just fine for Sunday's race.
We promise to throw a caution with ample time to slow down in the event of a spinning car on this Chase edition of Notes & Quotes.
Race: Chevy Rock & Roll 400
After a slip-sliding affair in the Peach State on Sunday night, here's some Notes & Quotes from NASCAR's newest Labor Day tradition.
Race: Pep Boys 500
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- 
MONTREAL (AP) -- 
Race: Sharpie 500
BROOKLYN, MICH. (AP) -- Closing in on the checkered flag with mostly fumes in his gas tank, there were only two possibilities for 
Race: Heluva Good! @ the Glen
Race: Red Cross Pennsylvania 500
