Johnson City Press from Johnson City, Tennessee • 35

NASCARRace week Wednesday August 22 2007 Johnson City Press Page 3 Defending champ continues to fly under the radar By Jeff Birchfield Press Sports Writer jbirchfieldjohnsoncitypresscom change in how the champion is determined now gives Kenseth a shot at a second title you look at how far Jeff Gordon is ahead you can kind of see why a need for the Chase and to make it more exciting at the end of the said Kenseth he had that big of a cushion at this point in the year he would be playing a little bit more conservative It spices things up at the end of the year If with a competitive team you certainly have a better chance to win a championship than with the old For the first part of 2007 it looked like Kenseth might be only shot at a title His win in California was the only win for a non-Chevy team in the See CHAMP Page 4 20 and 11 is as far as a competition standpoint But been really consistent and I think our cars are getting better as the season goes Kenseth one of only three drivers to qualify for the Chase in each of its first three seasons has now extended that streak to four straight seasons feel pretty comfortable about where at in the said Kenseth 35 just working really hard to get our cars better for the end of the year when it really Many people blame Kenseth for NASCAR inventing the Chase His rout in the 2003 point standings left little excitement towards the end of the season If the old points system was still in place Jeff Gordon would be cruising to a fifth series title Ironically the Steady Eddie have a thing on Steady Matt Two-time defending Sharpie 500 champion Matt Kenseth is one of the steadiest drivers in the NASCAR garage You have to look no farther than this point standings for proof Nearly all season the driver of the No 17 Ford has ranked either second or third in Nextel Cup points our car has been great but you always hope to do a little said Kenseth also the defending champion of Food City 250 Busch Series race car has been really reliable but we been at the spot where the 24 48 Birchfield i Continued from Page 2 Add in the of which produced a close finish in the March Food City 500 and there is the potential for the 2007 Sharpie 500 to be a classic But the Nextel Cup Series is not alone The more aerodynamic Busch Series cars in the Food City 250 and the Craftsman Thicks in the 200 could be just as exciting aassi DO Bristol Motor Speedway has advertised its events as the way it in recent years With the new track surface that slogan might have to be changed to even better than you thought if could STAT BRISTOE vmm Jeff Birchfield is a sportswriter for the Johnson City Press Contact him at jbirchfieldjohnsoncitypresscom Prims Phovcsrs flixmlators flouyenirs end Ifuch Kora! Autograph appearances by For a complete list of drivers and other attractions go to wvwfoodcltycom John Andretti 6-8pm Ken Schrader 12-2pm David Ragan 6-8pm Choice The Homestead (Sin Mar Jstaa Jshss Jam Islisr Click lalaa The Official Auto Club of Food City Family Race Night Cfart Tt East Your choice of one fruit crepe two hotcakes or two slices of French toast served with two eggs Bob Evans Sausage or bacon and home fries Tennessee Presented by: Named after Bob and Jewell Evans' original farmhouse in Rio Grande Ohio this classic meal includes all of your breakfast favorites: Bob Evans Sausage or bacon two eggs home fries a cup of creamy sausage gravy and two freshly baked biscuits InM Crcti kill IMtsa Jr trie KsSsn Casssj Iftt Iiiij lire RHiIilsMI MssssHiSiitetiCria fraftndliRpSei Cemeric CSattrs fist Un KS1 EiicrU iis Cow nf RSCI Ultimate Air Dogs Demonstration Times 1:30 25 Channel only yjsBVtdsr 3:00 4:30 6:00 7:30 Uomcstyle ChiktWi Menu $199 8 up 11:00 am pm Bruton Smith Building Front Entrance BMS Tower 9 Speedway Blvd Hwy 1 1 Whitetop Rd Hwy 394 Whitetop Rd Hwy 394 Copperhead Rd Bristol Mall Exit 1 oft Interstate 81 the Rage Exit 17 off 1-26 Boones Creek Rd AMnlPyMi 1 1 1 1 1 1 yyc fretnthe Coke Stage 4:1 5 8pm City a not noponaMo lot Ini memo sdiMua elungn madt dnvoa A i-M.