Kurt Busch moves up
Kurt Busch finished ninth in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at California Speedway. He moved up a spot in the Cup standings, from 12th to 11th. But he is still not a lock to make the Chase, which starts on Sept. 16 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
He needs to finish 32nd or better at Richmond International Raceway next weekend, the last race before the Chase starts, to earn a berth in the Chase.
"I feel pretty solid," said Busch, driver of the No, 2 Dodge for Penske Racing. "You know, there's a guy behind us now to give us a little bit of cushion. We're only 20 points out of the next spot and 40 points out of ninth, so it's going to be an interesting race in Richmond. But for us, we feel like our short track program is where it needs to be."
Busch has been hot of late, winning two of the past five races and climbing into Chase contention. His race at California Speedway was the latest in an impressive string before the Chase starts. But Busch said other drivers have been better.
"I don't feel like we're the guy to beat," Busch said. "There's plenty of good competition. It's just, week in and week out, you have to be strong. Ninth place finishes will do it in the long run, but you've got to pick up those wins along the way."