Chevy Rock and Roll 400 Speedway

NAPA RACING PRESS BOX FEATURING MICHAEL WALTRIP

Richmond is setting up to be an exciting showdown for several drivers who are hoping to make it into the Chase after this race. Who do you see as favorites?
"I would have to give it to Clint Bowyer. I think he can retain his spot in the top 12 because he won the spring race at Richmond. He always runs good at Loudon. He's solid on those types of tracks. Lurking as a wild card is David Ragan. He has been right there all year long. He's come a long way since last year when he faced a lot of criticism for being all over the place. He's proven himself this year. Then there is Kasey Kahne. He is a guy we know that is solid at Richmond. He's won there before. And just ahead of those three is Jeff Gordon. He is teetering on the edge. It is going to be an exciting event and it will be great to see what transpires between those four guys and just those two spots."

If Kahne doesn't make it in, should NASCAR look at doing something to make sure that all four manufacturers make it in the Chase?
"I don't think so. I don't think it will be a big deal. I think it would be unfortunate for Dodge, but the rules are so even now that it doesn't matter what you race. Kahne went on a roll back in the summer and was just burning the place up. Dodge also won the Daytona 500 and the All-Star race, so they just haven't been able to put it together on a consistent basis. So if they are not represented, there isn't anything NASCAR can do about it."

Speaking of manufacturers, do you like the new format of the Bud Shootout that was announced last week?
"I think it is a cool idea. NASCAR gets it. It's a special event. Hats off to NASCAR for thinking about making it a manufacturers' battle and race. The drivers and the teams have to take their manufacturer to victory lane. It will be a great night for the folks who support our teams to celebrate. NASCAR doesn't mess up very often, and I think they hit this one on the head."

• NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will qualify for his 715th NASCAR Sprint Cup race when the 26th event of the 2008 Sprint Cup season, the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, gets underway at the Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night.
• Waltrip will start in his 43rd race at the .75-mile track. His best start is second (Sept. 9, 1990) and best finish is ninth in the NAPA machine on May 14, 2005.
• During his Cup career at RIR, Waltrip has earned two top-10 and 21 top-25 finishes. His average start is 23rd and finish is 25th.
• Waltrip has completed 14,920 of 16,803 laps (88.8%) at the track and has led a total of 81 laps in competition.
• In Nationwide Series competition, he has one victory, 5 poles, 6 top-5 and 10 top-10 finishes.
• Entering this week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, Waltrip is 30th in driver points and 34th in owner points standings. Only five points separate owner points positions 31 through 34. Waltrip is only 56 points out of 30th. He is guaranteed a starting spot in Saturday's race. A total of 46 cars are on the entry list.

EVENT FACTS