I flipped over that finish

Was the finish of last Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway a microcosm of the entire Nextel Cup season?

So far, it looks pretty much that way, with the Roush and Hendrick teams battling for each win and everybody else pretty much grabbing what crumbs they can. And is Carl Edwards the real deal, or what? This kid can not only do back flips (something I have NEVER seen another Cup driver do in the 35 years I've been watching), but can drive the wheels off a race car. The moves he made on Jimmy Johnson on that last lap (on totally worn-out tires) were the stuff of legend, recalling battles between David Pearson and Richard Petty 30 years ago. NASCAR may have its faults, but if it can keep producing finishes like that one, the fans aren't going to care.

Miracles DO happen! I can't recall the last time the National Stock Car Racing Commission overturned a NASCAR ruling, but it happened last week. The Commission rescinded the suspensions of crew chiefs Chad Knaus (car No. 48) and Alan Gustafson (car No. 5) on appeal, although the 35 point penalty for the No. 48 and the 25 point penalty for the No. 5 will stand. The three-man panel of John Cooper, Jack Housby and Chairman George Silbermann apparently believed Knaus' and Gustafson's story that mechanical matters beyond their direct control led to the violations discovered at Las Vegas. They also argued that the violations discovered could not have improved performance. NASCAR president Mike Helton Sunday at Atlanta offered a veiled warning to anyone who might consider bending the rules, hinting that more severe penalties, including loss of finish position, could be applied in future cases.

Richard Childress apparently withdrew his appeal of the four-race suspension levied against the No. 29 Kevin Harvick car's crew chief Todd Berrier, who began serving that suspension last weekend at Atlanta.

CHAMPION GEARING UP

I attended the Champion Speedway driver/car owner meeting last Saturday to get some information on the upcoming season. Twenty-two race weekends are planned, all on Saturday nights, and there are some interesting twists to the schedule and the points scoring.

Legends will have 18 races, with a 19th tentative. The best 16 results will count for each driver's season points. Western Modifieds will race 10 times, with all 10 races counting. Hornets have 20 races scheduled, with the best 17 finishes counting toward points. Last year's Junior Hornet and Queen Bee divisions have been combined into the Stinger division.

Bandoleros will have eight race nights, and all races will count. The new Bomber division will have 20 races, all for cash, no points. Bombers will run last every Saturday night, with bumping, banging, and rubbing not only allowed, but encouraged.

Late Model Sportsmen are scheduled for a dozen races, and there will be no Street Stock division in 2005. This last development led to some heated discussion concerning who and what was legal to run as a Late Model Sportsman. The rule is that drivers must note any deviations from the published rules that their cars have. The cars will then be handicapped with the addition of restrictor plates and/or added weight to provide a level playing field. If a subsequent inspection reveals deviations that were not noted, penalties will be levied, including fines and loss of points.

There are also 14 special shows on tap, including 100 lap races for the California Sprint Cars and Super Late Models, as well as a couple of appearances by the Allstar Racetruck series, a race for the Northern Tour Late Models, and a tentative date for the Supermodified Racing League.

The track will host four test and tune sessions prior to the season opener on April 30. This coming Friday night (April 1) will be the first practice session, from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9, the track will be open for testing from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 23 will follow the same time schedule. Cost is $50 per car and every driver must purchase a track license in order to drive on the race track.

For the full 2005 Champion schedule, go to www.champion-speedway.com. Questions or comments should be directed to General Manager Les Kynett, 888-9777.