News-Record.com

First off, I'm last out of six teams after six weeks. That's what starting Bobby Labonte, Dale Jr. and Ryan Newman will do for you.

Last week, with Kyle Petty on my active roster instead of B. Labonte, I managed the third-highest score of the week. The problem: I was up against someone who had the best score that week. (He or she started Stewart, Mark Martin and Rusty. Grr.)

This week, I'm feeling pretty good about my team. Newman has the pole, Junior has won at Texas before, and Bobby Labonte starts a not-too-bad 22nd.

This week's issue: My opponent is countering with a Roush-Roush-Hendrick lineup of Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson. The only glimmer of hope is that Biffle will run in backup car Sunday.

Wish me luck.

Oh, and don't miss Dustin Long's Sunday story on caution flags. (Hint: You're not imagining things.)

Gotta bolt - the Busch race is on soon.

Sunday update: Here is the Dustin Long story I promised. The lead:

A combination of more accidents and NASCAR's version of spring cleaning have extended caution periods and lengthened Nextel Cup races this season.

Drivers have run more than 18 percent of all laps this year with the yellow flag waving. That's the highest percentage in a decade for the season's first six races. Those cautions also have prolonged Cup races by 10 minutes -- they now last an average of 3 hours and 32 minutes -- compared to last year's events.