Five of the 10 drivers in NASCAR’s Chase for the Nextel Cup compete for Roush Racing. One of those drivers, Matt Kenseth, said teamwork still applies within the Roush empire.
“Each guy that is in wants to win it and run the best for themselves, but yet, if we can’t win it, we would certainly want a teammate to do it, keep it in the organization if possible,” Kenseth said in Tuesday’s teleconference. “So we’re still working together same as we always do.”
Eight of 10 races remain in NASCAR’s playoffs, including Sunday’s UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The following race is at Kansas Speedway, where Kenseth and Roush teammates Mark Martin and Kurt Busch tested Tuesday.
“And all the crew chiefs have been talking back and forth and the drivers trying to figure out what we can learn,” Kenseth said. “So none of that really has changed.”
Jimmie Johnson of four-car Hendrick Motorsports sits atop the standings. He is the only Hendrick driver in the Chase, and undoubtedly receives the best of his team’s resources.
“There maybe are things that could pop up in the next eight weeks that could be a little advantage because they have only one car in,” Kenseth said. “For example, if Jeff (Gordon) is leading the race and lets Jimmy lead and get the points because he is not in, things like that.
“But I think as far as the testing and sharing information, I think it would be the same whether the cars are all in the chase or none of them are.”
Denver’s own fined
Joe Garone, crew chief for the Denver-based No. 78 Furniture Row team that made its Nextel Cup debut Sunday at Dover, Del., was fined $1,000 by NASCAR on Tuesday for using an unapproved fuel cell in the race.
Veteran Kenny Wallace drove the No. 78 Chevrolet to a 34th-place finish. He started last (43rd).
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
