Fuel mileage really does matter
Did you happen to see the finish of the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday? In a word, it was bizarre.
Not only did we get to see all of the final 67 laps under green - that's a full one-fourth of the 267 laps that make up the distance - but Tony Stewart won the race and didn't have a drop of fuel in the tank.
That's right. If the car had a gas gauge (and it doesn't) the needle would have been firmly on "E"
But it wasn't just Stewart that had a dry tank. Casey Mears, Kasey Kahne, and Tony Raines were all victimized when their fuel-extension gambles came up blank.
As crazy as the finish was, Stewart's gamble was something he couldn't have afforded to take if he were running among the Chasers. Had he been, there's no doubt he would've gone in for a splash of gas like points leader Jeff Burton did late.
But while Burton finished sixth, he added to his points lead, which is now 69 over Denny Hamlin and 70 over Mark Martin with seven races left in 2006.
To say Hamlin is amazing is putting it mildly. The pressure of the Chase would wreck mere mortals, but the rookie is totally oblivious to the whole circus. He's just out there going for the prize, and that's a darn awesome sight to see.
Next week, it's time for Talladega, where the Big One - a multi-car pileup - is lurking around any of the 33-degree banked turns. Martin fell victim to the Big One a year ago at the UAW-Ford 500. Jimmie Johnson did, too.
Should the Big One take out Burton, Hamlin, or Martin, those on the lower end of the standings may still have a shot at the title.
It's time for the fans to put their faith to the ultimate test.
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