Atlanta entry list - 51 cars

[Jonesi]

List is up at Jayski. Of 50 full time teams, Kenny back in 21. Bill Elliott back in 37, Brandon Whitt #72 who hasn't qualified in three races, not shown. Scott Wimmer in #33 "development" RCR car makes first start of year, with teammates running well in 3rd & 6th,, should probably make the race.

[blakebeatty]

hope mikey packs his napa/speedtv golf shirt

[Jonesi]

I think the irony of his Napa commercial with Sammy Hagar singing "I can't drive fifty-five!" is going to haunt him.
I think he needs to get out of the car. Not because he can't drive it anymore, but because he can't put the +60 hours a week into properly running a modern multi-car startup team AND drive. I don't know who he would put in the car, there's really no experienced veteran who knows the tracks and can get in the car and put a solid qualifing lap in (Ginn hired them all ;-)

[slorydn1]

I think the irony of his Napa commercial with Sammy Hagar singing "I can't drive fifty-five!" is going to haunt him.
I think he needs to get out of the car. Not because he can't drive it anymore, but because he can't put the +60 hours a week into properly running a modern multi-car startup team AND drive. I don't know who he would put in the car, there's really no experienced veteran who knows the tracks and can get in the car and put a solid qualifing lap in (Ginn hired them all ;-)

Terry Labonte could always "un-retire"...

Maybe Rusty Wallace could get the "itch"

[Jonesi]

Terry Labonte could always "un-retire"...
Maybe Rusty Wallace could get the "itch"

Of the +40 group, Rusty has always been the one adamant that once he retired that was it, no limited schedule, nothing.
I don't think Terry can help much in this case. He's still got it enough, if you give him a decent mid pack development car, he'll produce solid performance from it or tell you what's wrong. He's no longer at the stage that if you give him a unsorted car, with limited practice time (due to low in points) will pull the belts tight and get 105% in a bonzai qualifing lap. Terry might be the guy to send to Kentucky or Nashville with a test team and stay there until they get the car right.
I KNOW! He's got the talent, some experience (pole at Daytona), he's hungry and crazy enough, BORIS!

[Osella]

I KNOW! He's got the talent, some experience (pole at Daytona), he's hungry and crazy enough, BORIS!

Hell yeah! ;)

[Jonesi]

Grid
12 RYAN NEWMAN
19 ELLIOTT SADLER
48 JIMMY JOHNSON
01 MARK MARTIN
24 JEFF GORDON
43 BOBBY LABONTE
40 DAVID STREMME
5 KYLE BUSCH
49 MIKE BLISS
10 SCOTT RIGGS
41 REED SORENSON
9 KASEY KAHNE
20 TONY STEWART
99 CARL EDWARDS
07 CLINT BOWYER
42 JUAN MONTOYA
2 KURT BUSCH
1 MARTIN TRUEX JR
13 JOE NEMECHEK
18 J.J. YELEY
17 MATT KENSETH
8 DALE EARNHARDT JR
15 PAUL MENARD
00 DAVID REUTIMANN
16 GREG BIFFLE
70 JOHNNY SAUTER
38 DAVID GILLILAND
14 STERLING MARLIN
21 KEN SCHRADER
11 DENNY HAMLIN
83 BRIAN VICKERS
31 JEFF BURTON
96 TONY RAINES
25 CASEY MEARS
22 DAVE BLANEY
29 KEVIN HARVICK
26 JAMIE McMURRAY
6 DAVID RAGAN
7 ROBBY GORDON
45 KYLE PETTY
66 JEFF GREEN
88 RICKY RUDD
44 DALE JARRETT

DNQ
33 SCOTT WIMMER
78 KENNY WALLACE
37 JOHN ANDRETTI
4 WARD BURTON
34 KEVIN LEPAGE
36 JEREMY MAYFIELD
84 AJ ALLMENDINGER
55 MICHAEL WALTRIP

[BobbyC]

If DJ keeps up and moves into the Top 35 in Nextel Cup owner points, then the provisional disappears, as #44 becomes an exempt team after Bristol if they stay in the top 35.

[Jonesi]

If DJ keeps up and moves into the Top 35 in Nextel Cup owner points, then the provisional disappears, as #44 becomes an exempt team after Bristol if they stay in the top 35.

It will be close, after three races he's only into the "top 35" by 12 points. Even in 20th Joe N in #13 isn't that safe to move up to "top 35" then its: #70 J Sauter & #14 S Marlin.
Right now last year "top 35" drivers in a hole are: #9 K Kahne, #10 S Riggs, #22 D Blaney & #21 Schrader or Wood.
I would not be surprised if by 7th or 8th race a couple of the 50 full time teams cut back their schedule and regroup.