Darlington poses callenge for point leader

            DARLINGTON, S.C. - The next challenge for Sprint Cup point leader Kyle Busch? Why, Darlington, of course.

            Busch, coming off a victory at Talladega and a controversial runner-up finish at Richmond, has seldom prospered at Darlington Raceway, the most difficult track on the schedule and site of Saturday night's Dodge Challenger 500.

            Though he's only competed here at the Cup level three times, Busch's average finish at the 1.366-mile track is 22.3, the worst of any driver currently in the top 12 of the point standings. The only drivers in that list who have ever won at Darlington are Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, each with two victories.

            Lurking just outside the top 12 is last year's winner, Jeff Gordon, whose victory in last year's race was his seventh at Darlington.

            NASCAR's oldest superspeedway has been repaved, which should increase speeds and perhaps make crashes more common.

"The Darlington we all love is still here," said Gordon. "I'm really excited about the race this weekend. The track is smooth and super-fast, but it's the same Darlington. They did a fantastic job. The track is unreal, and I had a blast during the test.

"The bumps aren't there and you're going much faster, but you run the same line you always have and the track has the same characteristics."

            Qualifying is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., followed by the Diamond Hill Plywood 200, a Nationwide Series race, at about 7:20.

What a difference

            Gordon, as noted above, is 13^th in the season standings, though only six points behind Kasey Kahne. The difference in his performance, as compared to the same point in the 2007 season, is dramatic.

            In the first 10 races a year ago, Gordon finished outside the top 10 once. This year it's happened six times. He'd won twice at this point and led 652 laps. This year he's winless, with 184 laps led.

            Given the championship format, Gordon needs only to make the top 12 in order to make the Chase. Still, Darlington is an obvious place to get a rally started. Only David Pearson (10 wins) and Dale Earnhardt (9) have won more races at the track.

            Darlington is also notable for the absence of other prominent drivers from its victory lane. Tony Stewart has never won in 15 Darlington Cup tries, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is zero-for-13 and Kevin Harvick is zero-for-11.

"You see only a handful of guys who religiously run well here," said Stewart. "That just shows you how difficult Darlington is to get a handle on."

Too tough? Bah!

            The only Dodge driver to win so far at the Cup level, Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman, loves the Darlington challenge.

"It's always been my favorite track because you're always adjusting," he said. "You adjust to the tires, the bumps, the character of the track, and the fact that you're running right next to the wall is challenging. It's the most challenging track we have, and that is why I enjoy it the most.

"Racing-wise, Darlington isn't the perfect race track. To me, it's my favorite race track to drive, but you're not going to see anyone racing three- and four-wide at Darlington. ... It's going to be easier to stay out front because it's difficult to pass here. It's always been a give-and-take track. ... We'll have to adjust our speed and how the cars handle here with this new pavement, for sure."

One car

            Though Clint Bowyer leads the Nationwide Series standings by nine over reigning champion Carl Edwards, the car that leads the owner standings belongs to neither.

            Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 20, to be driven in tonight's Diamond Hill 200 by Stewart, leads owner points by 107 over Richard Childress's No. 2 (Bowyer).

            Split between JGR's Nos. 20 and 18, Stewart, Busch and Denny Hamlin have combined to win seven Nationwide races already.

Might just help

            Nationwide Series regular Marcos Ambrose thinks the changes at Darlington might just enhance the level of competition.

"I think, definitely this time more than most tracks, because it's brand-new and even the super teams haven't really had a lot of running here," said Ambrose. "It might spice up the action a little bit.

"It might change the order somewhat. Who knows? Depending on what teams get it right and what teams get it wrong."

Fun facts

            Childress's Sprint Cup team has three drivers - Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Harvick - in the top five in points. ... Darlington's latest "facelift" - new pavement, additional SAFER barriers, a new infield-access tunnel, changes to pit road - cost $10 million. ... Darlington is NASCAR's second oldest track but the oldest paved track. Martinsville began as a dirt track.

            You can reach Monte Dutton at mdutton@gastongazette.com.