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Points leaders have mixed history at Michigan

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	• Lugnuts • On the track • In the pits • Stop 'n' Go • Finish Line

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

Winston Cup roars into Brooklyn, Mich., this weekend, bringing a mixed bag of history for the points leaders.

Points leader Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, currently in third place, both have one win and five top-5s in this race since 1992. Ricky Rudd, second in points (194 behind Gordon), is the odd man out -- only one top-5.

However, as with most Cup races, the best action may be back in the pack. Bobby Labonte (eighth in points) and Mark Martin (12th) are the undisputed top drivers on the 2-mile, 18-degree banked oval. Labonte and Martin both have two wins and three top-5s in the past nine Pepsi 400s. Labonte won this race in 1995 and '99, while Martin's victories came in 1993 and '97.

Even more karma on the side of Labonte is the fact Joe Gibbs Racing is the last team to sweep Michigan (1995). Only five teams have won both Michigan races in one year: Holman-Moody (Bobby Allison in 1971), Wood Brothers (David Pearson in '72, '76), Ranier Racing (Cale Yarborough in '83), Melling Racing (Bill Elliott in '85-86) and Gibbs (Labonte in '95).

Gordon and Rudd finished 1-2 in the Kmart 400 in June. It was the 100th career victory for Hendrick Racing. Oddly, the team's two wins at Michigan have been posted by Gordon and Rudd (Miller 400 (now Kmart 400) in 1993).

Rusty Wallace Riding with four fresh tires, Wallace took the lead with 15 laps to go and steadily pulled away to win the Pepsi 400 last year. Bobby Labonte Eight of 31 pole-sitters (26 percent) have won the Pepsi 400, the last being Labonte in 1995. Harry Gant After starting 24th in the 1992 Champion 400 (now Pepsi 400) Gant took the checkers, the worst starting position for any winner. Todd Bodine Winless in 69 races dating to 1997, Bodine held off Michael Waltrip by 0.192 seconds for the victory in last year's Busch race.

Flattery Robby Gordon held his tongue -- for the most part -- after a fire ended his day prematurely at Watkins Glen. For those questioning his maturity, chalk this one up in the plus column. Flag Rusty Wallace's crew failed to secure a hose while installing the race-day motor. That mistake led to the engine seizing up. As a result, Wallace finished 43rd (the second time in four races he's finished last). Flattery Defending Global Crossing champ Steve Park started 37th at The Glen and fought his way to his 10th top-10 finish of the season. He is currently 11th in points with a win and five top-5 finishes. Flag Three "road-course specialists" -- Anthony Lazzaro (34th), Robby Gordon (40th) and Ron Fellows (42) -- were among the bottom-feeders. The best finish by a driver-for-hire: Boris Said (eighth).

Jeff Gordon won his record seventh road-course race, breaking a modern era tie with Rusty Wallace and Bobby Allison. All-time, Richard Petty also won six times on serpentine courses. Scott Riggs raced to his fourth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win of the season in dominating fashion, leading 131 of 150 laps in the Federated Auto Parts 200. Kyle Petty made the field at Watkins Glen (qualified 18th) and finished 39th. He had failed to qualify for two of the previous four races, including the Brickyard 400. Kevin Harvick leads Greg Biffle by 163 points (3,368-3,205) in the Busch standings. Harvick has a series-leading four victories this year, including the series' last event (Kroger 200, in which he held off Biffle for the checkers).

Busch Series: NAPAonline.com 250 -- Friday, qualifying, 1:15 p.m.; Saturday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.). Truck Series: Sears Craftsman 175 -- Friday, qualifying, 2 p.m.; Saturday, race (ESPN, 5 p.m.). Winston Cup Series: Pepsi 400 -- Friday, qualifying (CNNSI, 3 p.m.); Sunday, race (TNT, 2 p.m.).

Excuse me while I try to get Roger Miller's King of the Road out of my head. No, that's not Roger Miller. That's Jeff Gordon. -- L.M.S., Austin, Texas I want the FOX crew back! These NBC guys are lame. And what is all this stuff about Tony Stewart needing to tone it down? We need a couple more like him and Jimmy Spencer just to keep NASCAR honest. Keep it up, guys! -- Ron, Jacksonville, Fla.. No more D.W. or Larry McReynolds -- yeah! That 'fine time to leave me loose wheel' comment was uttered by Mike Joy more than 10 years ago. -- Jason, West Branch, Iowa NBC's coverage is garbage. NBC's ability to cover NASCAR is akin to Vince McMahon's ability to run a football league. Now let's hope NBC goes the way of the XFL. They are just bad. -- Kevin, Orlando, Fla. I hope next time Tony Stewart gets pushed below the yellow line, he does what NASCAR wants: a big wreck for ratings! -- Don, Portage, Mich..

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