1. Tony Stewart  Phone conversation this week: “Maybe we’ll talk about that third car for next season if you work with me this weekend, Brad. Thing is, if I force you below the yellow line, just go on down there … please don’t hold you’re ground.”

2. Jeff Gordon  No truth to the rumor that the American Chiropractic Association will split sponsorship with DuPont on the 24 next year.

3. Jimmie Johnson  If Tony Eury Jr. is to be credited with the improvement Jimmie made on the road course a couple weeks ago, it seems a no-brainer to bring him on board this weekend.

4. Kurt Busch  Enduring himself to Hendrick Motorsports drivers one week at a time. Junior, you’re next!

5. Mark Martin  Fuel mileage bug dropped Martin from top 5 to 14th at Loudon. Looks like that old Martin luck that we all know and love is back.

6. Kasey Kahne  It sure would be cool to see The King in Victory Lane at Daytona again. No pressure, though, Kasey.

7. Kyle Busch  What was that? An apology?! C’mon Kyle, we expected better of you.

8. Carl Edwards  Word is Edwards purchased a full suit of stormtrooper body armor from George Lucas specifically for this weekend’s Daytona event.

9. Matt Kenseth  Kenseth trashed two cars during Speedweeks before winning the 500 in a third back-up. I’d steer clear of him during practice on Thursday.

10. Greg Biffle  Daytona not the place Biffle wants to see after a pair of frustrating runs. Unless it comes down to fuel mileage, of course.

11. Denny Hamlin  Denny’s rookie teammate now has more wins than him on the season. Who’da thunk it?

12. Ryan Newman  Expecting good things from Newman and his teammate at Daytona. Of course, if they get separated he’s also got some guys named Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt and Martin that may dance with him.

13. Juan Pablo Montoya  “C’mon Coach Gibbs, forget about that Danica pipe dream … Pick me, pick me!”

14. David Reutimann  If every race came down to a fuel or rain strategy, Reutimann would be your next Sprint Cup champion.

15. Joey Logano  Sliced Bread ran like Melba Toast until Zippy buttered him up with a what-have-we-got-to-lose call at New Hampshire.

Just off the lead pack: Marcos Ambrose, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr.

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