Hello Angels,

I don’t know about you all, but I’m starting to like this “playoff” NASCAR Nextel Cup points system.  There are two races left after Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, and four drivers are within 48 points of the championship.  Dale Earnhardt Jr., jumped two spots in the standings after winning the race using the yellow-green-checkered overtime lap, although he really didn’t need it. Jimmie Johnson fell two spots into fourth place in the standings, but still within striking distance at 48 points behind leader Kurt Busch. Jeff Gordon moved up one spot to second place, just 41 points behind Busch.

For the record, Earnhardt was very careful not to make a slip-up with his mouth in the post-race interview.  So, no points controversy to talk about.

What I do want to talk about is our race for the Segment III Charlie’s Angels’ Fantasy League championship race.

Before the points for this week’s Checker Auto Parts 500 are added in, Mr. X has a healthy lead, but Dylan has the best shot out of everyone to challenge him. That said Dylan, be careful because Thin Man is lurking a not so distant third behind you.

Speaking of points, lets see how we stack up in the 34th race of the season.

UnNamed One, your drivers normally do well between them, but unfortunately this week they collectively had a horrible day.  Elliott Sadler pretty much eliminated his chance at winning the NEXTEL Cup Championship after slamming the turn four wall and sitting out for 62 laps. He finished 38th. Matt Kenseth eliminated himself from the cup championship with his blown engine and 36th place finish. Dale Jarrett, who’s not in contention for the championship, finished in 22nd place. Ricky Rudd finished 19th, with your best driver Greg Biffle finishing 13th. Your average finish this week is a very disappointing 25.6.  

Bosley, unfortunately for you as well, your drivers had a miserable day as well, save for one…Earnhardt, who won the race. Sadler finished 38th, Carl Edwards, who has been phenomenal since taking over his ride, finished 37th after having to change out a blown radiator. Casey Mears was having a phenomenal day, but cut a tire and slammed the wall to bring out the final caution of the day and led to the red flag stopping the race and then the yellow-white-checkered flag situation to end the race. Mears finished 34th. Busch maintained his overall championship lead with his 10th place finish, overcoming a mis-handling car all day. Your average finish is a disappointing 24 even.

Mr. X, here’s where you left the door open for Dylan to catch you. Edwards finished 37th, while Jamie McMurray finished 24. Martin slid back one more championship spot to fifth place overall after his 15th place finish on Sunday. Joe Nemachek finished 12th, while your top driver, Johnson, finished sixth overall. Your average finish is 18.8.

Our next three Angels share a tie for our eighth place spot today.

Kris, Sadler and Edwards finished 38th and 37th respectively, while Nemachek finished 12th. Your remaining two drivers, Earnhardt and Ryan Newman, finished first and second respectively.

Madison, you keep trying to redeem yourself, but your drivers just won’t let you do that. Edwards and Mears combined to be your worst drivers with their 37th and 34th place finishes, while Martin finished 15th to be your middle man. Gordon finished third with Earnhardt as your and the race’s top driver in first.

Corwin, your worst driver is Mears, who finished 34th. Your remaining drivers, Busch, Biffle, Martin and Rudd, finished 10th, 13th, 15th and 19th respectively.

All of your average finishes is below average at 18 even.

Sabrina, Robby Gordon helped cause the red-flag stoppage on the final laps of the race when his engine blew on lap 307. He finished 35th. McMurray finished 24th and Scott Riggs finished 14th. Your top two drivers are Tony Stewart in eighth place and Johnson in sixth place. Your average finish 17.4.

Julie, Edwards is your worst driver this week with his 37th place finish. Jarrett finished 22nd, with Rudd three spots ahead in 19th. Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman finished third and second respectively. Your average finish is 16.6.

Thin Man, your worst two drivers this week are Edwards and Mears with their 37th and 34th place finishes respectively. Other than that, no worries for you with Johnson’s sixth place finish, Jeff Gordon’s third place finish and Earnhardt’s win. Your average finish is 16.2.

For me, Edwards was my worst driver with his 37th place finish. Jarrett finished 22nd, with Nemachek finishing 12th. Johnson and Jeff Gordon were my best drivers with their sixth and third place finishes respectively. My average finish is just that…average at 16 even.

Kelly, your worst driver this week is McMurray and his 24th place finish. Brian Vickers finished 18th, while your remaining three drivers all finished in the top-10. Bobby Labonte led the race at one point, but could “only” muster a ninth place finish. Stewart finished ninth, while Earnhardt won the race. Your average finish is way above average for today at 12 even.

Dylan, you most likely have taken a big chunk out of Mr. X’s lead with your drivers’ performance on Sunday. McMurray and his 24th place finish makes him your worst driver. Jarrett finished two spot higher in 22nd, while your remaining three drivers, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick and Earnhardt finished fifth, fourth and first respectively. Your average finish is 11.2.

Jill, that leaves you again to be our TOP ANGEL AWARD winner for the Checker Auto Parts 500 on Sunday. Unbelievably, Nemachek is your worst driver with his 12th place finish. Your remaining drivers finished third, fourth, fifth and sixth. They are Jeff Gordon, Harvick, Kahne and Johnson. Congratulations on your incredibly low TAA winning average finish of six even.  J

Don’t forget to go to the ESPN.RPM Stock Car Challenge Web site to see where you stack up overall against the other Angels.

Next week’s race is the final running of the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. 

Good luck next week Angels,