Playing it safe at Bristol not an option for drivers

Goal is to win, not protect points

ATLANTA — The drivers still in the running for the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup have a gauntlet to run this weekend — the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a race known for bumping and banging that can cost losers lots of points.

Kevin Harvick, who is eighth in the standings with three races left before the 10-race Chase, said on this week's NASCAR teleconference that despite drivers' concerns about points, the Bristol race likely won't be any different than in years past.

"That's almost funny to hear somebody say that because I don't know that there is a tame race at Bristol," Harvick said.

Watkinsville driver on bigger stage

John Wes Townley of Watkinsville was set to make his Nationwide Series debut today at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Townley is running the full ARCA series this year and is eighth in points. He also has made four Craftsman Truck Series starts, with a best finish of 18th at Milwaukee.

Edwards on verge of locking up spot

So far, points leader Kyle Busch is the only driver to have secured a spot in the 12-driver Chase field, but four others could join him this weekend.

NASCAR statisticians calculate that Carl Edwards, winner of two of the past three races, can clinch a Chase berth if he finishes 25th or better, finishes 27th and leads at least one lap or finishes 30th and leads the most laps. Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton also can secure spots in the playoffs.

Unadilla native David Ragan is 14th in the standings, but only 26 points behind Denny Hamlin, who is 12th.

Etc.

The Indy Racing League's hottest driver, Scott Dixon, has signed on to race in the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Oct. 4. Dixon, the Indy 500 champion and a six-time IRL winner this year, will drive an Acura fielded by open-wheel veteran Gil de Ferran. Dixon, de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud will share driving duties in the No. 66. ... NASCAR team owner Larry McClure isn't losing his longtime car number after all. Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman announced last week that Newman would drive a No. 4 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing next year, but when Stewart learned that McClure wasn't done with the No. 4, he switched Newman to a No. 39.

Area update

Rookie T.J. Reaid of Acworth got his first-ever Georgia Asphalt Series victory on Saturday at Senoia Raceway. He's the eighth different GAS winner in the past nine races.

Andrew Pollard of Senoia won on Friday at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla. Fayetteville's Ricky Williams took the Late Model feature at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, where the Bill Ingram Memorial 50 will be run this weekend.

Lanier National Speedway will present the "Night of Destruction" highlighted by a demolition derby on Saturday.

Rick Minter writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.