RIR Notes: Earnhardt gaining momentum

Kurt Busch (2) has had mixed results in the Sprint Cup Series at Richmond International Raceway, including getting involved in this pile-up last May at the track.

Earnhardt gaining momentum, confidence

It's been an up-and-down season for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but he gained some momentum after a second-place finish at Talladega on Sunday. Earnhardt moved up four positions in the points standing to 15th, currently 45 points out of the top 12.

"I'm not sure what's going on with Earnhardt," said ESPN analyst Andy Petree. "I know that some other top drivers are struggling, but right now I'm not sure if Earnhardt can make the Chase."

Earnhardt hopes to gain even more confidence during tomorrow night's Crown Royal Presents Russell Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Richmond has been one of Earnhardt's most successful tracks. He's posted three wins, eight top fives and 10 top 10s there.

"I like Richmond a lot. We always run good there because it's a lot like Myrtle Beach, where I ran a lot in the late models," said Earnhardt, who last won at RIR three years ago. "There's a lot of similarities. But I just like short-track racing.

"We seem to do really good on the short tracks. It's got a lot of different grooves that you can run. You can move around. I think it puts on one of the more exciting races of the season. It ranks right up there as some of the best."

Busch back on top

Kurt Busch, piloting the No. 2 Dodge for Penske Racing, is back on top of the point standings for the first time since March 13, 2005. The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has a five-point lead over four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon.

Busch moved up two spots in the standings last week following his sixth-place finish at Talladega, his sixth top-10 showing on the season. Busch has had mixed success at Richmond. In 16 career starts there, he has one win (Sept. 2005), two top fives and five top-10s, but only an average finish of 19.1.

"I really enjoy racing at Richmond," Busch said. "Both of the races there are pure excitement. They call Richmond the 'action track.' We can race low, we can race in the middle or you can race in the high groove. There's always some good action on the racetrack at Richmond."

Newman hits stride

Admitteldy, Ryan Newman was lacking in confidence after a shaky start this season. It appeared he wouldn't put his No. 39 Chevrolet in the Race for the Chase mix. But a third-place performance at Talladega has bolstered his confidence.

Newman has moved up to 13th in the point standings and is now just 30 points outside the top 12. Newman started slow this season, with four straight finishes outside the top 20. Only six races ago, Newman was 32nd in points.

Truck driver suspended

Wesley Lane, a crew member for the No. 90 team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, has been suspended from the next six NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events and all NASCAR activity until July 1 for rule violations at Kansas Speedway.

Lane was found to be in violation of Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 3-5 (permitting someone else to use your NASCAR License). Lane has also been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. -- Ralph N. Paulk