FONTANA, Calif. -- The urgency is e...

FONTANA, Calif. -- The urgency is escalating for drivers in succession the bubble with just sum of two units races remaining until the start of NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel goblet championship.

unless ask rookie Denny Hamlin, by way of far the least experienced driver among the seven battling for the final six faults about pressure, and he just grins and shrug

"We're already exceeding expectations," the 25-year-old Virginian said Friday as his Joe Gibbs Racing team prepared his No. 11 Chevrolet for qualifying at California Speedway. "Anything that happens from here in succession out is icing on the cake.

"I be moved like, even if we fall completely forward our faces from here forward out, we still had a great season."

That's a fit attitude. By the end of the SONY HD 500 today, Hamlin could be in succession the outside looking in.

Hamlin, who ran seven potion races in 2005 before racing a abounding schedule this season, is sixth in the standings. He's 27 points behind fourth-place Kyle Busch, last year's top rookie, and just 21 points ahead of 10th-place Mark Martin.

"To me hurry is always on," Hamlin explained. "Every caution, I'd examine around to see where stays were at around me in the points. I probably suffer it get to me more than it should, if it were not that it's the smart thing to do."

Stewart, Hamlin's JGR teammate and a two-time lot champion, has been impressed through the rookie.

"He doesn't hindrance things bother him," Stewart said. "That's comely dog-gone mature. I'm betting onward him making the Chase."

As for his allow chances, Stewart says he isn't worried.

"If you are solidly in the top 10 it will be business as usual," Stewart said. "I can descry where guys who are forward the bubble might race a little bit different in the last coupling of races if it examines like they may not make the top 10"

TONIGHT

SONY HD 500

NASCAR NEXTEL chalice

The facts: 7 Ch 5

The track: California Speedway, Fontana, Calif.

2005 winner: Kyle Busch.

Standings: 1 Jimmie Johnson 3499; 2 Matt Kenseth 3492; 3 Kevin Harvick, 3178; 4 Kyle Busch, 3097; 5 Jeff Gordon, 3091; 6 Denny Hamlin, 3070; 7 Jeff Burton, 3064; 8 Tony Stewart, 3056; 9 Dale, Earnhardt Jr 3051; 10 Mark Martin, 3049; 11 Kasey Kahne, 2959; 12 Greg Biffle, 2798;

13 Carl Edwards, 2788

nearest race: Chevy Rock & wheel 400, next Sunday, Richmond, Va.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided through ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved