"Tony Stewart in many ways is one of the guys who has helped me out the most," Reutimann said.

Reutimann is in 13th place in the Cup point standings, only six points behind Mark Martin. The top 12 drivers through 26 races qualify for the Chase.

R. Gordon's mood change

 

Robby Gordon's smiles over his third place in the Coca-Cola 600, his best finish since a fifth at Watkins Glen 2 years ago, were short-lived.

NASCAR yesterday penalized Gordon with the loss of 50 driver and 50 owner points after officials found Gordon's No. 7 Toyota had equipment in the rear housing that does not conform to NASCAR rules.

Kirk Almquist, Gordon's crew chief, was fined $50,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

AUTISM SPEAKS 400

 

Dover International Speedway

Dover, Del.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday

TV/Radio: Fox/WNPV (1440-AM), WDSD (94.7-FM)

Race course: 1-mile oval

Race distance: 400 laps/400 miles

Last year's race winner: Kyle Busch

Last year's pole winner: Greg Biffle, 155.214 mph

Track qualifying record: Jeremy Mayfield, 161.522 mph (June 2004)

Track facts: Carl Edwards was runner-up in last year's race; Greg Biffle was third. Biffle won the fall race at the track . . . Edwards has finished in the top three in the last five Dover races . . . Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin have the most wins (four) at Dover among active drivers . . . Twelve different drivers have won the last 12 races at Dover . . . Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 19th in points, 203 points out of the 12th and final Chase qualifying spot . . . Clint Bowyer's 36th-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 dropped him four places, to 17th in points.

Wins: Kyle Busch, 3; Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin, 2 each; Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, David Reutimann, 1 each.