A crash at Bristol has left Kasey Kahne out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and in need of a great finish at California. (Photo: Geoff Burke, Getty Images) » More Photos

“It’s been a good season for us and I’m glad that we’re in a position to still make the Chase and have a really good shot at it,” said Kahne, who enters the weekend 56 points out of the 12th and final transfer spot for the Chase. “We’ve ran into some problems the last two weeks that set us back. I was looking at sixth in points and being able to get there (into the Chase). Now, we’re a little further behind. I’m just excited to be in the position that we’re in. I have a real legitimate shot at making the Chase and a great shot at running well this weekend. California is a good track for us and so is Richmond. I’m just looking forward to the challenge and seeing how it all works out.”

ACTIVE DUTY Aric Almirola will make just his 14th career NASCAR Sprint Cup start this weekend at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, but he has high hopes for his No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet. Last year at this race, the 24-year-old driver had been with DEI for only about a month after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing. Now, however, Almirola has a much higher comfort level. “Last year was kind of like a blur,” said Almirola, who is splitting duty with Mark Martin in the No. 8 this year, but will take it over full time in 2009. “So many things were happening so fast. I was just getting acclimated to Cup racing and my association with DEI. The confidence level is definitely a lot higher right now.”

A big part of the increased confidence comes from simply having a year under his belt with the team. “We have a great team chemistry and we all work well together,” said Almirola. “Tony (Gibson, crew chief) has done an outstanding job in making this team competitive week in and week out. I just want to go out there and run as hard as I can.”