RPM.ESPN.com takes a look at what went down in the racing world this past weekend.

	Winning is good. Just ask Mr. McMurray.

Biggest surprise: Tony Raines finishing sixth at Rockingham on Sunday -- his first top-10 of the season -- though we've been impressed with how that team has performed this year despite the lack of sponsorship. They normally don't run up front, but Raines is able to mix it up a bit. And check out this string of finishes in the last seven races: 31, 26, 25, 23, 18, 19, 6. That's moving in the right direction.

Biggest non-surprise: Matt Kenseth wrapping up the Cup title by not winning, but rather overcoming a poor starting spot and working his way though the field. His style won that team a championship. It's only appropriate that he clinched by doing what he's been doing all season.

And, of course, Ryan Newman's pole. To his credit, this easily could be listed under general amazement, as well. And to all of the Newman-doubters out there, fuel mileage has absolutely nothing to do with winning a pole.

Biggest disappointment: Ken Schrader. Looked to be on his way to a top-10 finish -- which would have been his third of the year -- before late troubles relegated him to a 36th-place finish.

Also, Sunday's Pop Secret 400 in general. Too many cautions, too many cars encountering bad luck (see below) or creating their own bad luck. Not exactly the exciting title-clincher one might hope for.

And Scott Riggs. Instead of maintaining his Busch points lead, a wreck gave him his first DNF of the year and dropped him fifth in the standings with one race remaining.

Gutsy move: Bill Elliott and Ray Evernham putting the No. 9 car in Victory Lane for Elliott's first win in 15 months. With no finishes worse than 14th in the last nine races, it's clear Awesome Bill can still get the job done. Here's to hoping he sticks around for another year. Also, teammate Jeremy Mayfield (finished third at The Rock) scored his eighth top-12 finish in the last 11 races. Finally, Evernham's got his stuff totally together.

Boneheaded move: Mayfield. Sure, he wanted the spot from Kenseth near the end of Sunday's race -- and Kenseth should have moved over sooner -- but Mayfield might have been a bit too aggressive around the points leader.

Also, Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman, with more blame falling on the No. 24. Play nice, boys.

Redemption: Sterling Marlin. Not so much redemption, really, as it is a minor turnaround. In a recent six-race span, Marlin had five finishes of 22nd or worse. In the five races since, Marlin's had four finishes between 10 and 16. After a relatively disappointing '03 campaign, this team could use the solid finish that Marlin and Lee McCall are building.

Random stat: 89 and 39. 89 points separate the top six drivers in Busch points with one race to go, while the top four in the Trucks series are separated by just 39 points.

Random thought: How many cars were caught a lap down because they short pitted? Yes, Rockingham eats up tires, so getting a new set on as soon as possible can be an advantage. But it's also a short track that has its share of cautions. Granted, there were more than usual this past weekend, but the reward did not make the risk worth it on Sunday. Only 10 cars finished on the lead lap -- largely due to ill-timed cautions.

General amazement: Mr. Kenseth. First, he pulls off a nifty save when Tony Stewart hit him from behind. Then he dives off pit road and avoids dropping a lap. Either incident could have cost him double-digit spots, meaning he'd be battling Jimmie Johnson and Co. for the championship at Homestead.

Also, Kenny Bernstein. He just tore up Top Fuel during this his second farewell tour. Have to wonder whether a two-car, father-son team ever crossed his mind.

And Johnson. His finishes in the last five races? Third, second, third, third, second. And only one finish worse than 11th in the last 12 races.

Quote: "Things certainly don't look as dark to me today as they have the days preceding and the years preceding." -- No. 17 car owner Jack Roush after Kenseth won him his first Cup championship.

Photo: Check out the photo of the week. Kenseth's moment.

Tell us what you think: Share your thoughts with us about the weekend's action.

 
Your full name:     
Your e-mail address:   
City and state/province: 


Your comment: