The progression has begun for the NASCAR Nationwide Series' new car.

Michael Waltrip Racing announced Monday that Mike Bliss will attempt to qualify and race the No. 00 Toyota in the Sprint Cup Series Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. Bliss follows Kenny Wallace and A.J. Allmendinger with the same agenda of repositioning the MWR team inside the top 35 owner points standings.

Jimmie Johnson more or less runs things at Lowe's Motor Speedway, considering his past success at the track. Therefore a top-10 finish at the "house that Jimmie built" seemingly is no longer acceptable for the driver with six victories at the North Carolina track.

Jimmie Johnson more or less runs things at Lowe's Motor Speedway, considering his past success at the track. Therefore a top-10 finish at the "house that Jimmie built" seemingly is no longer acceptable for the driver with six victories at the North Carolina track.

For Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch, for one night at least, it was like old times. Better times.

For Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch, for one night at least, it was like old times. Better times.

For Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch, for one night at least, it was like old times. Better times.

Despite Jimmie Johnson's fast start to the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Jeff Burton hasn't been willing to concede the trophy to the two-time defending champion.

Once Carl Edwards lost a lap after getting caught on pit road during a caution, he radioed his team to boost their spirits.

The right side of the racecar looked like it had been wiped by a wide paintbrush, blending all the blues and yellows and oranges into one indiscernible stripe. The impact with the outside wall was remembered in a series of dents and ridges extending from the vehicle's nose to its rear quarter panel, resulting in something that looked less like a collection of sponsor logos and more like some twisted attempt at modern art.

Kyle Busch's staggering numbers just got better.

This week marks the final open week of the season for the NASCAR Nationwide Series. But for seven teams, an extended stay at Lowe's Motor Speedway following the Dollar General 300 comes before any leisure time.

From NASCAR's standpoint, the feud between Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick is over.

Unilever, a multi-national company that owns more than 400 of the world's most recognized food and home care brands, will be a primary sponsor for JR Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolets in 10 Nationwide Series races in 2009 (watch video).

Unilever, a multi-national company that owns more than 400 of the world's most recognized food and home care brands, will be a primary sponsor for JR Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolets in 10 Nationwide Series races in 2009 (watch video).

If you see Elliott Sadler clinging to his mother a little tighter on pit road Saturday, know there's a good reason. If you see a protective gaze across his face, understand there is purpose.

Having previously won both points races in a single season at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and having already won both the non-points Sprint Cup All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 last May at the track, Kasey Kahne already has his name etched on a couple of elite lists.

Shoving matches with Kevin Harvick aside, at least Carl Edwards can rest easy that his Roush Fenway Racing teammates have, albeit somewhat grudgingly, forgiven him for wrecking them during the closing laps of last Sunday's Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Carl Edwards has a lot going on, as if chasing Jimmie Johnson for a Sprint Cup championship wasn't enough.

The last time the Nationwide Series raced at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May, Joey Logano was a bystander. At the start of the race weekend, he was too young to compete in NASCAR. By the time the checkered flag waved, he was 18; a week later, he made his series debut in Dover.