Short Laps

1 This week Joe Gibbs Racing will make it official: The organization will jump from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2008. The move will bring a huge infusion of cash to Gibbs and raise Toyota 's profile in Cup racing. In '07, its first season on the circuit, Toyota backed three teams but has no drivers among the top 30 in points; in Tony Stewart , Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin , Gibbs will have three drivers capable of winning a title.

2 By winning the Sharp AQUOS 500 on Sunday night in Fontana , Jimmie Johnson (above) is assured of at least a share of the top seed when the Chase starts in Loudon, N.H., on Sept. 16. Johnson , the defending champ, is sixth in the point standings but has a series-leading five wins—after the regular season all 12 Chase contenders begin with 5,000 points, plus 10 bonus points for each victory.