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NASCAR NOTEBOOK
by DON COBLE , Florida Times-Union
"I'm not really sure why everybody counts everything out," Martin said. "We it comes right down to performance you know you can't beat those guys, Jimmie Johnson and those guys. It's not over yet."
The 73-point separation is the difference of 15 total positions in the next two races.
Johnson has left Texas with the points lead in three previous seasons and he held on to win the championship. He led Carl Edwards by 106 points a year ago and won by 69; he was 30 ahead of Jeff Gordon in 2007 and won by 77; and he was 17 ahead of Matt Kenseth in 2006 and won by 56.
BIG MERGER LOOKING LIKELY
The talk of a merger between Red Bull Racing and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing seems to be gaining some traction.
Earnhardt Ganassi has been shopping for a new manufacturer since General Motors has reduced its support in NASCAR after taking money in government bailouts.
Red Bull Racing, with drivers Brian Vickers and Scott Speed, could benefit with two more teammates, including Juan Pablo Montoya. Toyota's TRD said it can't supply engines to any new teams, but Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said his organization easily could build engines for the new team.
Car owner Chip Ganassi has been looking at Toyota since his sports car team already has a deal with Lexus.
BIGGER, BETTER IN TEXAS
They really do things bigger and better in Texas.
Pre-race entertainment before Sunday's race included an hour-long concert with the legendary rock band ZZ Top and a performance by the TCU marching band.
Former space shuttle commander Doug Hurley landed with the Chevrolet pace car aboard a Chinook helicopter in the infield, and Hurley drove it off the helicopter for an honorary lap around the 1.5-mile racetrack.
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