by Lee Spencer

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With only two of seven Toyota drivers making the field for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and Dale Jarrett's champion provisionals running out after the race at Martinsville, don't be surprised if Elliott's phone isn't ringing off the hook in the next couple of weeks. Elliott won the title in 1988 and would be the next available champion locked into the show.

CAR OF TOLERANCE

NASCAR told teams this weekend that the variances on the Car of Tomorrow will be less severe than initially expected.

NASCAR template manager Billy Berkheimer said because teams don't have the same inspection grid as NASCAR, it would be impossible to hit all the hard points even though the engineers and fabricators have blueprints and CAD files. The body grid has 17-connected templates that resemble a giant claw that fits over the top of the body. On the nose and tail is a combination of 21 templates that are also interlocked and not available to the teams.

"There are areas that are zero tolerance," Berkheimer said. "We decided that giving the teams one-eight of an inch in non-aero critical areas was not a big deal. We can work with an eighth or a 16th of an inch, but we're not going to let teams push it to a quarter."

There are several variables that come into play. NASCAR wants some wiggle room to make the COT as competitive as possible before the Chase for the Nextel Cup — where COTs will be run in half of the events. Only after NASCAR locks in on the final dimensions will grids be released to the teams. One area of tolerance NASCAR has to take into consideration is the windshield. On hot days, the Lexan glass can expand by more than an eighth-inch that could offer false readings.

FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED?

Richard Petty Driving Experience signed a multi-year agreement with NASCAR that will promote both the racing school and the sanctioning body through a business-to-business relationship. NASCAR will use the Petty Driving Experience in a variety of ways but primarily as hospitality and to promote new business.

"There are two great must-do experiences in our sport — going to a NASCAR race and experiencing what it's like to drive an authentic NASCAR Nextel Cup race car," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR V.P. of licensing and consumer products. "The Richard Petty Driving Experience makes this unforgettable experience happen for thousands of people every year, and NASCAR is proud to be associated with this first-class organization."

Lee Spencer is a senior NASCAR writer for FOXSports.com. Talk racing with Lee at her NASCAR blog.