Las Vegas Sun

By Brian Hilderbrand · April 12, 2008 · 10:45 PM

Chad Knaus’ gamble on fuel that resulted in Jimmie Johnson’s victory proved once again why Knaus is the best crew chief in the NASCAR garage. Knaus and Johnson have the same chemistry that Ray Evernham and Jeff Gordon rode to 47 victories and three Cup championships in the 1990s. …

The battle between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin – who replaced Junior in the No. 8 Chevy – late in the race was one of the most riveting so far this season. Too bad both drivers had to pit in the final 12 laps for fuel and couldn’t continue their duel to the checkered flag. …

Apparently, fans and sports writers aren’t the only ones who are skeptical of some of NASCAR’s caution flags for “debris on the track.” Late in Saturday’s race, after he had taken the lead from Earnhardt Jr., Martin radioed to his crew chief that he hoped NASCAR wouldn’t throw “one of those bogus” yellow flags. …

Kudos to FOX for cutting away from the final out in the rain-delayed New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox baseball game to join the race telecast midway through the opening lap. The network blew it late in the race, however, when they broke away from the Earnhardt-Martin battle for a commercial marathon and missed Martin’s pass for the lead. …

At the beginning of the season, the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas offered a prop bet on how the Miller Lite car, driven by Kurt Busch, would fare this season against the Budweiser car, driven by Kasey Kahne. The Miller Lite car was installed as an 8.5-position favorite over the Bud car. Through eight races, Kahne is 11th in points -- six positions better than Busch.