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Many NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, at least the ones who weren't racing in the Craftsman Truck or Nationwide series last weekend, spent a final weekend at home with their families.

From now until Nov. 16, when the Sprint season ends, there will be no more breaks. The season becomes a grind to the finish. The drivers and crews that handle it best will have a chance to win a championship.

"These are the most important races of the season," said Clint Bowyer, who's one spot out of the 12-driver Chase field. "We've come this far for these last 17 races. I'm looking forward to it. These are the ones that count. The importance of these last 17 races is what keeps you focused and honed in on the task at hand."

Bowyer did what he could to get a rest before the stretch drive. He raced in the Nationwide event last weekend near St. Louis but then spent four days in Cabo San Lucas with no plans but to relax.

The second half of the season is really two segments – the next seven races and the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup. But the last 10 races won't matter much for some drivers if they don't perform well in the seven upcoming events, starting with Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There's still time for some to bump their way into that Chase field and for others to fall out.

No one, except maybe the invincible Kyle Busch, is a lock to get in the Chase. But the top five drivers are all more than 200 points out of 13th place, and all have at least one win. Never in the four-year history of the Chase has a driver in the top five with seven races left failed to make the Chase field.

But the next seven drivers shouldn't get too comfortable yet. Jeff Gordon, in sixth place, is only 128 points ahead of Bowyer in 13th.

All of those drivers must avoid bad finishes to stay in Chase contention. For some of the biggest-name drivers, this should be the time to shine.

Jimmie Johnson, the best second-half driver the last few seasons, had two wins and five top-fives in the seven races before the Chase in 2007. Tony Stewart, still looking for his first victory this season, won twice and had four top-fives in the seven-race sprint to the Chase. Gordon, also without a win in 2008, tends to pick up his pace down the stretch. He won twice in the Chase in 2007, finishing second to Johnson.

The time for relaxing is over.

Corpus Christi native Terry Labonte will drive the No. 10 Charter Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports on Aug. 3 at Pocono Raceway. Labonte, 51, will substitute for Patrick Carpentier, who is racing in the Nationwide Series event in Montreal that weekend. ... Cam Strader is the new crew chief for JR Motorsports' No. 5 NASCAR Nationwide Series car. Strader replaces Chad Walter, who resigned.

Rankings include drivers from all professional racing series and are based on wins, trends, contributions to the sport and not just driving ability. (Rankings from previous week in parentheses.)

1. (1) Kyle Busch (NASCAR): Looking for eighth win of the season this week at Indy

2. (2) Lewis Hamilton (F1): Won German Grand Prix to keep the points lead

3. (3) Scott Dixon (IndyCar): Third at Mid-Ohio keeps him first in the standings

4. (5) Tony Schumacher (NHRA): Beat Dallas native Brandon Bernstein to win again

5. (4) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR): No top-fives at Indy in his career

6. (6) Felipe Massa (F1): Third at German Grand Prix; four points behind Hamilton

7. (7) Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR): Won at Indy in 2006 on his way to the title

8. (8) Kimi Raikkonen (F1): Remains third in the driver standings

9. (9) Greg Biffle (NASCAR): Can his recent momentum continue at Indy?

10. (NR) Ryan Briscoe (IndyCar): Won at Mid-Ohio after falling back to 17th at one point

Home cookin': Carl Edwards' Nationwide win in suburban St. Louis came on his hometown track.

Penske power: Team Penske drivers finished first (Ryan Briscoe) and second (Helio Castroneves) at Mid-Ohio.

Frontrunner: Valentino Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP World Champion, won the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Sarge surging: Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher won at Seattle, his seventh Top Fuel victory of the season.

Wrong way: After working his way up the standings, Robert Kubica is 10 points back after two poor races.

Not happy: Danica Patrick had a post-practice spat with Milka Duno, then finished 12th at Mid-Ohio.

Bob Stallings slipping: His No. 99 Gainsco Pontiac had clutch problems and fell further behind in the points race.

No Force: John Force didn't qualify for the NHRA event at Seattle for the first time since September 1979.