Jon Wood said last week that he wasn't competing in the Sprint Showdown (for drivers not already in the all-star race) because he didn't meet eligibility requirements. He wasn't in the top 50 in points on March 10.

Funny thing is that neither was Chad McCumbee, yet he'll be driving for BAM Racing (with help from Petty Enterprises) in the Sprint Showdown.

So why is McCumbee in and Wood out?

Consider it a NASCAR mistake. [1] Check out the link. Short story is a failure to communicate within NASCAR's offices. It's a tough break for Wood who could use a couple of extra days of track time with this event to prepare for next week's Coca-Cola 600 when he'll have the pressure of trying to qualify (the Wood Brothers are not in the top 35 in car owner ponits) and be sponsored by the Air Force on Memorial Day weekend.

# For those who keep score: Humpy Wheeler, president of Lowe's Motor Speedway, picks Carl Edwards to win the All-star race. Wheeler has been right 10 of the last 19 years. Picking Edwards isn't a stretch considering his three wins this season have come at tracks 1.5 or 2 miles in length. Lowe's Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile track.

# Tickets for next year's Daytona 500 go on sale Saturday. Tickets can be purcahsed by going here [2].