THIS WEEK'S RACE

Dodge Avenger 500

Darlington Raceway

Darlington, S.C.

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

TV/radio: Fox/WXTU (92.5-FM), WNPV (1440-AM)

Race course: 1.366-mile oval

Race distance: 367 laps

Last year's race winner: Greg Biffle

Last year's pole winner: Kasey Kahne, 169.013 mph

Track qualifying record: Ward Burton, 173.797 mph (March 1996)

Track facts: Jeff Gordon has won the most races (six) at Darlington among full-time active drivers. Dale Jarrett is next, with 3 W's . . . Gordon was runner-up in last year's race; Matt Kenseth was third . . . The mood is brighter at Penske Racing: Kurt Busch has consecutive top-five finishes; Ryan Newman (19th in points) has back-to-back top-10s . . . Jamie McMurray's 41st-place finish at Richmond dropped him six places, to 13th in points.

Wins: Jimmie Johnson, 4; Jeff Gordon, 2; Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, 1 each.

Up next: NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, May 19, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C., 7:30 p.m.; TV: Speed.

NEXTEL CUP STANDINGS

Last WeekSeason

StandingPoints Margin

1. Jeff Gordon. . . 11691-

2. Jimmie Johnson. . . 41480-211

3. Matt Kenseth. . . 31431-260

4. Denny Hamlin. . . 51359-332

5. Jeff Burton. . . 21352-339

6. Kyle Busch. . . 81229-462

7. Tony Stewart. . . 61225-466

8. Kevin Harvick. . . 91203-488

9. Kurt Busch. . . 101198-493

10. Clint Bowyer. . . 111159-532

11. Carl Edwards. . . 121131-560

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr.. . . 131118-573

13. Jamie McMurray. . . 71099-592

14. Mark Martin. . . 171038-653

15. Greg Biffle. . . 161037-654

16. Elliott Sadler. . . 151022-669

17. David Stremme. . . 141009-682

18. Bobby Labonte. . . 201001-690

19. Ryan Newman. . . 24998-693

20. Martin Truex Jr.. . . 18987-704

- Bill Fleischman