There used to be a radio talk-show host who owned several Boston terriers, and his trademark description of the frenetic behavior of his dogs was that it was like "dumping a bucket of ping-pong balls on a tile floor."

That description could also be applied to the point standings for the drivers in the Chase after Sunday's race at Dover. Just one driver in the top 12 - Kyle Busch - maintained his position at fifth. The remaining 11 drivers all swapped spots, moving up or down depending, of course, on how they faired in the race. Jeff Gordon is now in sole possession of first place, though the top four drivers are separated by just one point each.

At press time, we are awaiting the announcement of possible penalties against the winning team, Roush-Fenway's No. 99 car piloted by Carl Edwards, after the vehicle failed the height sticks in post-race tech. NASCAR is adamant that this was not a COT infraction - meaning a modification to the actual body of the car - which precedent suggests would require a mandatory deduction of 100 points. Nonetheless, NASCAR's reputation for consistent inconsistency leaves the penalty issue up in the air. The car was confiscated at Dover and has been transported to NASCAR's research center in North Carolina for further dissection.

This Sunday, the Cup circuit treks to Kansas Speedway, a 1.5-mile D-shaped oval with relatively flat banking. Pundits compare the track to Chicagoland, as both were built by the same company and share similar, though not identical, characteristics.

Kansas Speedway is one of handful of racetracks that currently hosts just one Cup race a year while many others, like Dover last weekend, host two. It is a relatively new track, especially compared to a historic venue such as Darlington, which held its first NASCAR race in 1950. Kansas Speedway's first Cup race was in 2001, a mere six years ago - do the math, and at one race per year, that adds up to just six Cup races in the history of the track to consider in picking your favorites for this race.

Drivers - and no doubt many fans - are pleased to note that Kansas is not a Car of Tomorrow race, after three straight weeks of the boxy beast at Richmond, New Hampshire, and Dover - eliminating the question of which teams have been performing well in the COT from the equation for this weekend's race. Since there have been only six races at Kansas Speedway in the history of the Cup series, it is an easy task to name all six winners. Starting in 2001 and proceeding year-by-year through 2006, the victors are: Jeff Gordon (the first two races), Ryan Newman, Joe Nemechek, Mark Martin, and, most recently, Tony Stewart.

Overall, Chevy's have won four of six times at Kansas, with Ford and Dodge scoring one win each. No driver has taken the checkers from a starting spot deeper than 21st, which is where Stewart won from in 2006. Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick, both Chase contenders, have a prior Busch Series win in Kansas.

Stewart leads all drivers with an average finish of 6.5, including his 2006 win and a series-leading five top 10s. Jeff Gordon has led the most laps at Kansas with 169, followed by Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman, among full-time drivers with more than one Kansas start. At press time, Stewart is favored by odds makers at 5-1, followed by Gordon and Johnson, both at 6-1. Stewart will be competing in Saturday's Busch race as well which may give him an added edge on the track Sunday.

Coming off his best finish of the year, a second at Dover, Greg Biffle is an intriguing dark horse prospect, currently with 40-1 odds. Biffle finished second at Kansas in 2005 after leading 47 laps and third in 2004, leading 64 laps. The 16 team is hungry for a win before the year is out and hopes to carry their Dover momentum to Kansas.

Track position, pit strategy, and overall handling are the most important variables in winning at Kansas, making Matt Kenseth a driver who shouldn't be overlooked. Crew chief Robbie Reiser excels at making the right calls in the pits and adjusting the car as the race progresses. Kenseth has led 85 laps at Kansas overall and has a rare (for him) pole there in 2005. Though his average finish of 20th is nothing to write home about, last week's disappointing DNF at Dover after dominating much of the race will provide an added incentive to get back on track this week.

With all 12 Chase drivers still within the 161-point margin of maximum points that can be earned in a single race, Sunday could prove to be another "ping-pong balls on the tile floor" day for the title contenders.