In Bakersfield, California, Elliot Sadler took the checkered flag in Sunday’s NASCAR event, while Joplin’s Jamie McMurray finished fourth. It was good enough to move him up to 11th in the standings and just 25 points out of tenth place. The top ten drivers after next week’s race in Richmond, Virginia will be eligible to win the championship, which will be determined over the final 10 races. Rusty Wallace of St. Louis—who announced his intent to retire after the 2005 season—finished 10th, but was officially eliminated from the points race. Ken Schrader of Fenton finished 33rd.
