As haulers head to Bristol, some on pins and needles

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- As far as Cup Series racing goes, this weekend is put up or shut up time, at least for a week, for a good number of people.

By Sunday evening, we'll know who the 35 guaranteed starters for race No. 6 in the Cup schedule will be.

But first, let's make one thing perfectly clear. Anyone making attempts in Cup racing is racing their proverbial guts out to make something happen: Whether it's to make a race, sign sponsorship or simply to gain credibility.

And that's something that's worth a lot of credit. Shoot, good credit is probably something a lot of these guys will need in a huge supply, whether they made the first five races or not. But that's a story for another day.

Having said that, this weekend's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway marks a critical moment in the 2009 season. Anyone who'd been "taking a free ride" based off 2008 owner points -- whether they accrued them themselves or got them through some back-room deal -- has to be in the top 35 based on 2009 merit when the series goes to Martinsville in a week-and-a-half.

Chip Ganassi, Dietrich Mateschitz and Max Jones, are you listening? But that's rude; because of course these car owners are aware.

It's a cinch that Aric Almirola, Scott Speed and Paul Menard, the drivers of cars 8, 82 and 98, respectively, are not only paying attention, but they're sitting on a chair lined with 10-penny nails, never mind pins 'n needles.

Despite having guaranteed starts for the first four races, they sit outside the top 35 in owners' points heading to Bristol, ironically in 36th, 37th and 38th, respectively. (Continued)