Penske: We have to get in the Chase

Roger Penske made it perfectly clear after Kurt Busch won the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
"We have to get in the Chase," said Penske, owner of the two-car Penske Racing team of Busch and Ryan Newman.
Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge for Penske Racing, is the 12th place driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series standings. Newman, who drives the No. 12 Dodge for Penske, is 14th. Busch has been hot of late, winning two of the past three races. Newman has posted some respectable finishes, but lost a spot in the standings after the Michigan race.
Penske was confident if Busch makes the Chase, he will be a factor in the championship. He's not so sure about Newman's team.
"I think the No. 12 car has run real well (Tuesday)," Penske said. "They had something on the side window which got him a lap down. To me, both cars have run real well. He almost won the first Pocono race. He is up in the points. Everyday it’s hard to judge which one is better from the standpoint of one day’s result."
Penske said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the next three races. He believes he will have at least one car in the Chase. Ideally, he would like both, not only for his team, but for all of Dodge. It looks as though Penske's drivers are the only ones from Dodge who have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the Chase.
"The good news is these last two have just been absolutely key for us," Penske said. "To get Dodge in that Chase will be a real important thing for us. We have been a partner of Dodge for a number of years. One of our best friends and business associates Bob Nardelli is now the CEO. For him it’s a great day. Hopefully he can continue that success inside the company.”