Speaking of school, the new Chase for the Championship begins next month in the Nextel Cup Series. We’re all going to have to learn how the new points system will work out this year.

Here’s a quick refresher. All drivers who are top-10 in points are eligible for the Chase for the Championship. After the Richmond race on Sept. 11, the top-10 will be set and locked in with only five points separating each position. Right now, Dale Jr. is a guaranteed lock for the championship battle.

So, the driver in 10th place will now only be 45 points behind the leader when the 27th race starts at New Hampshire on Sept. 19. Through the next 10 races, the points will be awarded just like they have been all season. When it comes down to the last race at Homestead on Nov. 21, the one with the most points - wins.

In case you’re wondering, there is no such Chase in the Busch Series. The regular points system that has been used will be in place. As you are reading this Martin Truex, Jr. and the No. 8 Chance 2 Motorsports team lead the points battle.

Paul Menard has had all top-20 finishes in his first three races in the No. 11 Menards Chevrolet since coming on board. The team is starting to gel and working together better and better each week.

Tony Stewart will be driving a No. 81 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the Busch Series at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 21 for Chance 2 Motorsports just like he did last year. In that race, Tony led the most laps before Mother Nature showed up and cut the race short just after he pitted.

Here’s something you’re hearing first – Dale Jr. will be driving a No. 81 Menards Chevrolet in the upcoming Busch race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday night, Aug. 27. This will be his last Busch race of the season and it’s guaranteed to be a good one under the lights of the half-mile, high-banked oval. In five Busch starts there, he has one pole, five top-10 starts and three top-five finishes.

Be sure to check out the September issue of Men’s Journal for an article featuring Dale Jr. and the Gillette Young Guns. And, later next month you can watch Martin and Bono Manion go fishing on the Outdoor Life Network. (Time and date TBA)

As far as what’s going on at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., we have two more of the Dale Earnhardt Legacy Chevrolet Show Series left for this year. On August 21, the Early Chevy Iron show will be held at corporate headquarters for all 1912-1954 passenger cars and wagons. It does exclude 1953 and 1954 Corvettes and Chevrolet Trucks.

Sept. 11 will be the day for Chevy Trucks from 1912 – 2004 and include several of Dale Earnhardt’s trucks from personal collection. There will also be a special 9/11 ceremony that day for all who attend or participate. The best part is that it’s free to all spectators who want to come out and see the cars.

If you have a car or truck, or just want to see them, check out the Legacy Show Series page on the website for more information.

We’ve started a new feature on the website - Weekly Polls. This is your chance to vote for various aspects of Dale Earnhardt’s career, where you think Dale Jr. will finish in the points, where Michael will get his first win and a variety of other topics. We post the Weekly Poll each Wednesday under the Fan Zone section of the website. You can only vote once, but be sure to check back to see who agrees, or disagrees, with your choice of that week.

We also have some new items in the E Store for those who like collect die-cast cars. The hot one right now is the No. 8 Taco Bell Chevrolet that Martin Truex, Jr. drove to his first Busch Series victory at Bristol in March. You only get to win your first race once, so this is a must-have on many collectors’ list.

Be sure to check out the E Store for the No. 15 Stars and Stripes car Michael drove at Daytona in July. You’ll also find the No. 81 KFC Chevrolet Dale Jr. drove during the Busch race at Daytona in July, as well.

If you’re coming to visit us at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. we’re still featuring the Dale’s Legacy at Daytona in our Retail Showroom. Where else can you see four Daytona 500 trophies at once? One is from Dale’s 1998 win, Michael’s in 2001 and 2003 and Dale Jr’s from this year’s race.

Okay, that’s it for this month. Be sure to log onto the Weekly Poll in the Fan Zone and cast your vote, check out the E Store, the new Tony Stewart/Bass Pro Shops video on the Multimedia Page and many other items.