ON DECK: Rooting for somebody in a Chevy

Those who know me won't believe it when they read what I'm about to write, that I'm pulling for a Chevrolet in this weekend's Chase race, the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville.

But it's true.

Actually, I'm not pulling for the Chevrolet, but rather the driver of the No. 51 car, A.J. Allmendinger.

The driver who failed a random drug test in June will be making his third start in the James Finch-owned, Phoenix Racing ride.

What's significant about this is Finch didn't drop Dinger and go with Regan Smith, who was originally scheduled to replace Kurt Busch, who was the team's driver up until three races ago.

Smith, you see, is out of a job after stepping in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. for two races, while Junior sat out with a concussion.

Dinger apparently impressed Finch enough to get another ride in Finch's car. And that speaks volumes for a driver who I believe deserved another chance.