RIDING WITH … Dave Blaney

October 26, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Today: NASCAR’s top series is in suburban Atlanta for the Pep Boys Auto 500. Qualifying Friday was washed out, meaning the starting positions will be set by owner points. Blaney will start in 33rd position. The race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on ABC (33).

Last week: The Hartford native had a pretty good run on the short track at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the TUMS QuickPak 500. Blaney started in 33rd position (based on owner points standings since qualifying was rained out) and finished in 22nd, two laps off the pace of winner Jimmie Johnson.

Season to date: The Buckeye Bullet remains in 31st place in the Sprint Cup series points standings, but he’s moved closer to 30th place Reed Sorenson. Blaney is just 22 points behind Sorenson.

Staff report