BUSCH IS HENDRICK'S PHENOM.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK MOTOR SPORTS

If Hendrick Motorsports is the New York Yankees of NASCAR, then Kyle Busch is its Robinson Cano.

Jimmie Johnson is the star, the Derek Jeter of the team, winning races with relative ease and finding moments to shine at almost every event.

Jeff Gordon is the seasoned veteran, the Bernie Williams, still capable of turning in a six-RBI game or a clutch win at Infineon Raceway, as the case may be.

But Busch, the little brother of Kurt Busch, the phenom turned favorite, has quietly worked his way into the top 10 and a spot in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Chase for the Championship.

There are still two races to go -- Sunday at California Speedway and next weekend at Richmond International Raceway -- before the Chase starts. Busch is fourth in points, and theoretically could fall out of the top 10 in the next two races.

But in all likelihood, Busch, who won the first race of his Cup career last year at California Speedway, will be in the Chase with his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Johnson and Gordon.

And like any good, young ballplayer, Busch has taken the time to learn everything he can from his more experienced teammates.

``I think the biggest thing is watching Jimmie and how he races,'' Busch said. ``I mean, you look at him, he's been successful for every season that he's been in the Nextel Cup series. He's finished in the top 10 in points. So he definitely knows a little bit about how to race and how to go about it, how the season plays out and how to work with it.''

Busch said he is impressed with the number of championships Gordon has won and how he has won races at different types of tracks.

``He's been a very smart racer over the years,'' Busch said. ``He's won four championships himself. You know, he's always been probably one of the best overall racers that I've ever seen as far as his adaptability to all of the different racetracks.''

If Busch makes the Chase, it will be his first time in it. This year is only his seco nd full season in the Cup Series, but he expects to be a contender when the Chase starts. When asked if he should be considered a favorite to win the Cup championship, he said: ``Heck, yeah, you better.''

``No, just kidding. I think we've got a legitimate shot at it,'' he said. ``We've got a very strong team. I'm very confident with my guys that they can prepare good enough race cars where we can head into the racetrack with a solid top-10 car. And, you know, it just comes down to these final two races to solidify ourselves in there.''

Moving up the NASCAR ladder

David Gilliland won the pole for the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, race at California Speedway last year.

But Burney Lamar won the race when Gilliland's transmission blew just after the midway point of the race.

What a difference a year makes.

This year, Gilliland will be in Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race for Robert Yates Racing and Lamar will be in Saturday's Busch Series race for Kevin Harvick Inc.

``It's a dream come true for me,'' said Gilliland. ``As a driver, it's what you always work hard to try to achieve.''

Gilliland and Lamar, who spent portions of their careers racing at tracks throughout Southern California, like Irwindale Speedway and Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, have moved up the ladder in NASCAR development.

Mike David and Eric Holmes are the stars of the West Series now. David leads the West Series standings by five points over Holmes.

But with the West Series race on the same weekend with the Cup and Busch Series drivers at California Speedway, there is a chance some of them will enter Friday night's race.

``The big deal is going to be the car count,'' said Steve Portenga, driver of the No. 77 King Taco/Signco Ford. ``That can help the points battle and it can hurt the points battle. I think it's going to help in this situation, if we can run well.''

Portenga is fourth in points and 84 behind David with three races to go.

``One of the situations that got us in the position we're in was Sonoma, where we finished 33rd,'' he said ``We lost an engine there.''

Portenga said he needs a good finish at California Speedway to get back in the championship race.

``This year, we've put ourselves in a points situation,'' Portenga said. ``We not only want to win, but we also need to win. We have to come out of there doing well.''

This is the second year for the West Series to compete under the lights at California Speedway. The race will be televised live in high definition on HDNet. In addition, a replay is set to air on SPEED Channel on Sept. 14.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) Kyle Busch, right, gets some words of encouragement from older brother Kurt following practice last week in Bristol, Tenn.

Wade Payne/Associated Press

(2) no caption (race cars)

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

- Associated Press

(2) Etc.