Childress to run 4 cars

Car owner Richard Childress said he plans to field a fourth car next season even with sponsor Jack Daniel's leaving after this year. Who will drive, though, is unclear. Childress hasn't exercised the option on Casey Mears' contract. That's not surprising since the sponsor approves the driver and with no sponsor, a team is likely to wait. Mears ranks 20th in the points heading into today's race at Dover International Speedway with three top-10 finishes in 27 starts.

"He's done a good job for us," Childress said. "Naturally, you want to run better, but we want all of our cars to run better and we're working on it. We've got them running better the last several weeks. As all of them have stepped up, he's stepped up as well."

Childress isn't the only owner committed to remaining in the sport after losing a sponsor. Robby Gordon said he'll race next year even with Jim Beam announcing this week it will leave after this season. Gordon said Jim Beam was a primary sponsor for 12 races, but he's found another company to sponsor four of those next year.