Kvapil, however, still is scratching his head over his performance a week earlier in New Hampshire.

It might be a case of "woulda, coulda, shoulda" but his 181-point deficit in the race for the 2007 title might be much smaller.

Kvapil and Roush Fenway Racing teammate Erik Darnell ran identical setups at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Darnell finished second; Kvapil 18th - a difference of 57 points.

Kvapil must concentrate on finding a way to make the Skinner-Hornaday title race a three-way struggle. Each leader has suffered a mechanical failure over the past three races.

"I tell you what, coming into tonight, I didn't think we had much of a shot.  You never give up hope and you never know what can happen in six or seven races," said Kvapil, who's 108 points and four positions closer to the lead since reeling off four wins among seven top-five finishes since May 26.

"We're going to continue to run up front and try to win races.  If they have a bad day here and there, I think we'll be right there in the hunt by the time we get to Homestead."