But he has to get a waiver (to be locked in). Unfortunately, the Cup championship is worth more than an 18th place Indy 500 finish. I would hope NASCAR would grant it, but I have yet to see that they have (from an official source - I'd suspect that was part of the conversation Hendrick and everyone had though...perhaps even NBC got involved...even though they aren't doing the 600, they are doing the end of the Cup season). That is the only reason I said I was "shocked". Tony was geared up to leave in 01 when it rained, and Robby left the year before that; to go to Charlotte. I am aware the points for NASCAR are different now, and I addressed that in my post.