3 and 5: Significant Digits

The numbers three and five carry plenty of weight in the world of motorsports. Put the two together, and you get 35 — the desired location for Red Bull Racing’s two Toyotas in the Nextel Cup car owner standings.
Three alone can mean a podium finish in open-wheel racing, whether it be at Eldora or Monaco. It also was the car number of the late Dale Earnhardt. Two threes side by side reads 33 — the amount of cars that make up the 11 rows of three in the Indianapolis 500.
Five, despite being two digits behind, is just as significant. Brian Vickers earned Red Bull Racing’s first top-five finish in May at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Five is the number of bonus points earned for leading a lap, and 55 mph is usually the maximum speed allowed on pit road.
And then there’s 35 itself. In 2008, the top 35 from 2007 will determine the starting lineup for races. And that rule — you guessed it — lasts for the first five races.
If you’re keeping score, Brian sits 40th in owner points — 443 points out of the top 35. AJ Allmendinger is 47th. A lot or work to do with 17 races remaining, and the climb continues at Indianapolis.