Last weekend in Michigan rain cancelled Friday's qualifying session, leaving Jason Leffler and Tony Raines the odd men out. Since the majority of drivers outside the top-35 made the show, Friday afternoon nerves were spared as teams were able to focus on the race.

Michael Waltrip was able to get the job done last weekend, scoring a 23rd-place finish and earning five bonus points for leading a lap. Waltrip looked very impressive at various stints of the event, running in the top-10 and top-15. That, coupled with poor runs for Michael McDowell and Scott Riggs, bumped the owner/driver up two spots in the owners points to 34th and locked him into the show this weekend.

Penske Racing's Sam Hornish Jr. also had an impressive run at his home track of Michigan. Leading late and looking to be a contender, Hornish's day went south when he spun his No. 77 Dodge on Lap 199. The former open-wheel star's 22nd-place finish and five bonus points also moved him up two spots, further securing his spot in the field. Safely in the show at Infineon, Hornish can now focus on using his road course experience to move even further up the points ladder.

One team that is looking to turn its fortunes around out west is Haas CNC Racing. Since receiving a 150-point penalty, the No. 66 Chevrolet has been flirting with the top-35 cut-off week-in and week-out. After a disappointing run at Michigan, this team will once again be forced to make the show on time.

In an attempt to make the best out of a bad situation, this week Max Papis will climb behind the wheel of the No. 66, while Riggs jumps over to the No. 70. Papis is an experienced road course veteran and should bring some much needed help to this organization.

"I'm very excited to have this opportunity," Papis explained. "After testing for Hendrick Motorsports and developing more knowledge about the COT, I'm proud and honored to carry over that experience to the Haas CNC Racing program."

With so many road course drivers outside and around the top-35 cut-off, Infineon has the potential to seriously shake up the standings. With a rookie like Michael McDowell situated in 35th and with little road course experience, it would not be a surprise to see this team forced to make the show next week in New Hampshire.

Qualifying for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET on your local Speed Channel. Be sure to check back to HardcoreRaceFans.com for all the updates from the 1.99-mile road course all weekend long.