MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- As everyone talks about Jimmie Johnsons incredible record at the next three racetracks and Kevin Harvicks dominance at Phoenix, Kyle Busch is simply going about his business at Martinsville Speedway.Youd think the defending Sprint Cup champion, a driver who has achieved significantly better results in the Chase this year than he did in his championship season, would have the focus on him entering the Chase semifinal round of Martinsville, Texas and Phoenix.And thats before one remembers this small fact: Busch won at Martinsville earlier this year. Texas, too.In short: The buzz isnt around Busch, but it would be silly to discount his chances in this 2016 championship hunt, almost as silly as NASCARs seeding system -- best finish in any race of the previous round -- that has Busch ranked eighth among the eight remaining Chase drivers.If theres a lock entering this round in the Chase, maybe it should start with the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 car, that he will win one of the next three races or will finish high enough in points to earn one of the four bids to compete for the championship at Homestead.Bad fortune [could get us], Busch said when asked about what would keep him out of contention at Homestead. Thats about it. As far as where we feel like of were capable of running, I dont see any reason to why we should not advance.Busch said that more matter-of-fact than with any cockiness. The facts back him up: He finished a combined 49 spots better in the Chase in the first five races this year than he did a year ago. For the record, he said it doesnt seem as if he is running any better, that he had some bad fortune in some races in 2015. But just as he did in 2015, hes doing enough each week to advance to the next round.These guys do a really good job -- [crew chief] Adam [Stevens] does a great job leading them -- in not letting us get too worked up in certain situations and just performing the way that we need to, Busch said. Weve got our ideas of what our goals should be set, and we just try to go out there and achieve them.The goal is to repeat as the Cup champion. Buschs weekend goal is to win races, which he has accomplished only once since the May race at Kansas.Maybe the fact he has won just once in the last 22 races (albeit a big win at Indianapolis) has quieted talk of Busch winning back-to-back titles and keeping the spotlight on the drivers who either win more or win to avoid elimination. The three-race, elimination-style format that resets points to make remaining drivers even at the start of the final three rounds also tends to silence talk about Busch going back-to-back. Despite being tied for the most wins this year with four, he has the same number of points as the seven other Chase drivers entering Martinsville.[The format] takes the vibe away a little bit, said Busch about how his going for a second consecutive title has run under the radar. I would say that were not as flashy as some other teams out there are able to be.I look at [Kevin] Harvick for instance. When their backs are against the wall, boom, they get it done. I give them all the credit in the world. It shows theyre championship capable. Us? We havent shown that type of capability. We havent needed to go out there and win a race like that, but we havent shown that, either, in just normal races.So can he get flashy, if needed?I dont know, Busch said. We havent had to be.Busch was certainly flashy enough early in the season. In addition to his wins at Martinsville and Texas in the spring, he finished fourth at Phoenix. Last year, he advanced to Homestead with finishes of fifth, fourth and fourth at Martinsville, Texas and Phoenix.We just need to get through this round the same we did last time, Busch said. It would be nice to win one.And it would certainly be sweet to repeat. Part of it comes from the desire to do things that people say drivers cant.It would [mean something] because a lot of people have said this format is so unpredictable that there is no way that a back-to-back could happen anymore, Busch said. Of course it can.You have to have the right circumstances. And you have to win Homestead two years in a row. Well see how it comes together and where we stand the Sunday after Phoenix. C. J. Cron Twins Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Tom Kelly Twins Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. https://www.cheaptwins.com/192t-kent-hrbek-jersey-twins.html . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kirby Puckett Jersey . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Sam Dyson Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady isnt interested in answering any questions about Donald Trump.The Patriots quarterback was asked at the end of his weekly news conference Wednesday about how he would respond if his kids heard Trumps version of locker room talk.Brady smiled and said only Thank you guys, have a good day before walking away.Trump made headlines recently after a 2005 video of him surfaced in which he is recorded making crude comments about women. He has since apologized for the comments, referring to it as locker room talk.Several current and former athletes hhave spoken out about that characterization, with many saying that locker room comments dont rise to the level the presidential candidate described.ddddddddddddLast year Brady was spotted with one of Trumps Make America Great Again hats in his locker. The quarterback walked back a comment he made that he thought it would be great if Trump won the election. He had also joked about Trump possibly putting a putting green on the White House lawn. ' ' '