No Top 10 for Martin in 2001 UPDATE: Simply by starting Sunday’s race, #99-Jeff Burton assured himself of at least a 10th-place finish in this year’s NASCAR Winston Cup drivers points standings. That means that for the first time since 1988, Mark Martin will not finish among the circuit’s Top 10 drivers. Martin was 15th in 1988.(Miami Herald)(11-12-2001) UPDATE: actually after looking at the numbers, this is not true. It’ll be tought for Martin to get into 10th, but he and #10-Benson, who is in 11th still have a shot at 10th. Burton has 4132 points, if he finished last in the next two races (worth 34 x 2), he would end up with 4211 points. If Benson, who has 3931 points, wins and leads the most laps (185×2) he would end up with 4301 points. Martin currently has 3860 points, if he wins and leads the most laps (185×2) he would end up with 4230 points. So while inprobable, there is still a chance for Martin and a much better chance for Benson if Burton falters(11-13-2001 – nice heads up Alan)
