not as close as a few weeks ago…but: 2003: #17-Matt Kenseth has 3152 points, 286 ahead of 2nd in the standings, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2002: #40-Sterling Marlin had 2866 points, 211 ahead of 7th place in the standings, #20-Tony Stewart, who won the Cup so there still is a chance with 15 races to go. Here are some Facts: Marlin lost the points lead at the Sept New Hampshire race, race #27, got hurt in race #29 at Kansas, Stewart passed him [3rd – Marlin 4th] in race #28 at Dover. Marlin fell from the lead two weeks before he got hurt.(8-6-2003)
