After eight races this season, 23 drivers are within 400 points of leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. Last year at this point, only 17 drivers would have qualified. But 18 races remain until the championship cutoff after the Sept. 11 race in Richmond, VA. Brian France, the NASCAR chairman and CEO who was instrumental in the change to the new system, is pleased with the racing so far this season. “We could not be happier on how the chase is shaping up, with every driver racing so hard to make sure that they have a shot at the championship,” France said Tuesday. “That’s exactly what we want.” Since the modern scoring system was established in 1975, only once have there been more than seven drivers (12 in 2002) within 400 points of the leader with 10 races remaining. Included in the group that would qualify are seven former Cup champions and a pair of rookies.(USA Today)(4-22-2004)
