While NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers battle each other on the track and in the series standings, the automotive manufacturers they represent are locked in a season-long title hunt all their own. Three manufacturers – Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford – vie each year for the Manufacturers’ Championship, and those standings are tightly locked through eight of 36 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events. Heading into Sundays Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet leads with 56 points and four wins. Dodge is second with 49 points and three wins. Ford is third with 47 points and one win. While second-place Dodge trails Chevrolet by only five points, the margin is even tighter between Dodge and Ford only two points prevent a tie for second place [highest gets 9 points, then next 6, then 4, next year with Toyota, 4th place gets 3]. Dodge has held the runner-up spot for the last four races. Dodge seeks its first Talladega win since August 1976, when Dave Marcis won the Talladega 500.(NASCAR PR), see my Manufacturers Championship page for the standings, which drive was highest at each race, which driver have scored the most points, manufacturers all time wins, and more.(4-27-2006)
