with #9-Kasey Kahne, 32nd in drivers championship points after 12 races, I have been asked…what is the worst spot a driver has come from after 12 races in the three previous Chase’s. 2006: after the 12th race, #11-Hamlin was 12th in drivers points [and made it in the chase at 5th] 2005: it was #17-Matt Kenseth who was 23rd [and made it in at 9th]. In the first year of the Chase, 2004: Mark Martin [then in the #6, now in the #01] was 15th [and went into the chase at 9th]. The three drivers who won the last three Nextel Cup Championships were no deeper then 8th, that being #97-Kurt Busch in 2004. In 2006 #48-Jimmie Johnson was 1st and in 2005, #20-Tony Stewart was 6th What drivers were highest in the points after 12 races and did NOT make the Chase? 2006: #20-Stewart was 4th 2005: #38[now #19]-Sadler was 3rd 2004: #18-now #43]-Labonte was 6th See some Chase stats on my Chase Stats after Charlotte page.(5-31-2007)
