Not that anyone mentioned it Sunday, but Jeff Gordon became the first driver (barring penalty) to clinch a spot in the 2007 Chase at Watkins Glen. The significance? Now crew chief Steve Letarte and JG can really take some chances to get wins over the next four races. Magic number coming out of Michigan is +586. Candidates are: Denny Hamlin +607, Matt Kenseth +519, Tony Stewart +506. Martin Truex moved a big step closer to his first Chase with a solid sixth at the Glen, while his teammate saw a great run go up in engine smoke. Now Junior has 100 points to make up on Kurt Busch and pass Ryan Newman for the final transfer spot. Newman’s 13th wasn’t good enough to make up any ground on Busch. For more see my Chase Stats after Watkins Glen page.(8-14-2007)
