If Jeff Gordon makes up at least 13 points and no more than 48 on Jimmie Johnson at Phoenix, we will have the closest gap from 1-2 going to Homestead. In 2004, Kurt Busch carried an 18-point lead over Johnson into the final race, and held on for the win. Unless Clint Bowyer finishes well ahead of both, we’ll only have those two as contenders for the crown. The push for the podium: Matt Kenseth moved a big step closer to teleprompter practice with a second place at Texas. He now leads Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex by 70. See more on the Chase stats after Texas page.(11-9-2007)
