Want to hang close in the Chase? Podium finishes. The top three in the Chase have claimed eight of the nine podium finishes (1-2-3) so far. Only Matt Kenseth has broken the string with a second at Dover. The one-race range to first place goes back only to sixth position: Jeff Gordon at 143 points out. The Joe Gibbs threesome of 10–Denny Hamlin -243, 11-Tony Stewart -255 and 12-Kyle Busch -311 are a real longshot to get back into contention. Greg Biffle, currently only 30 points out of first, does not have a top 10 in his last nine starts at Talladega. Carl Edwards has gone three Talladegas without a top 10. Jeff Gordon swept the races at Talladega last year, and a win Sunday could certainly catapult him closer in the Chase. Dale Jr. hasn’t won at Dega since 2004 and has not recorded a top five since then. He only has two top 10s in his last seven starts there. See more on my Chase Stats after Kansas page.(10-3-2008)
