#99-Carl Edwards is in fifth place in the Sprint Cup standings, but is far from safe. From Edwards (+109) on down to 12th place #42-Juan Pablo Montoya (+1), eight members of the Top 12 in all are within the one race margin of dropping out of the standings. In fact, 14th place #00-David Reutimann could rise all the way to fifth if things fell his way at Daytona Saturday night. This is the most spots up for grabs at the 17-race mark in the six-year history of The Race to the Chase. #31-Jeff Burton’s fall from the Top 12 has been sudden and brutal. His 31st at New Hampshire dropped him another spot Sunday. He’s now lost eight spots in five races and is now 108 points out in 16th place. #33-Clint Bowyer lost more ground with a 20th and it is probably safe to count #29-Kevin Harvick out of making his fourth straight Chase as he is now 451 points out in 27th place. #2-Kurt Busch’s solid third at Loudon moved him to 206 points ahead of 13th place and gives him some breathing room. See more on my Chase Stats after New Hampshire and 2009 Chase News/Rules page.(6-30-2009)
