#18-Kyle Busch held on to fourth place and 165 precious points at The Glen, and bought himself some valuable real estate in the 2009 Race to the Chase. He gained 15 points on #42-Juan Montoya, 53 points on #9-Kasey Kahne, 65 on #39-Ryan Newman, just 10 on #16-Greg Biffle, 71 points on #5-Mark Martin and 44 points on #17-Matt Kenseth, pulling within 58 of Matt. #83-Brian Vickers pulled within 96 points of 13th place Kenseth and #33-Clint Bowyer is now 99 points out after an 11th and 9th, respectively. #00-David Reutimann has faded back to 155 points out, and needs a strong rally to get back into serious contention. #14-Tony Stewart has set a blistering pace over the last ten races, with three wins, six podium finishes, and 8 top fives. See more Chase Stats, year-by-year comparision on my Chase Stats after Watkins Glen page.
AND: Fresh off a win at Watkins Glen, #14-Tony Stewart merely needs to start Sundays CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway to become the first owner-driver to earn a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berth. Stewarts not the only one who can clinch a spot in the 12-driver Chase for this weekend at Michigan. Any driver 586 points ahead of 13th place leaving Michigan clinches a spot. #48-Jimmie Johnson, 496 points ahead of 13th-place #18-Kyle Busch, needs at least a 90-point gain on 13th to secure a place in the Chase. Johnson who is second in points has made every Chase since its inception in 2004. Only one other driver has qualified for every Chase: #17-Matt Kenseth, currently 12th in points.(NASCAR)(8-13-2009)
