#99-Carl Edwards picked a good time for his first podium finish of 2010, finishing a strong second at Chicagoland. He catapulted from 12th to 10th, and picked up 35 precious points over 13th place, now 74 ahead. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a brief stay in the Top 12, as his 23rd at Joliet dropped him back to 13th. The #88 was not competitive at Chicagoland and driver and team will need to find some momentum for the final push to Richmond. #00-David Reutimann’s win at Joliet was a feel-good story, and the MWR driver also drove himself into Chase contention, gaining two spots and 74 points on 12th place. Reutimann now sits within a one-race margin of 12th. He was in Chase contention throughout 2009, and may be ready to make the final jump. #9-Kasey Kahne’s sixth at Chicagoland gained him 34 points and another position on 12th. Kasey is just 120 points out in 17th, and has the second most points (721) over the last five races. For season-to-season comparison after 19 races, current standings and more, see my Chase Stats after Daytona page. And for Chase history, how the ‘old system’ would had played out and more, see my 2010 Chase Rules and News page.(7-20-2010)
