There’s lot of laps left and hazards at places like Watkins Glen this week and Bristol down the road, but for now, the real battle to watch is #33-Clint Bowyer vs. #5-Mark Martin for the 12th and final spot in the 2010 Chase. Martin made up some ground at Pocono, finishing 7th to Bowyer’s 15th, and gaining 28 points. Now, only 34 points separate the two going to the Glen. Talk about a difference a year makes. Richard Childress Racing, skunked in the Chase last year, has all three cars in the Top 12 as of now, and those three have improved their positions a combined 36 spots over this time last year (Harvick +21, Burton +12, Bowyer +3). With five races to go, three drivers were over 100 points out of the Chase and made it: in 2005 Matt Kenseth was 168 pts out; in 2004, Mark Martin was 123 pts out; and in 2009, Vickers was 104 pts out.
So looks like some drivers still have a shot: Martin is 13th, 34 pts out; Earnhardt Jr. is 14th, 129 pts out; Newman is 15th, 138 pts out; Kahne is 16th, 168 pts out; #1-McMurray is 17th, 172 out.
For season-to-season comparison after 21 races, current standings and more, see my Chase Stats after Pocono page. And for Chase history, how the ‘old system’ would had played out and more, see my 2010 Chase Rules and News page.(8-4-2010)
