The back and forth battle for 12th place went to #33-Clint Bowyer at Michigan, but it could have been much better. His 13th to #5-Mark Martin’s 28th was good for a 45 point difference, and gave Bowyer a 35-point edge going to Bristol. #2-Kurt Busch has lost altitude of late, dropping six spots in the standings after Michigan, but still has a 215-point edge over 13th. #29-Kevin Harvick clinched at Michigan. After Bristol, a 391 points margin, ahead of the driver in 13th is needed to clinch.
2004-2009 Points leaders after 23 races:
2004-Jeff Gordon (68 pts in the lead, finished 3rd in the Chase)
2005-Tony Stewart (+126, finished 1st)
2006-Jimmie Johnson (+58, finished 1st)
2007-Jeff Gordon (+276, finished 2nd)
2008-Kyle Busch (+222, finished 3rd)
2009-Tony Stewart (+284, finished 6th)
Where did eventual Chase Champ stand after 23 races:
2009-Jimmie Johnson, was 3rd in points, 303 pts out of 1st
2008-Jimmie Johnson, was 3rd in points, -302 pts
2007-Jimmie Johnson, was 6th in points, -512 pts
2006-Jimmie Johnson, was 1st in points, +58
2005-Tony Stewart, was 1st in points, +126
2004-Kurt Busch, was 6th in points, -345
For season-to-season comparison after 23 races, current standings and more, see my Chase Stats after Michigan page. And for Chase history, how the ‘old system’ would had played out and more, see my 2010 Chase Rules and News page.(8-19-2010)
