Where The Wild Things Are: Outside The Top 10

At first glance, making the Chase looks easier in 2011. This season, there are two ways to make it happen – land in the top 10 after race No. 26, or win and snag one of the two wild card spots.

Neither has proven as easy as it looks.

Cracking the top 10 has always been difficult and this year is no different. Just ask Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle and Jeff Burton – perennial championship candidates, all of whom are currently outside the top 10 in points.

But it just might be the Wild Card battle that’s fiercest of them all. There are now four drivers between spots 11 and 20 with wins…

– Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Paul Menard and David Ragan.

Keselowski takes the top spot thanks to his two wins (Kansas and Pocono). Hamlin currently holds the second spot via his win at Michigan. The tie breaker for the Wild Card spot is points position. Hamlin is currently 11th, compared to Menard in 14th and Ragan in 19th.

POINT STANDINGS | CUP SERIES
The top 6 are all within 26 points
10 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
9 Tony Stewart
8 Ryan Newman
7 Jeff Gordon
6 Matt Kenseth
5 Kevin Harvick
4 Kurt Busch
3 Kyle Busch
2 Jimmie Johnson
1 Carl Edwards hangs on to the lead by 9

Outside the Top 10
11 Denny Hamlin
12 Clint Bowyer

Between 11-20th, eligible for the wild-card with victories include Paul Menard, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, and Brad Keselowski.