Bonus points can be the difference between qualifying for the Chase and missing the cut after race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway in September. The top four drivers in the bonus point category after six races represent four different manufacturers. They are Tony Stewart, 11 and Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski with eight points apiece. Keselowski is the only one of the quartet outside the current top 10 (12th) but has a leg up on a “wild card” qualifier with his victory at Bristol Motor Speedway last month.

Speaking of wild cards, Keselowski’s Penske Racing teammate AJ Allmendinger got painfully close to tossing his helmet in the ring as he finished second at Martinsville. The finish did move the Los Gatos, Calif. driver into 20th in points – a ranking that would make Allmendinger eligible to exercise a “wild card” should he get to Victory Lane.