Jimmie Johnson this week can become the first driver to clinch a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™. The five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion needs to leave Watkins Glen International with at least a 193-point lead over the driver holding the 11th position in the standings. Johnson, the only driver to appear in all previous nine editions of the Chase, currently leads 11th-place Tony Stewart by 178 points. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has never won at The Glen, but has finished third twice – including a year ago.
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Sonoma Victory Moves Truex Into Title Conversation
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Among the “comers” is Sonoma Raceway winner Martin Truex Jr., who occupied a top-10 position in the standings once already this season (ninth after Charlotte) and stood 34th in the standings after race No. 2 in Phoenix. Truex, a two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and NNS road race winner in Mexico City, bumped Tony Stewart out of 10th and into a possible Wild Card berth. Truex is a single point behind reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and defending Kentucky winner Brad Keselowski.
‘Go Time’ For Chase Contenders With Regular Season Winding Down
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It’s go-time with 10 races remaining until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ begins. Four drivers with multiple victories – Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch – have established themselves as championship co-favorites. The remainder of the current top 10, particularly among the second five, remains fluid with weekly comings and goings. The difference between 10th and 14th in the standings is just 14 points.
Dover’s Sprint Cup Race Ends First Half Of Regular Campaign
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Sunday’s race at Dover International Speedway marks the halfway point of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. When the checkered flag falls on the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks just 13 races remain until the lineup for this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ is set. A year ago, nine of the top 10 in points leaving Dover qualified for the Chase. Only Kyle Busch (ninth) missed the post season.
Fire Up The Toaster, Championship Field Down To 10; Likely To Further Shrink In Phoenix
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Championship Field Down To 10; Likely To Further Shrink In Phoenix
Texas eliminated two Chase qualifiers, Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. More are likely to follow on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. The mathematical cut-off with one race remaining is 49 points. Only Keselowski and Clint Bowyer (-36) currently are within that window. Fourth-place Kasey Kahne (-58) must net 10 points on Johnson to take his slim title hopes to the Nov. 18 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Phoenix likely will end reigning champion Tony Stewart’s bid for a fourth crown. Stewart is eighth, 80 points off the lead.
The Final Lap Weekly 