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Who would have guessed that Carl Edwards would face the real possibility of missing the Chase heading into the waning weeks of July? That’s the situation the No. 2 finisher in last year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ finds himself in following a lackluster weekend in Loudon, N.H. Edwards finished 18th – the next to final car on the lead lap – and dropped 46 points out of the top 10. The finish was his third of 18th or worse in the past four races.
How much has the No. 99 Ford team’s performance slumped? Consider that Edwards hasn’t led a lap in his most recent 10 starts. He’s led just twice in 2012 – 206 laps at Richmond where he finished 10th after a late-race restart miscommunication.
Edwards has won races at four of the tracks remaining in the Race to the Chase: Pocono, Michigan, Bristol and Atlanta. His best Indianapolis finish is second in 2008. Edwards’ winless streak grew to 51 races in New Hampshire. He last won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2011.

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Kasey Kahne’s second victory of the season on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway broke up a four-driver deadlock for the two coveted “wild card” qualifying entries into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™.

Kahne isn’t sure that will be enough to lock up a berth in the post season with seven races remaining until the Chase field is set Sept. 8 at Richmond International Raceway. “Two helps, but three would put you in a real good spot.

We’re going to stay after it,” Kahne said in his post-race media interview.
Kyle Busch currently holds the second “wild card” with a single victory and a rank of 13th in the standings. Ryan Newman, however, is nine points back in 14th with Joey Logano – the third single race winner 11th through 20th in points – is 16th.

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s top drivers rock and drop going into lucky 13 at Dover

by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com

After two weeks of racing the home track, Charlotte Motor Speedway, it’s time again to analyze 12 of the top 24 drivers in Sprint Cup points. NASCAR now heads to Dover, Delaware for the halfway point of 26 regular season events before 10 playoff races—the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

The select 12 drivers some movers, some sliders aren’t considered a dirty dozen even though racing 600 miles in one day and night during the Coke 600 will cause copious sweat.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Top Drivers Rock And Drop Going Into Lucky 13 At Dover”

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s top drivers rock and drop going into race 12 at Charlotte

by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com

The rise and fall in point standings during a 36 Sprint Cup race season and a 26 race Chase qualifying stint sometimes eludes week-to-week notice. One good or bad race result won’t define a season, but consistency is premium to securing a contender spot.

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup race event counts, race number 12, will be in Charlotte on May 27th after the All-Star race on May 19.

The Chase eligibility system allows the top 10 drivers in accumulated points and two more drivers from the top 20 with the most wins.

Continue reading “FYI WIRZ: NASCAR’s Top Drivers Rock And Drop Going Into Race 12 At Charlotte”