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Regan Smith’s Southern 500 victory opened the possibility for his first Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berth.
Ah, so close and yet so far.
Competitors with the most wins can qualify for two wild card spots – but only if they are ranked among the top 20 in points after the season’s first 26 races.
And there – for Smith and possibly Phoenix winner Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) – is the rub.
Smith currently stands 27th, 29 points out of the top 20. Gordon, at the moment is in, ranked 17th. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion’s fortunes have headed in the wrong direction, having logged four finishes of 18th or worse since breaking his lengthy losing streak in February.
Gordon’s safe for now but his cushion over 21st – Jamie McMurray – is just 29 points.
• McMurray, among 2010 winners, has yet to visit Victory Lane and is 52 points out of 10th, making a wild card his best chance of making this year’s Chase.
• He isn’t alone. Seven past winners ranking 12th through 20th are winless through the season’s first 10 races.
• From 21st back, eight previous winners are within 46 points of the top 20.
• Included on that list are former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Bobby Labonte, 21-time race winner Jeff Burton and last year’s Chicagoland Speedway winner David Reutimann.
As Smith ponders his situation, it’s obvious that despite a new points system, two things remain a constant. Winning is both good and necessary but consistency also matters – and in the case of those outside the top 20—consistency over the next 16 races would seem to be a priority.
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