In past years, the scenario would seem far-fetched, farcical even: A driver with a couple of top-10 finishes, sitting just outside the top 20, is a legitimate championship contender.
But that statement describes Marcos Ambrose, and after this weekend, he could very well fall into the “championship contender” category.
All thanks to the Wild Card in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format for 2011.
After race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway, the top-10 drivers earn berths into the 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Spots 11 and 12 go to those drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, provided they are in the top 20 in points.
Ambrose, currently seven points outside the top 20, would likely need a win for any Chase considerations. It could happen this weekend. It almost did last year.
The Aussie was the tough luck loser at Infineon last year. He held the lead with seven laps remaining, but stalled during a caution period, giving up the top spot. Jimmie Johnson went on to grab his first road-course win; Ambrose finished sixth. Ambrose has two top 10s in his last two Infineon races, including a third in 2009.
A few other drivers outside the top 10 also eye Infineon – a track that has seen six different winners in the last six races – as a Victory Lane landing pad.
Jeff Gordon: With two wins this season, Gordon would own the No. 1 Wild Card spot if the Chase began today. Gordon, all-time leader in road course wins with nine, has five wins at Infineon – but none since 2006. He has finished in the top 10 in each of the last five Infineon races. Gordon is currently 12th, 17 points outside the top 10.
Tony Stewart: The two-time series champion has two Infineon wins, and top 10s in the last four races there. Over the last 10 years, Stewart has scored more points on road courses than any other driver. He sits 11th, just one point outside the top 10.
Juan Pablo Montoya: The Colombian has two career wins, both at road courses. His first career win came at Infineon in his rookie year of 2007. He also conquered Watkins Glen International last season. Montoya is 15th in the series standings, 46 points outside the top 10.
Mark Martin: This Sunday’s start will make Martin the all-time leader at Infineon, with 21. In his career there, he has one win, seven top fives and 13 top 10s, his last coming in 2004. Martin is 14th, 37 points outside the top 10.
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