With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season winding down to the Chase for the Championship, the battle to finish in one of the top 12 spots in the overall standings is heating up.
The top 12 drivers in the overall standings qualify for the Chase, which consists of the final 10 races of the season. The 12 drivers are re-seeded once the Chase begins, based on bonus points earned throughout the season for victories, and only those 12 drivers are eligible to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
Sunday’s Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway marked the first of the final four races before the Chase, and several drivers made significant moves. Adrian Daily Telegram
Brian Vickers moved within 12 points of the 12th and final spot in the Chase for the championship.
While Vickers was pleased, Martin and Busch left the Irish Hills frustrated with their spot in the standings. They are in jeopardy of missing the Chase.
Martin led 26 laps and was running sixth with 10 laps left, but ran out of fuel and finished 31st. It could prove costly. He was 11th in points entering the race and left 12th, ahead of Vickers.
Martin won the June race at MIS after Johnson and Greg Biffle ran out of fuel on the final lap.
Busch entered the race 58 points out of 12th place. He struggled all weekend, finishing 23rd and left 70 points behind Martin.
Busch was supposed to contend for the championship after winning eight times last season. He has three victories this season, but just seven top-10 finishes.
Kurt Busch, Kyle’s older brother, was involved in a crash and finished 36th, slipping from fourth to sixth in the points. The Detroit News
Busch knows that once the Chase begins at New Hampshire, all of the drivers that are not involved in the championship hunt virtually become invisible.
“If you don’t make the Chase, ultimately you run the rest of the year for nothing,” Busch said. “Man, we’ve got to be in it.” Delware Online
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