By Staff
In the brief history of the Chase for the Championship, only four drivers have come from outside the Top 10 after the Bristol race to become eligible to compete for the championship.
Two instances occurred during the 2004 season, the inaugural season for the chase. Both Mark Martin and Jeremy Mayfield rallied from 12th and 13th place to make the field.
If you remember, Mayfield won the race at Richmond to get into the Top 10 and Mark Martin ended up finishing fourth in the final standings. In 2005, Matt Kenseth was in 11th position, 11 points behind 10th after the Bristol race. He had been on a torrid hot streak and made the Chase, at Jeff Gordon's expense. 2005 was also the year that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. missed the show, finishing 19th in the final standings.
Last season, Tony Stewart tanked the last two races before the cut-off and missed the Chase, making way for Kasey Kahne, despite leading the circuit with six wins, to eek his way into the field.
This history lesson is a long way for me to say that the 2007 Chase field is set. What you see now is what you will get over the last ten races of the year. One difference this season is the field has been expanded by two; the top 12 will make the field.
Dale Jr. will end his association with the company that bears his family name on the outside looking in. No way he makes up the 158 points needed to overtake Kurt Busch in 12th position.
The field was increased by two this season to create more excitement and attention. Interestingly, only one point separates Kevin Harvick in 10th place and Martin Truex, Jr. in 11th position. If the change had not been made, there would be a real battle to earn that last spot. As it is, the field is set.
I don't know if Teresa Earnhardt made the call, or if it was DEI President Max Seigel, but whoever decided to put Mark Martin into the No. 8 ride next season made a brilliant decision. Much has been made about car numbers recently. Dale Jr. tried unsuccessfully to take the No. 8 with him to Hendrick next season.
Much was made about the intense negative reaction that the driver chosen to drive that car will receive from the "Junior Nation." That will not happen to Mark Martin. Nobody will boo and hiss that guy, and rightfully so. DEI expects to announce its full driver lineup at Richmond next week. It looks like Regan Smith will get the shot to drive the No. 01, with an unnamed sponsor. Martin will split time with Aric Almirola in the No. 8. The other two cars will remain unchanged, Truex in the No. 1 and Paul Menard in the No. 15.
Here goes my annual bash against NASCAR. The Southern 500 should be in Darlington, SC this weekend. Instead, we will see the half-empty stands from California on Sunday night. Even though this is the fourth race at California on Labor Day weekend, it still doesn't feel right. Labor Day is known for a huge college football weekend and the Southern 500.
Oh well, jumping off my soapbox, I pick Kasey Kahne to win this weekend. His performance is picking up and coming off a second at Bristol, he finally gets his first win of season.
Have a great holiday weekend and please be careful.