Monday, September 22, 2014

New #NASCAR Chase Format - Excitement!

The 2014 Sylvania 300 provided a plethora of racing excitement. NASCAR Race Mom has to admit that the new chase format keeps the competition tense.

Chase Challengers Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon experienced difficulties in the Sylvania 300.
Chase Challengers Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon experienced
difficulties in the Sylvania 300.

There are sixteen Challengers heading to Dover International Speedway this weekend.  However, only twelve Contenders will remain when the checkered flag flies on the AAA 400. 

Nine drivers are within sixteen points of the twelfth and final spot to advance to the Contender Round in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.  Only eighteen points separarate eighth place from sixteenth place.

As it stands now, only Penske teammates,  Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano have advanced, by their win, to next round. The other fourteen drivers are still not sure of their position in the chase.


CHASE BUBBLE
Pos.
Driver
+/-
3
Kevin Harvick
+41
4
Jimmie Johnson
+31
5
Kyle Busch
+28
6
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
+28
7
Jeff Gordon
+21
8
Matt Kenseth
+8
9
Carl Edwards
+8
10
AJ Allmendinger
+7
11
Kasey Kahne
+6
12
Ryan Newman
+6
13
Denny Hamlin
-6
14
Greg Biffle
-6
15
Kurt Busch
-8
16
Aric Almirola
-10

Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Aric Almirola will need to rally to keep their championship hopes alive, with a win being their surest ticket to continue their Chase battle.

It will be interesting to see just how aggressive these "Chase Bubble" wheeled warriors emerge.  NRM is surprised yet thrilled to see AJ Allmendinger in tenth place. 

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