With ten races to go the top ten drivers in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup points were eligible to compete for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series championship. Now only two races remain. Who still has a shot and who is out of it for 2004?
In the beginning no one really considered Kurt a favorite but now with only two races left he holds onto a fragile 41 point lead. Only one mistake separates him from fourth, but he's in position and has the advantage if he can put together two more strong runs.
Leading the points going into The Chase, Jeff Gordon now is only 41 points behind. A proven winner in Darlington his Hendrick Motorsports team is motivated and knows how to win Championships.
Third going into The Chase, Dale Earnhardt Jr. still finds himself in third, just 47 points out. The 25 point penalty he received for cursing could well play a big role before this season is over.
Jimmie Johnson spent most of the 2004 season at the top of the points and put together a dazzling 3-in-a-row during The Chase. He is fully capable of sweeping the last two races and making up his 48 point deficit.
Sentimental favorite Mark Martin finds himself 102 points back with only two raes to go. He's still got a shot, but at this point it looks like another off-season of "almost" and "what if."
Never count Tony out. But he's got a lot of ground to make up in just two races. 142 points wouldn't be a lot with 5 races to go, but it's a monster deficit now. He's racing to beat Mark for fifth.
If they gave bonus points for qualifying then Ryan Newman would have been the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion already. Instead he finds himself 150 points behind and truly only battling Tony and Mark for fifth.
Elliott Sadler just never really got a break and now finds himself mathematically eliminated from the 2004 Championship. He needs to concentrate on holding off Kenseth and Mayfield for eighth.
2003 Champ Kenseth couldn't avoid the demons. Bad luck and blown motors leave him with only one more spot to gain in the points this year.
Mayfield started off The Chase with a 35th place finish and just never got rolling. He shoudl take pride in the heroic effort he laid down to get into the top ten, it's a shame his luck didn't hold to make a better showing. Eight place is still well within reach and is a worthy goal.
