How many drivers are legitimate top-10 candidates for the Chase for the Nextel Cup?
Twelve to 14. Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have separated themselves from the pack and, barring total calamity, will make the Chase. But only 154 points separate the third-place driver (Jeff Burton) from the 12th (Hamlin). Before Kyle Busch’s victory at New Hampshire International Speedway, crew chief Alan Gustafson said his team was in “urgent mode.” Even after he vaulted four spots into fourth place, Busch observed that one bad race can still put any Chase hopeful in jeopardy. “The biggest challenge is to make sure you stay out of trouble, keep your nose clean and be there at the end of the race,” Busch said. If the Chase were to begin today, defending champion Tony Stewart would be left out. He sits in 11th but is only 11 points out of 10th. “There’s no margin for error,” said Carl Edwards (13th), reinvigorated by placing second at New Hampshire. He and Kurt Busch (14th) remain on the edge of contention, but chances for drivers such as Casey Mears (15th) and Clint Bowyer (16th) a
