Need for Speed
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jared Turner
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The Chase could be a three-horse race after Kansas
Sep
27
After this weekend, the 12-driver Chase For The Sprint Cup could be all but a three-horse race. Perhaps it already is.
Carl Edwards enters Sunday's Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway with a scant 10-point edge over teammate Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson, who are tied for second (Johnson would hold the tiebreaker by virtue of having more wins).
The next closest driver is Jeff Burton, who is 82 points back in fourth.
Fifth-place Kevin Harvick trails the leader by 101.
And from sixth on back, the view of the top three grows even dimmer.
I know there are still eight races to go. And much could happen to erase the gap that Edwards, Johnson and Biffle hold over the other nine Chase drivers.
But that doesn't seem likely to happen based strictly on performance.
Edwards and Johnson have been two of the strongest three drivers all season (Kyle Busch is the other). Biffle, coming off two straight wins, is the hottest driver in Sprint Cup and has a slate of tracks coming up where he is typically stellar.
Barring a couple mechanical failures or accidents on the part of the front three, there is no reason to think they won't settle the title among themselves.
The gap is too wide and they are running too well for anything else.
Carl Edwards enters Sunday's Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway with a scant 10-point edge over teammate Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson, who are tied for second (Johnson would hold the tiebreaker by virtue of having more wins).
The next closest driver is Jeff Burton, who is 82 points back in fourth.
Fifth-place Kevin Harvick trails the leader by 101.
And from sixth on back, the view of the top three grows even dimmer.
I know there are still eight races to go. And much could happen to erase the gap that Edwards, Johnson and Biffle hold over the other nine Chase drivers.
But that doesn't seem likely to happen based strictly on performance.
Edwards and Johnson have been two of the strongest three drivers all season (Kyle Busch is the other). Biffle, coming off two straight wins, is the hottest driver in Sprint Cup and has a slate of tracks coming up where he is typically stellar.
Barring a couple mechanical failures or accidents on the part of the front three, there is no reason to think they won't settle the title among themselves.
The gap is too wide and they are running too well for anything else.
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Comments
3 responses to "The Chase could be a three-horse race after Kansas"
del brown said:
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:00 PMDon't forget 'dega. Everyone tends to bunch up there and anything can happen. Restrictor plate racing is noted for ruining drivers' days. After whatever happens - or doesn't happen - there then we can see how many horses still have a chance.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportchris welch said:
Sep 27, 2008 at 9:54 PMhere we go again, some writer trying to predict the most unpredictable sport in the world based on a couple races. get a grip.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportbeth emerson said:
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:23 PMI say everyone in the chase can still win the thing. who knows someone can get on a winning roll. Remember the old saying it aint over till its over.
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