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Is a win expected of Chase contenders?
Jun
25
It seems like every year, there have been a lot of questions about how drivers who could make the Chase without winning a race.
Some asked if those drivers really belong in the championship-determining segment of the season. Generally, the drivers who did make it without a win - Jeff Burton in 2006 and Clint Bowyer in 2007 - won quickly once they were in the 10-race final segment of the season. Rusty Wallace went winless in 2005 but finished eighth in the standings after obviously making the Chase. In only one season, 2004, has the entire Chase field entered the segment with a victory.
But look at what's happening this year. Certainly the Chase is still 10 races away, but four of the top-12 drivers continue to seek their first win of the year. If this should continue, will there once more be complaints that they don't belong? Will fans say that Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon and Joe Gibbs Racing's Tony Stewart shouldn't be in title contention should they continue to perform well but seek a victory? Will they question the role of Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth, two others who are winless to this point in the season?
After all, Kenseth has 10 top-10 finishes, which ties him for third in the series. Gordon has seven top-five finishes, second among Cup drivers. And Stewart has been at the front of the field for 388 laps.
Certainly one would expect that one or all of these drivers will win before that Chase field is set.
But what if they don't?
Will fans still clamor and question the legitimacy of title contenders who enter the Chase without a win?
Some asked if those drivers really belong in the championship-determining segment of the season. Generally, the drivers who did make it without a win - Jeff Burton in 2006 and Clint Bowyer in 2007 - won quickly once they were in the 10-race final segment of the season. Rusty Wallace went winless in 2005 but finished eighth in the standings after obviously making the Chase. In only one season, 2004, has the entire Chase field entered the segment with a victory.
But look at what's happening this year. Certainly the Chase is still 10 races away, but four of the top-12 drivers continue to seek their first win of the year. If this should continue, will there once more be complaints that they don't belong? Will fans say that Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon and Joe Gibbs Racing's Tony Stewart shouldn't be in title contention should they continue to perform well but seek a victory? Will they question the role of Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth, two others who are winless to this point in the season?
After all, Kenseth has 10 top-10 finishes, which ties him for third in the series. Gordon has seven top-five finishes, second among Cup drivers. And Stewart has been at the front of the field for 388 laps.
Certainly one would expect that one or all of these drivers will win before that Chase field is set.
But what if they don't?
Will fans still clamor and question the legitimacy of title contenders who enter the Chase without a win?
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Comments
1 response to "Is a win expected of Chase contenders?"
Buddy Graham said:
Jun 25, 2008 at 6:19 PMThe fans might, the media surely will.
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