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Is The Chase Field Locked After The 600/Who is in/out?
By: Gregg A. Shultz RaceFanVote.com
If the history of the past few seasons repeats itself, we are looking at the 2008 Chase Field
as set by points right now after the Coca-Cola 600 with the possibility of one or two drivers
trading places in or out.
In 2006 only one pair of drivers swapped (in the 10 car chase format) being Tony Stewart
out and Denny Hamlin in. Stewart was 4th in points after the 600 and Hamlin 12th. The
eventual Champion Jimmie Johnson was seated first after Charlotte.
Again in 2007 only one pair of drivers switched. Martin Truex, Jr. was the only driver to
make it into the top 12 from the way the points were set after the Coca-Cola 600. He was in
16th position.
Jamie McMurray was the one to fall out who was 12th after Charlotte.
The repeat Championship winner, Jimmie Johnson was second in points.
Vote for any drivers Currently in the top 12 that you think are going to fall out by the Chase.
Vote out as many as you think, but then vote in equal numbers from the drivers currently
13-20.
After voting, close the window to vote multiple times.
Viewing the results only, hit your "Back" button.
Are the past two seasons a good barometer of what will happen this season as far as the
points and the chase, or are there too many variables? Three of the top 12 are new to
Toyota, two are with new teams, two are in a contract year and they are all in new cars that
are still a work in progress on the performance side.
One aspect that is different with the new style car is the lower attrition rate resulting in
fewer drivers having a bad day and plummeting down the points chart. Take Dale Earnhardt
Jr. for example at the 600. With the absorbent foam in the door panels it keeps the car
from folding in enough to damage the suspension and other vital components and with
some repairs and pit strategy they managed a 5th place finish. In years past he would have
been in the garage and out of the race. The same thing has happened multiple times where
the drivers have gone on to have a good finish or even win the race.
In addition the Dodge and Toyota teams are introducing new motors which could go either
way for each of them. They could be setting the pace or blowing up which could definitely
shake up the points standings.
There is also a good mix of threats to break into the top 12 looking at the drivers in
positions 13-20. There are a couple of up and comers that have been performing well, a few
that have been in the chase before and some others that are running consistent, but have
just had some bad finishes.
As the contract negotiations work their way through for two drivers in the top 12, Tony
Stewart & Greg Biffle, it could have an affect on how these drivers perform depending upon
how things work out. It can be a major distraction for the drivers and their teams if
uncertainty begins to surface. It’s not unheard of for a driver that is leaving a team to be
held back from receiving new technology or attending team meetings as a lame duck driver,
even if they are a contender to make the chase.
The final variable that might be the biggest one is how the teams are beginning to figure out
the handling and performance of the new style car. In years past by the 12th race the
teams pretty much had what they had, but that’s not necessarily so this year. The teams
that are performing well so far may have a lot of other teams catch up to them by mid-
season as they learn, which could result in a big shuffling of points positions heading to the
Chase.
Covering multiple topics in this story, you have the opportunity to vote on several poll
questions to address them all.
Thanks again to all of the fans visiting our site this season. 12,000 visitors last week!
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I would guess that there will be some
teams out of the top 12 now that will
improve and move up. The hard part is
trying to figure who in the top 12 will be
out. I guess there was no one bigger than
Stewart missing it in 2006 so anything
could happen.
Bobby Ramsey, Chicago
teams out of the top 12 now that will
improve and move up. The hard part is
trying to figure who in the top 12 will be
out. I guess there was no one bigger than
Stewart missing it in 2006 so anything
could happen.
Bobby Ramsey, Chicago
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Me and some buddies were just having
this conversation. I think the new car will
cause some of the guys that normally
make it to miss the chase. It will be
interesting to see how everyone else
votes.
HMRFAN25 NC
this conversation. I think the new car will
cause some of the guys that normally
make it to miss the chase. It will be
interesting to see how everyone else
votes.
HMRFAN25 NC
Any Big Shake Ups In Points After The Coca Cola 600?
