TheOldProgrammer
August 19th, 2011, 3:40 PM
Chase Clinch scenarios going into Michigan: Four drivers have a mathematical chance of locking up Chase berths. Traditionally, Michigan is the scene of the first driver Chase clinch. Every Chase year (2004-Present) except 2004 and 2006 has seen a driver clinch a spot at Michigan. Kevin Harvick did it last year, and could do it again in 2011. Leaving this weekend, a clinching driver has to have a 145-point lead over 11th place. Those who can mathematically clinch this weekend: #18-Kyle Busch, #99-Carl Ed 112 and Harvick is 104. Then there's a Wild Card clinch possibility: If Kyle Busch or Harvick win this weekend, either drivwards,#48- Jimmie Johnson and #29-Kevin Harvick. Busch and Edwards are currently 118 points ahead of 11th. Johnson iser will have four victories, which will lock them into the Chase as at least one of the Wild Card spots.(NASCAR)(8-19-2011)
Wild Card picture became cloudier: Just when a hobbled #2-Brad Keselowski improbably won at Pocono for his second win of the season and put a grapple hold on a Wild Card spot, #9-Marcos Ambrose goes out and makes things a little hazier. Ambrose nabbed his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory on Monday at Watkins Glen. His 47-point day moved him to 22nd place, a single-point out of the top 20. Ambrose has yet to score a top-10 finish at Michigan, but finished 15th in each of last year's races there. He was 23rd in last June's stop. The current Wild Card holders are Keselowski and #11-Denny Hamlin. Hamlin dipped to 12th in the points standings after his 36th-place finish at Watkins Glen, but still maintains the edge over 15th place #27-Paul Menard (one win, Indianapolis). The Wild Card tie-breaker is points position.(NASCAR)(8-19-2011)
:smoke
Wild Card picture became cloudier: Just when a hobbled #2-Brad Keselowski improbably won at Pocono for his second win of the season and put a grapple hold on a Wild Card spot, #9-Marcos Ambrose goes out and makes things a little hazier. Ambrose nabbed his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory on Monday at Watkins Glen. His 47-point day moved him to 22nd place, a single-point out of the top 20. Ambrose has yet to score a top-10 finish at Michigan, but finished 15th in each of last year's races there. He was 23rd in last June's stop. The current Wild Card holders are Keselowski and #11-Denny Hamlin. Hamlin dipped to 12th in the points standings after his 36th-place finish at Watkins Glen, but still maintains the edge over 15th place #27-Paul Menard (one win, Indianapolis). The Wild Card tie-breaker is points position.(NASCAR)(8-19-2011)
:smoke