Charting the Chasers after Talladega: Survival of the fittest

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October 5, 11:59 PM

by Greg Engle, NASCAR Examiner

 

 

Then came lap 174. Carl Edwards got into teammate Greg Biffle setting off a multi-car crash that affected six of the 12 chase drivers. That after Jeff Gordon, and Denny Hamlin had problems earlier in the day.

When the dust settled, only Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Burton survived to finish safe and sound.

Stewart broke a 43-race winless streak, Jimmie Johnson gained points in the Chase, Stewart moved up four spots and the rest licked their wounds.

1. Jimmie Johnson 5718. Johnson moved to the rear of the field early in the race in order to avoid the wild melees the team knew would happen in front of them. Johnson might have made a mistake during that early run, losing the draft and a lap in the process. He was able to make up the lost positions and avoid the accidents that took out many of his competitors. For the final green white checkered flag run at the end, Johnson opted to calm his aggressiveness lay back and finish a quiet 10th. Whether the move was a smart one or not is arguable, racers race to win not to finish 10th. Johnson did however do something that has only been done once in the history of the Chase, he left Talladega on top of the standings, the same way he started the day. Only Jeff Burton has done that. In 2006 Burton left Talladega with a 38-point lead and finished the season seventh. If Johnson wins it all, Sunday’s move will look brilliant, if not it may be the move that cost him his third championship.

2. Carl Edwards. 5646 –72. Edwards finished 29th Sunday and depending on your view of things, Edwards either made a calculated error Sunday or was a victim of Greg Biffle’s slide. When the two cars touched, it set off the second big crash of the day and took out not only Edwards and Biffle but their teammate Matt Kenseth as well. Along with Dale Earnhardt Junior, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch among the other Chase drivers. Edwards took responsibility for the accident and apologized afterwards. But one valuable lesson can perhaps be learned for next time; hanging around the back to avoid the big one may work if you don’t have to take too many chances getting to the front, but when you are among the top five or ten all day you don’t have to worry too much about those dicing it up behind you.

3. Greg Biffle  5641 –77 Biffle was a victim of circumstance Sunday. His 24th place finish came courtesy of the second big accident of the day Sunday in the closing laps, caused either by his teammate Edwards who bump drafted him too hard, or a slip in the corner that caused the wreck fest. Either way he ended his day in the garage. Neither him or teammate Edwards are out of contention by any stretch of the imagination but both will have to be more on their game in the coming weeks to remain near the top of the standings. 

 4. Jeff Burton 5619 –99. Proving that experience is a great asset, Burton survived the carnage Sunday to come home fourth. He not only avoided trouble, but led laps and was around to score a top five finish at the end. Burton could be the sleeper that will wake up at just the right time.

5. Clint Bowyer  5566 –152 +2. Bowyer was the only driver in the Chase Sunday not to lead at least one lap and score five bonus points. He did manage to finish fifth and gain two positions in the points. If Bowyer and his team hope to make a serious run at the championship though they need to try and learn ways to score points any way they can, because this time of the year five points could just make all the difference. 

6. Kevin Harvick  5547 –171-1. Harvick was caught up in the late race crash and finished 20th, but looked strong prior to that running up front and even leading a bit. Harvick fell one spot this week. Unless he stages a flawless rest of the season though and bad luck befalls those ahead of him, Harvick won’t be the champion this year.

7. Tony Stewart 5515 –203 +4. Everyone loves a winner. Stewart broke a 43 race winless streak Sunday by using the right moves and the right strategy. He also moved up four spots in the points. Unless he gets a miracle from above complete with a blessing from the pope though he has no chance of becoming the 2008 champion. The team can hold their heads a bit higher and maybe win a few more races before the year is through.

8. Jeff Gordon 5486 –232 –2. Gordon took a hit early in the race and never recovered. He looked strong until lap 53 when David Reutimann blew a tire and Gordon slammed into the wall to avoid him. He finished 38th and lost two spots in the standings. Gordon hasn’t exactly had a season for the ages, and like Stewart and those around him a championship is out of his grasp. He needs to break his winless streak in the remaining races prior to year's end so the team can hopefully get the confidence that can only come from winning. It’s a confidence that they will need next season, when they try to make a legitimate run at the championship. 

9. Matt Kenseth 5473 –245. Kenseth doesn’t need to be ashamed of his 26th place finish Sunday. He ran strong all day and was a contender for the win until he had the late race meeting with his teammates. Out of all the Chasers near the bottom, Kenseth has looked the strongest. He could win a race or two over the next six and make a run at the fifth place standings.

10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 5469 -249 –4. Dale Earnhardt Junior was at home Sunday. He was dominant, leading laps and ready to slug it out to the end for the win until disaster struck in the final laps. He finished 28th and dropped four positions ending his hopes for a championship in 2008. But his finish Sunday shouldn’t be held against him as he was swept up in the final crash with the Roush trio through no fault of his own. The only time someone should be critical of Earnhardt at Talladega is when he doesn’t run well the entire day.

11. Kyle Busch 5387 –331.  The good news? The engine in Busch’s Toyota didn’t fail.  The bad news? Busch’s Toyota suffered damage in the last crash and he limped home 15th. Busch did manage to do something he hasn’t done since the Chase started; he actually gained a spot in the points. Take out his two miserable runs to this point and Sunday could have been a decent points day.  Instead he has to be looking forward to next year.

12. Denny Hamlin 5383 -335 –4. Hamlin was leading the race when a tire let go and sent him into the wall. He ended up in the hospital for overnight observation and a sore ankle. He finished 39th and fell four spots in the standings. He now owns the bottom spot and will hope to dig out a bit before the year ends.

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