| There is no doubt about it, Tony Stewart is proving | | | | into the Chase for the Championship. McMurray is |
| he is a force to be reckoned with on the race track. | | | | going to do everything within his power to ensure he |
| With an extraordinary five wins out of the last seven | | | | doesn't repeat last years 11th place finish which left |
| races, Stewart has charged his way to the top of | | | | him out of the running for the Chase. |
| the points. The Home Depot's ability to dominate | | | | The pressure is on Elliott Sadler and Yates teammate |
| week in and week out has netted Stewart 1,431 | | | | Dale Jarrett. These two drivers are in a tie, merely |
| points over the last eight races. This is slamming the | | | | three points outside of 10th place. These drivers |
| door on many drivers outside of the top ten who | | | | need perfect pit stops and flawless cars for each of |
| had hopes of making it into the Chase by being | | | | the next four races to take a place among the top |
| within the 400 point window. | | | | ten. No one should count Childress racer Kevin |
| There is also no doubting that the change in the | | | | Harvick out of the running, yet. Sitting in 14th place |
| NEXTEL Cup points system, which was implemented | | | | and 70 points outside of the top ten, Lady Luck can |
| by NASCAR in 2004, is shaking things up. One of the | | | | easily escort Harvick into the much coveted top ten |
| big questions this season is whether Jeff Gordon will | | | | standings. |
| make it into the 2005 Chase for the Championship. | | | | The last four races leading up to the Chase are going |
| Gordon is currently in 13th place, which is 67 points | | | | to be worth watching. Mistakes here and there, a |
| behind the 10th place driver, Carl Edwards. The 24 | | | | blown tire, or a speeding on pit row penalty will cost |
| team has planned tests at Michigan, Bristol and | | | | deeply, and can easily rattle around positions 7 |
| Richmond in hopes they can turn their season around | | | | through 14. So who will make the Chase for the |
| and finish in the top 10. | | | | Championship? It will all be decided at the Chevy |
| It will be interesting to watch Jamie McMurray over | | | | Rock & Roll 400 night race at Richmond |
| the next four races. Currently in 9th place, McMurray | | | | International Speedway on September 10th. |
| is the only Ganassi driver with a chance of making it | | | | |