The Chase for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
With eight races remaining, 10 drivers continue The Chase for the NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup. First to 10th in the standings are separated by 157 points. The
biggest margin is between and third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. and fourth-place
Jimmie Johnson, who are separated by 39 points. Fifth-place Mark Martin has the
same points as Johnson (5,314). Johnson has four victories to Martins two and
holds the fourth-position based on the tiebreaker.
The Other Chase
Approximately $1 million will be paid to the driver who finishes 11th in
the final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings an increase of more than
$400,000 over one year ago. That includes a $250,000 bonus, which will be paid to the
11th-place finisher. Additionally, the 11th-place driver will also join the
top-10 drivers on the stage at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Awards Banquet in New York
in December. Currently, Jamie McMurray holds the 11th-place position by 99
points over 12th-place Kevin Harvick.
All 10 drivers competing in the Chase for the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
scored at least one victory in the first 26 races of the 2004 season. Kurt Busch
and Ryan Newman posted victories in the first two races of the 10-race Chase to
the NEXTEL Cup.
Week No. 1, Race No. 27 - Kurt Busch won the Sylvania 300 and led the most
laps in the first race in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, earning 190
points. Jeremy Mayfield and Tony Stewart were involved in an early accident, both
failed to finish the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished third and led laps,
leaving him tied with Busch in the point standings - both with 5,210. Earnhardt
Jr., became the points leader based on the tie-breaker (four victories for
Earnhardt; three for Busch.
Five of the 10 drivers in The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup posted top-10
finishes in the Sylvania 300.
The 10 drivers in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup were separated by
just 142 points.
Nine of the 10 drivers in The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup changed positions
at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Seven drivers in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup led at least one lap
in the Sylvania 300, earning the additional five bonus points. Busch earned
the extra five points for leading the most laps in the race. Week No. 2, Race No. 28 - Ryan Newman won and led the most laps in the MBNA
America 400. He gained 29 points and one position in The Chase. When Dale
Jarrett passed Kurt Busch for fourth place on lap 395 of the 400-lap event, Jeff
Gordon took over the lead in the point standings. Gordon finished third and led
Busch by a single point following the race. Matt Kenseth was involved in a
single-car incident on lap 119 and posted the third DNF by a Chase driver.
Eight drivers in the top-10 in points changed positions at Dover .
Eight of the 10 drivers in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup posted
top-10 finishes in the MBNA America 400.
Kurt Busch is the only driver that has scored top-five finishes in each
of the first two races in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.
Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to
score top-10 finishes in each of the first two races in The Chase.
