With only 5 races left in the NASCAR season, I am going to remove 7 drivers from contention for the 2012 title in my mind. I don’t see anyone outside of 40 points getting in it.
The theme of the Chase has been the “Fuel Mileage Win” and Clint Bowyer got another one in Charlotte last weekend. I know Bowyer is tired of not being able to do burnouts after wins, but I think he is okay with it. Keselowski got on the wrong side of the fuel issue and let JJ and Denny get close. The last 5 races look to be heating up and should be in for a very good finish to the 2012 season. Will it be as good as 2011 finish? It may be.
| 2012 NASCAR Chase Standings after Race 5 of 10 | ||
| 1. Brad Keselowski | 2,214 | Failed to finish in the top 10 for the 1st time since late August and gave up some breathing room. Can he get it back in Kansas? |
| 2. Jimmie Johnson | 2,207 (-7) | 2-time Kansas winner will be a threat, but how much the track changed will be a factor. |
| 3. Denny Hamlin | 2,199 (-15) | Did his Kansas momentum go away with the old track surface? His wreck in practice may be a sign for a big slip. |
| 4. Clint Bowyer | 2,186 (-28) | His win in Charlotte was his 3rd of the season and the race is in his home state of Kansas. I like his chances. |
| 5. Kasey Kahne | 2,179 (-35) | Had a very bland race in Charlotte. Was a favorite and never showed any flash. |
| 6. Greg Biffle | 2,171 (-43) | 2-time Kansas winner needs a win to get into the fight. No win, but a top 5 finish. |
| 7. Martin Truex Jr. | 2,165 (-49) | Surprised he is at #7. He has done nothing and he just turns laps. |
| 8. Tony Stewart | 2,164 (-50) | 50 pts out with 5 races to go is a monster gap, but Stewart has wins in Kansas and can get one again. |
| 9. Jeff Gordon | 2,164 (-50) | Bad Charlotte race puts him out of reach. Has 2 wins in Kansas, but they were 10 years ago. |
| 10. Kevin Harvick | 2,158 (-56) | Read Martin Truex Jr. |
| 11. Matt Kenseth | 2,147 (-67) | YOU’RE DONE SON!! |
| 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 2,128 (-86) | For the 2nd week in a row Jr. will be sitting out due to his concussion. His title hopes are over, so here’s to hoping he doesn’t rush back too soon. |
This Kansas race will be hard to predict giving that the track has gone through such a drastic change since Denny Hamlin’s win in April. I have a feeling that Carl Edwards can get a win for the non-chasers and finish up the season with some momentum. I love Bowyer’s chances at getting a win in Kansas for the 1st time. Denny’s practice wreck puts him out of contention in my mind and I think Kesolowski is on the downturn. I like Biffle to run well, I am going to go with Tony Stewart to get the win in Kansas. New track, fast speeds and Smoke looks good to me.
