Three races into the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup and there is still no clear-cut favorite for the NASCAR championship as the series heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the Hollywood Casino 400.
NASCAR At Kansas Speedway: Will The Chase Standings Shake Up With Another Fuel Mileage Race?
Will another fuel mileage race shake up the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup?
Brad Keselowski, who sits sixth in points, went to Victory Lane at Kansas in June, using fuel mileage to earn his first of three victories of the season. Calling the victory a “catalyst” for his summer performance, Keselowski is eager to return after a disappointing result last weekend at Dover.
While Keselowski was victorious in June, it was his Penske Racing teammate and last week’s winner Kurt Busch that was dominant in that race. Busch led a race-high 152 of the 267 laps, before finishing the day ninth. Coming off a strong performance at Dover and sitting fourth in the Chase standings, Busch could once again be a factor in Sunday’s race.
Perhaps looking to spoil the Chase party on Sunday will be Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle. He is the defending race winner and is always a strong contender at Kansas with two wins and five consecutive top-10 finishes -- four of which were finishes of third or better.
Biffle’s RFR teammate Carl Edwards is eagerly looking for his first win at Kansas, which he considers his hometown track. Tied with Kevin Harvick for the points lead, Edwards should also be a factor with three top-fives and six top-10s to his resume at the 1.5-mile track.
With the possibility of yet another fuel mileage race, the Chase has even more potential to see a major change. Leaving Dover, nine of the 12 Chase positions changed hands, with Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson each jumping five spots.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch all dropped in the Chase standings after Dover and will be looking to make up ground with seven races left in the championship battle.
With the competition so close and fuel mileage playing such a large role, it appears more and more likely the 2011 champion will not be determined until the final race of the year in Homestead.
See More:
