NASCAR standings 2014: Chase for the Sprint Cup field tightens

A new name has ascended to the top of the standings, while down the order the opportunity to grab a Chase for the Sprint Cup berth continues to narrow with just four regular season races remaining.

On the strength of an 11th-place finish, Dale Earnhardt Jr. grabbed the points from teammate Jeff Gordon on Sunday at Watkins Glen. Starting on the pole, Gordon was strong early leading 29 laps, but battery problems relegated him to 34th.

The four-time Cup champion had held the points lead in 14 of the past 15 weeks. Gordon now trails Earnhardt by five markers.

“I would rather these things happen now so we can determine what caused it and make sure it doesn’t happen again because you can’t have those kinds of things happen once this Chase starts.”

At least Gordon is assured of qualifying for the Chase, something that can’t be said of those still in search of their first victory of the year. Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart, who did not race Sunday, are among the notables still winless.

Further complicating matters is AJ Allmendinger’s victory Sunday, which fills 12 of 16 playoff slots. He narrowly held off Marcos Ambrose, who like Allmendinger needed a win at Watkins Glen. Sixteenth in points Ambrose’s best bet to assure playoff eligibility is by winning.

“I haven’t thought about points or anything,” Ambrose said. “We are decent in the championship position; I think we are 16th or something. We need to score points but we really need to focus on winning.”

Of the winless lot Kenseth, Newman, Kyle Larson and Clint Bowyer would advance because of their points ranking.