Jeff Gordon is looking for small victories. Winning the pole at Dover International Speedway was a nice one to get. ...more

September 20, 2008

There's no Chase format in NASCAR's other two national series - the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck divisions - and the championships in those series are down to a few drivers. ...more

September 17, 2008

The winner of the Chase for the Sprint Cup will need fast cars, flawless pit stops and solid strategy. He also will need a strong dose of mental toughness. ...more

September 17, 2008

Matt Kenseth is the only driver besides Jimmie Johnson to qualify for every Chase, but unlike Johnson, he doesn't have a championship under the format. ...more

September 15, 2008

Picture a shaker and you have an idea of what the opening Chase race did to the Sprint Cup championship picture Sunday at New Hampshire. ...more

September 15, 2008

Clint Bowyer was a surprise qualifier for last year's Chase, and even after he made it, hardly anyone regarded him as a threat. ...more

September 12, 2008

When a caution flag comes out in auto racing, the leader loses most of whatever lead he has been able to build. ...more

September 10, 2008

The 4-year-old Chase for the Championship gives NASCAR the equivalent of a postseason. After 26 of the 36 races, the top 12 drivers qualify to have their points reset to 5,000, and they get 10 points for each race they won. (Carl Edwards lost the 10-point bonus for one of his wins because of a penalty). Points are then accumulated the same way they are during the first 26 races. Only the top 12 are in position to win the title. ...more

September 10, 2008

In the only really riveting Chase to date, Kurt Busch led Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon by only 18 and 21 points entering the finale at Homestead. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin still were in contention mathematically. Busch edged Johnson by eight and Gordon by 16 for the championship. ...more

September 10, 2008

Jimmie Johnson has momentum on his side and history in sight. Never mind that Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards dominated the regular season, the Chase is Johnson's time of the year and the two-time defending NASCAR champion isn't turning his title over without a fight. ...more

September 8, 2008