From the November, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider
Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Homestead-Miami
The points gap between the top two drivers heading into Homestead-Miami Speedway (the last appearance in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season) next week is the largest of any Chase since the new format has been adopted. It would seemingly appear that this year's Chase is Jimmie Johnson's to lose. Jimmie possesses a 63 point lead over 2nd place driver, Matt Kenseth.However, if you rewind to the previous two seasons, the Chase was Johnson's to win heading into Homestead. And win, Johnson did not; the Nextel Cup Trophy to date does not bear Johnson's name. All Johnson needs is a 12th place finish or higher in the Ford 400, and that could all change.
Next week at Homestead, expect the points gap between first and fifth place to close. The top 2 drivers in the Chase, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth, have had the least success at the 1 1/2 mile speedway.
The top 5 drivers in the Chase average the following at Homestead:
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 9th
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 10th
Jimmie Johnson - Average Finish 16th
Dale Earnhardt Jr - Average Finish 20th
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 26th
Next Week's Schedule:
Nextel Cup: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/19/06 - 02:30pm NASCAR Nextel Cup Ford 400
Busch Series: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/18/06 - 07:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ford 300
Craftsman Truck Series: @ Homestead-Miami
Speedway
11/17/06 - 08:00pm NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ford 200
| See complete 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Race Schedule |
