Top Ten Heading Into The Glen

 

The following is a rundown of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 10 heading into Sunday's AMD at The Glen, the sixth event in the "Race to the Chase," the 10 events prefacing the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup."

The AMD at The Glen (1 p.m. EDT on NBC) is the 22nd of 36 races on the series' schedule. The first 26 races of the season will determine the drivers involved in the third annual Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup contested over the final 10 races. Drivers who are in the top 10 or within 400 points of the standings' leader after those 26 races will vie for the 2006 series title in the "Chase."

No. 1 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet). Team: Hendrick Motorsports. Points: 3,124. Johnson rallied from early trouble to win at Indianapolis, his fourth victory of 2006. He has also won at Daytona, Las Vegas and Talladega. Johnson has a series-leading 17 top-10 finishes this season. He has been among the top 10 for 90 consecutive races, since March 2004. Johnson has two top-10 finishes in four races at Watkins Glen, both top fives. Johnson, who finished fifth in this race last year, has a 16.25 average Watkins Glen finish. He has led in two races on the 2.45-mile road course, but has yet to win a non-oval course event. Season-to-date Loop Data highlight: Johnson is ranked second in Driver Rating (102.6).

No. 2 - Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Power Tools Ford). Team: Roush Racing. Points: 3,017. Kenseth finished second at Indianapolis to retain his spot in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup standings for the 10th consecutive race. He has ranked in the top five since the season's second race, a victory at California. Kenseth was 15th in the standings at this point last season. He has three top-10 finishes in six races at Watkins Glen; his best finish (eighth) came in 2003. Kenseth, who has been running at the finish of all his starts at the New York track, placed 18th in this race last year. He has a 16.833 average Watkins Glen finish. He has never won or logged a top-five finish on a road course. Season-to-date Loop Data highlight: Kenseth is ranked second in Average Running Position (11.153).

No. 3 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet). Team: Richard Childress Racing. Points: 2,749. Burton finished 15th at Indianapolis to remain third in the standings. He has 13 top-10 finishes this season. Burton was 18th in the standings at this point last year. He has three top-10 finishes in 12 races at Watkins Glen; two were top fives. Burton finished 43rd in this race a year ago, his second DNF at Watkins Glen. He has a 20.583 Watkins Glen average finish. Although he has yet to win on a road course, Burton has seven top-10 finishes in 23 road course events. His best Watkins Glen effort was a second in 2001. Season-to-date Loop Data highlight: Burton is ranked fourth in Closers (33). more on the Top Ten Heading Into The Glen