September 14, 2005

By Rebecca Gladden

With the completion of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 in Richmond on Saturday, the field is officially set for NASCAR's Chase for the Championship.

Seven of the 10 Chase participants made the cut for the second year in a row. Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, Jeremy Mayfield, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman, all members of the Chase's freshman class last year, are back for the sophomore season of the 10-race playoff-style run for the Nextel Cup.

New to this year's Chase group are Greg Biffle, Rusty Wallace and Carl Edwards, while the three contenders from last year who were unable to repeat are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Elliott Sadler.

This year as last, both fans and casual observers of the sport seem to struggle with the question of the role of the non-Chase drivers - particularly when it seems that they drop off the media's radar screen in the latter third of the season.

One feature of the Chase that distinguishes it from the playoffs of other sports is that NASCAR drivers and teams who are no longer contending for the championship, continue to compete every week with the 10 drivers who are in the Chase.

The question then arises, what drives the drivers who participate in the final 10 Cup races, knowing that they have no chance to win the title?

Actually, there are many factors which motivate the non-contenders to persevere; among them:

• Fans: Most NASCAR fans are incredibly loyal to their drivers and will continue to support them through difficult times. Drivers are cognizant of this and realize how much a victory would mean to their fans, even if the championship is out of reach.

• Sponsors: With primary Cup car sponsorships running upwards of $18-20 million, drivers and teams will continue to feel the pressure to perform and to have their cars showcased in Victory Lane. Nothing says "pay attention to me" better than winning a race.

• Momentum: Momentum is that mysterious factor which all drivers and teams wish to gain and maintain, although very few can pinpoint exactly how to do so. A strong finish to the season is considered vital to carry one's momentum through the off-season and into the Daytona 500 in February.

• Adjustments: Drivers not participating in the Chase have the freedom to start addressing the problems that may have contributed to poor performance in the first 26 races. This may involve trying new car set-ups, making changes to team personnel and even preparing for new drivers, crew chiefs and sponsors in '06.

• 11th Place: Another quirky feature of NASCAR's Chase for the Championship is that 11th place is a highly coveted position. In last year's inaugural Chase season, NASCAR increased the monetary award for 11th place by more than $400,000, to just under $1 million total for the highest finisher among non-Chase contenders. The 11th place driver also joins the top-10 on stage at the Nextel Cup awards banquet in New York.

• Pride: It will be painful enough for most drivers to miss the cut, particularly those who were near-misses. Unlike last season, two of NASCAR's most recognizable and marketable drivers are not in this year's Chase. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon will be just two of 33 drivers each week who will still try to win races, if for no other reason than to prove that they can.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.