Closest Points Battle Ever

H

HardScrabble

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Five to go... Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Pontiac), by virtue of his third-place finish last week at Charlotte, padded his NASCAR Winston Cup championship lead, but still is involved in the closest race among the top five with five races left (under the current points system established in 1975). The top five are separated by 182 points and Stewart's closest pursuer is rookie Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet), 97 back.

Closest points battles between 1st and 5th with 5 races remaining (since 1975):

Year ----- Point Leader ----------- Points between Top 5
2002 ----- Tony Stewart ----------- 182
1980 ----- Dale Earnhardt ---------- 185
1984 ----- Terry Labonte --------- 247
1992 ----- Bill Elliott ---------- 283
1985 ------ Bill Elliott ---------- 335

Just a note to the over-confident or those who have lost the faith. In the four years listed above not counting this year; half of the time the leader at this point lost the championship. Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte went on to win in 1980 and 1984 respectively. Bill Elliott had the misfortune to lose the points race in both 1992 to Alan Kulwicki and in 1985 to Darrell Waltrip.
 
It's close, but far from a done deal. No question it's Tony's lead to lose. One terrible finish out of the Home Depot bunch, and it's right there for the taking. There are so many factors that they can't control that in no way is it over with.

I figure someone will be virtually eliminated this week. Martinsville is more about survival than anything else. The smart, experienced drivers who know how to take care of brakes and tires have an edge. Realizing that they can't win the points this week, but they sure can lose it, will serve them well. For that reason, I look for Martin to move back ahead of Jimmie. But I've been wrong before.
 
Actually added that note after the fact. Had the stats all up and ready on the word processor.

Read a blurb from one of the nets racing scribes stating that Tony could only lose the championship if he suffered a DNF in the remaining schedule. Seemed to me a patently stupid thing to say since an average difference of 20 points per race between Tony and JJ is all that separates the two and only an average of 25 separates Tony and Mark.

Almost sent off an email to point out the obvious to Michael, but he's a confirmed moron in my book anyway.

Tony has a better than good chance to win it all. I think only about 6 times under the current system has the leader with five races remaining failed to capture the title. Nonetheless, the Home Depot team can hardly afford "sit" on the lead he has now.
 
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