Sprint Cup - Standings Battle Gets Fierce With 14 Races To Go

Daytona, July 28, 2011: No one has been able to run away with the points lead this season and the trend continues into Lucas Oil Raceway – the top-three drivers are separated by 14 points. Turner Motorsports’ Reed Sorenson leads the way with 14 races to go just five points ahead of Roush Fenway Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and 14 points ahead of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Elliott Sadler, in third. There have been 11 points lead changes this season and the tight competition does not appear to be loosening up one bit.

Sorenson is a fan of short-track racing and it shows in his stats at Lucas Oil Raceway, site of his series debut in 2004. In four starts, he has notched three top fives, three top 10s, one pole and 49 laps led. Sorenson has completed 100 percent of the laps attempted and has an average starting position of 6.8 and average finish of 5.8. Sorenson’s best career finish at the .686-mile short track is second in 2006.

Stenhouse has made one start at LOR, starting third and finishing 11th last season. Sadler on the other hand has three starts, but hasn’t competed there since 1998. In his last two starts at the .686-mile track, he finished second.

Sorenson leads all championship contenders in pre-race Driver Rating with 116.1.