NASCAR NNCS (DAYTONA) - Every Position Counts

The new “seeding” process, instituted for this season’s Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, has drivers competing for every position.

After the Sept. 8 race at Richmond International Raceway, the top 12 drivers will be re-seeded according to two performance standards – wins and finishing positions throughout the first 26 races.

Wins will be first and foremost. Each driver in the top 12 will have their points re-set to 5,000 points. Each will then receive a 10-point bonus for each race victory they had during the first 26 races.

In case of ties, the seedings will come down to the amount of second-place finishes, third-place finishes and so on. For example, below is how the top 12 would be seeded after Indianapolis:

Driver Points 1. Jeff Gordon 5,040 2. Jimmie Johnson 5,040 3. Tony Stewart 5,020 4. Matt Kenseth 5,010 5. Kyle Busch 5,010 6. Denny Hamlin 5,010 7. Jeff Burton 5,010 8. Martin Truex Jr. 5,010 9. Kevin Harvick 5,010 10. Carl Edwards 5,010 11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5,000 12. Clint Bowyer 5,000

Positions 1 and 2

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson both have four wins.

* Gordon receives the top-ranking based on four second-place finishes to Johnson’s one.

Position 3

Tony Stewart assumes the third position based on his two victories, more than the remaining drivers.

Positions 4 through 10

Seven drivers have one victory – vying for positions 4 through 10.

* With two second-place finishes, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch would lock up the fourth and fifth positions.

* Kenseth takes the fourth position based on his one third-place finish compared to none for Busch.

* With one second-place finish, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. locking up sixth through ninth.

* Hamlin has three third-place finishes – more than the other three drivers, giving him sixth. * Burton and Truex are tied with two third-place finishes each. Burton’s two fourths – Truex has none – gives him the seventh position, leaving Truex in eighth. * Harvick has no thirds – moving him to ninth.

Carl Edwards has no second-place finishes, dropping him to 10th.

Positions 11 and 12

Two drivers in the top 12 have no victories: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Clint Bowyer. Each have one fourth-place finish as their best of the season.

* Dale Earnhardt Jr. assumes the 11th position based on his two fifth-place finishes, while Clint Bowyer’s next-best finish has been sixth.