How the Chase drivers and everyone else stack up after Texas
With non-Chaser Jimmie Johnson winning the AAA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, three slots remain open in the Championship Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
The Texas race was the second of three in the Eliminator Round of the Chase. But because Johnson won, no one else guaranteed himself a spot in the title battle, which will take place in two weeks at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
After next Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway, four drivers will be eliminated from title contention and the top four will advance to the championship event at Homestead.
Here's how the field shapes up after Texas:
Jeff Gordon is locked into the Championship Round after winning last week's race at Martinsville Speedway.
Kyle Busch is second in points, with a lead of 11 points over fifth place.
Kevin Harvick is third in points, with a lead of 10 points over fifth place.
Martin Truex Jr. is fourth in points, with a lead of seven points over fifth place.
Carl Edwards is fifth in points, seven points out of fourth.
Brad Keselowski is sixth in points, 19 points out of fourth.
Kurt Busch is seventh in points, 28 points out of fourth.
Joey Logano is eighth in points, 63 points out of fourth.
The big losers on the day were Penske teammates Keselowski and Logano. Keselowski led 312 of 334 laps but got passed at the end by Johnson. Had he won, Keselowski would have been locked into the Championship Round. He now faces a must-win situation in Phoenix, as does teammate Logano, who cut a tire earlier and finished 40th at Texas.
All the remaining drivers have been eliminated from championship contention.
