Don't discount feats by drivers out of contention
They may not win the Cup this year, but these drivers have achieved a lot
 Jason Smith / Getty Images for NASCAR He may be last in the standings, but making the Chase was an accomplishment in itself for Brian Vickers this season. |
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No matter what happens in the remaining races in NASCAR's Chase For The Sprint Cup, fans shouldn't overlook the accomplishments of several of the teams and drivers that made the field but have now fallen well back.
A close look at even those who are more than 150 points out of the running shows just how well they have done this season.
Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers, for instance, made the Chase for the first time in what was just the third full season for that organization. Richard Petty Motorsports' Kasey Kahne returned to the title-determining segment of the season for the first time since 2006, when he won six races and finished eighth. So did Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman, who gambled on a new team and returned to championship contention after a three-year absence, while former teammate Kurt Busch of Penske Racing also made his first Chase since 2005 as well.
And some of the contenders have wracked up accomplishments that may be even more impressive.
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya, for one, made the Chase for the first time in his three-year career - and for the first time for team co-owner Chip Ganassi, whose Chip Ganassi Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. prior to the season. And look at what he has done since making the field.
Montoya entered this season with five career top-five finishes. He now has 12 total, five of which have come in the six-race Chase. It's the strongest run of his Cup career and one that has him fifth in the standings. No matter where he finishes overall this season, Montoya has gained attention, and he and his Brian Pattie-led team have become a force to be reckoned with. If they carry this level of performance into next season, Montoya is certain to be a championship contender once more – and a driver who might enter the Chase with some wins instead of conservative runs aimed at making that field.
Stewart-Haas Racing's Tony Stewart, meanwhile, has drawn comparisons to owner/driver champion Alan Kulwicki after taking half ownership of what was the struggling Haas CNC Racing team and turning it into a championship-contending group in its first season with him at the helm.
He has won four races and built a group that is competing with NASCAR's elite. Not only did his own car gain ground and make the Chase, so did that of teammate Newman. It's a program that could continue to contend in championship fields for years to come.
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For some, just making the Chase was a giant step in building their organizations. All have enjoyed strong performances during these races, though some have been haunted by setbacks.
In the offseason, one hopes they can focus on those highlight moments and the runs that made them championship contenders to start with – and the promise this season offers for 2010.
Rea White is an Associate Editor of SceneDaily.com.
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