Halfway Home -The Chase for the Nextel Cup

(Picture by Chuck Burton/Associated Press)

Jeff Burtons 3^rd place finish last night slightly increased his lead in the Chase For the Cup. Burton now leads by 45 points over Matt Kenseth. The Canus Dongo Agitatus Kevin Harvick is third. Harvick clinched the Bush Series title Friday night. Brian Patton has more on that here. Five races to go and less than 110 points separate the top five. The big story was Jeff Gordon. Jeff once again could not contain the tears as the picture above reveals. Tough luck for STD favorite Mark Martin. Wise Girl's driver Jamie McMurray came in 34^th. I see the Bush Series in his future.

Update - Here is a great comparison chart for the Race For The Cup seasons 04, 05, and 06.

Technorati : Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, NASCAR, Nextel Cup