Well with the completion of Richmond, we finally know what the Chase field looks like for the 2009 season. There was one big change in the final week as well.
Here is what the lineup will look like after the points are reset for New Hampshire.
1. Lou Demian - Makes his first Chase in two years and is one of just 4 Chase drivers to win a race this year. That give him 10 bonus points and the official lead in the standings. This is his third appearance in the Chase
2. Larry Scroggins - The 2nd and only other Intimidator Racing, Inc. that made the Chase this year. This is also Larry's first Chase appearance in 2 years and third overall.
3. Stephen DiCaprio - One of three Racing Traditions, Inc. drivers to make the Chase this year. This will be the fourth straight year that Stephen has made the Chase. He finished 2nd last year.
4. Harry Jeffery - Another driver fitting the pattern of making his first Chase appearance in 2 years and third overall. He'll be looking for his first finish in the top 10 though.
5. Jordan Hunt - The 2007 Champion finished the regular season on top, just moving past Sue Perna in Richmond. The two had swapped the lead several times this year. This is Jordan's third straight year of making the Chase.
6. Sue Perna - Probably the biggest surprise of the season. Sue makes her first Chase in her career after a very strong year. Now we'll see how she performs in the Chase. Her previous best finish was 19th last year.
7. Kevin Sullivan - Will make his first Chase in his third season in the league. Had a good rookie season where he won the best of the rest award , but struggled in his sophomore year. Now Kevin will show what he can do after a strong season. Could be considered a favorite for the Championship.
8. Gary Wheat - This will be Gary's 2nd straight appearance in the Chase. Only managed one top 5 for the first part of the season but could be very strong with the rest of his Northeast Ohio Motorsports teammates.
9. Bob Douce - The third NE Ohio teammate to make the Chase. The only team to have all their drivers make it in. This is his third straight appearance.
10. Dean Higley - The 2nd of the RTI teammates to get in. Dean made the Chase in his rookie year but struggled the following season and finishes 20th. He'll look to make up for it this year.
11. Eli Schmittou - Another surprise this year. Who would have thought this would be the only Mafia Motorsports member to make the Chase this year. Eli will e carrying the banner for the team this year as she makes her very first Chase appearance.
12. Nathan helton - Here was the final move, Nathan finished in the top 10 at Richmond and bumped John Sherman out. This will be Nathan's fourth straight appearance in the Chase.
We have 7 different teams represented in the Chase this year, no single car teams.
Good luck to all the Chasers this year, and for all the rest.... good luck winning the Best of the Rest Award. Let the games begin!
Sorry, I miscalculated the official lineup going into New Hampshire. I forgot to factor in top 5's and top 10's for the reseeding of the Chase teams. Not that it's going to matter much since all teams are at least within 10 points of each other, but here is the order.
1. Stephen DiCaprio 2. Harry Jeffery 3. Larry Scroggins 4. Lou Demian 5. Kevin Sullivan 6. Sue Perna 7. Nathan Helton 8. Bob Douce 9. Jordan Hunt 10. Dean Higley 11. Eli Schmittou 12. Gary Wheat