NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter says more than 10 drivers could possibly make the Chase. Credit: Autostock

Tie for 10th place means more than 10 in Chase

RICHMOND, Va. -- NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter raised a ruckus Friday when he misspoke during the Nextel Cup Series qualifying broadcast while trying to explain various scenarios were teams to leave Richmond with an equal number of points.

Hunter explained that "all ties in the top 10 positions qualify for the Chase," meaning if drivers tied for every position within the top-10 that 20 drivers could possibly make the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

In fact, the only position that particular rule applies to is 10th.

Were four drivers to tie for 10th position overall, all four would make the Chase, thus meaning 13 total drivers would qualify to race for the championship.

If two drivers tied for ninth, just 10 would make it.

"Nobody's asked about ties, quite frankly," Hunter told TNT's Allen Bestwick. "We've said all along if they're in that top 10, whether it's in a position or in a tie for one of those top 10 positions, they earn a spot in the Chase."

Hunter explained that the same scenario is not used in the final standings.

"At the end of the year if there are ties, then we'll go to the rule book and break the tie with the driver who had the most firsts, the most seconds, as we normally do."

Entering Saturday night's event, Jamie McMurray sits 10th, just one point ahead of Ryan Newman.

"Anybody that races in that first 26 and ends up tied in one of those top 10 positions, they get a shot at it," said Hunter.