2004 Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch is the defending race winner of the Sylvania 300 at Loudon. Credit: Autostock

Ten races, 10 drivers set to determine champion

Tony Stewart -- one of seven drivers to again qualify for the Chase -- leads the field to New Hampshire as the points leader in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. He finished sixth in the final standings in 2004, largely because of circumstances beyond his control.

The beating and banging at Loudon began on Lap 17, when Greg Biffle spun Robby Gordon into the wall. On Lap 64, Gordon hit Biffle from behind to ignite a multi-car crash that damaged the cars Chase contenders Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield.

Inside the Chase Point standings No. Driver Points Behind 1. T. Stewart 5,050 -- 2. G. Biffle 5,045 -5 3. R. Wallace 5,040 -10 4. J. Johnson 5,035 -15 5. Ku. Busch 5,030 -20 6. M. Martin 5,025 -25 7. J. Mayfield 5,020 -30 8. C. Edwards 5,015 -35 tie M. Kenseth 5,015 -35 10. R. Newman 5,005 -45 Manufacturers in the Chase field Make Drivers Wins Ford 5 11 Dodge 3 1 Chevrolet 2 7 ALSO Not sure how the Chase works? The point system explained.  •   Complete story, click here •   Complete Chase coverage

Gordon drew a two-lap penalty from NASCAR for ramming into Biffle, but the title hopes of Stewart and Mayfield were dashed.

This year, Stewart is hoping for a dramatically different result out of the gate.

"There are 43 guys who start the race and there's 10 of us in the Chase," Stewart said. "You can't control the other 33 guys. They've got a right to race just like everyone else. They're still racing for their spot in the point standings and their share of championship prize money too.

"I'm not sure there's any solution to prevent what happened last year. When you're in the top 10 there at the end you've got to protect yourself. You've got to race hard but you've also got to protect yourself, and that's how you get into the Chase to begin with. It was just an unfortunate deal, but we always knew in the back of our minds that something like that could happen. We just didn't anticipate that it would happen in the first race of the Chase."

The Chase field, which includes newcomers Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and Rusty Wallace, will go fender-to-fender during the next 10 races. The champion will be crowned after the season-ending race on Nov. 20 at Homestead.

Jimmie Johnson, who finished second last season to Kurt Busch by eight in the closest points race in series history, said there are pluses and minuses to the Chase finally being at hand.

"If you're hitting your stride, you're all about the Chase starting, but if you're downhill fighting your way up, you'd want a couple of weeks before the Chase starts so you can sort out your own stuff. We didn't get off to a good start last year and almost won it so we'll just have to work hard and see what happens."

Johnson -- as well as every other competitor -- is fighting his way up against Stewart, who has 12 consecutive top-10 finishes since Michigan in June.

Nonetheless, Johnson's No. 48 team is geared up for Loudon. "We tested [at] Milwaukee," he said, "and felt really good about what we learned and feel like it will crossover and hopeful it will all go well."

Mayfield will enter the Chase seventh in points, and likely as the most overlooked contender. Still, he said the No. 19 team's objective is the same as it has been for the past 26 weeks.

"We won't have any different strategy for the [next] 10 races," Mayfield said. "We'll go to each event looking to take our Dodge Charger to Victory Lane. If that isn't possible, then we want to take every position we can. We don't want to leave anything on the table."

Mayfield's average finishing position at NHIS -- 25.4 -- is the worst among the Chase drivers. He has finished 20th or worse in 13 of his 19 starts at Loudon, but Mayfield said the team will continue to what brought it to the dance.

"Slugger [Labbe, crew chief] is aggressive," Mayfield said. "He races to win. He's been a great addition to our team this year. Kenny [Francis, team director] is the same way. They're willing to make gutsy calls. They work well together. That's why we're in the Chase.

"I'm really proud of my guys," he said. "They've given me good stuff all year. We just keep getting better and better. My guys don't get the credit and respect they deserve, but that's fine. Underrated is underrated."