Matt Kenseth was without Robbie Reiser for qualifying, but the No. 17 crew chief will be there for the race. Credit: Autostock

Kenseth not giving up, but admits chances slim

FORT WORTH, Texas -- With three races to go, Matt Kenseth isn't willing to concede the 2005 Nextel Cup championship, but 155 points behind Tony Stewart, he admits his chances are slim, at best.

"I think we still have a chance," Kenseth said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway. "Obviously our chance is not as good as the guys that are closer, but we still have an outside shot if something happens to the front couple of guys and we can have a good day and finish in the top five."

Inside the Chase Point standings entering Texas Pos. Driver Points Behind 1. T. Stewart 6,100 -- 2. J. Johnson 6,057 -43 3. G. Biffle 6,025 -75 4. C. Edwards 5,993 -107 5. R. Newman 5,993 -107 6. M. Martin 5,957 -143 7. M. Kenseth 5,945 -155 8. R. Wallace 5,843 -257 9. Ku. Busch 5,840 -260 10. J. Mayfield 5,790 -310 Matt Kenseth's Chase results Race Start Finish Loudon 4 3 Dover 11 35 Talladega 11 3 Kansas 1 5 Charlotte 18 26 Martinsville 25 12 Atlanta 23 5 Dickies 500 Qualifying Results Pos. Driver Speed Time 1. R. Newman 192.947 27.987 2. J. Gordon 192.397 28.067 3. M. Kenseth 191.966 28.130 4. J. Nemechek 191.652 28.176 5. J. Mayfield 191.408 28.212 • Race Lineup, click here ALSO •   Kenseth inherits pole after Newman slams into wall

However, Kenseth realizes that from a realistic standpoint, he has to climb over six other contenders -- and that's not likely to happen.

"We're a ways out of it and we're probably not going to be right up there with the front two guys," Kenseth said. "So we're going to run as hard as we can the last three weeks."

Kenseth's weekend got off to a great start, as his lap of 191.966 mph was third-fastest in Bud Pole Qualifying. Because pole-sitter Ryan Newman crashed his primary car on his second lap, he'll lead the field down to the green flag in Sunday's Dickies 500.

In contrast, Kenseth started 39th the last time the Nextel Cup Series visited the Lone Star State.

"Our lap was a lot better than I expected," Kenseth said. "I got through [Turns] 1 and 2 really good and kind of missed it in 3 and 4. That's pretty cool. I'm excited about starting from the front on Sunday. Hopefully, we can get up front and lead some laps and try to earn as many points as we can."

Kenseth said he wasn't surprised to see Newman try to better his time with a second lap.

"He always does that," he said. "If he gets a good first lap, he always runs that second lap. A lot of times, he'll get a faster lap.

"I think he blew a [right-front] tire or something. I don't think that has anything to do with running a second lap."

Kenseth was without his crew chief, as Robbie Reiser was home with his ill father.

"It's a lot different without Robbie being here," Kenseth said. "I think it was hard for him to be away [Friday]. It's a little different group over there but Robbie's laid a great foundation, done a great job of organizing everybody, so even if you miss a person or two, everything keeps on right along."

Kenseth said his team has at least proven that they can run up front every week.

"I think all the races in the Chase, except for Martinsville, we should've had top-fives," he said. "We ran in the top five at all those races, and I've been really happy with that. Our performance has been really good. So if we can do that again this weekend and we can race up in the top five and finish there, I'd be satisfied with the weekend."

Even though it doesn't really matter, Kenseth's goal is to wind up no lower than fifth in the final standings.

"To me, if you can't win it, it doesn't matter if you finish second or 10th in a way," Kenseth said. "But our team and the way we do a lot of things, our sponsor and all that with incentives, with being in the top five and stuff like that ... it's better."