NASCAR makes tweak to tiebreaker rule for Chase

Drivers tied for 10th place both eligible to compete in playoffs

FONTANA, Calif. -- NASCAR announced a rule change Saturday that could put more than 10 teams into the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

The top 10 drivers and those within 400 points of the leader are eligible for the Chase. But the new rule says if two competitors are tied for 10th, even if they are not within the 400-point window, both drivers will become eligible for the Chase.

Previously, NASCAR's chase rules stated that in the event for a tie for 10th place, a tiebreaker would come into play and the driver with more wins, top-five finishes or top-10 finishes would enter the Chase. The loser of the tiebreaker essentially would be in 11th place and out of the Chase.