Another consistent run, but Bowyer loses Chase points (cont'd)

"Zero DNFs. You've got to be impressed with that," Gordon said. "That's a measure of consistency right there."

But what is even more impressive to Gordon about Bowyer is what Bowyer has done in his No. 07 Chevrolet over the last five weeks.

"To me, the real key is when the moment comes, when the Chase for the championship is on, do you have what it takes to step it up?" Gordon said. "Every year we see guys do that, and he's doing that this year. He's stepping it up and it's been impressive."

While that's nice and all, Bowyer said now the challenge is to step it up even more over the final five races.

"I think Jeff has been the guy to beat all year long -- not necessarily just in the Chase," Bowyer said. "Both of those guys [Gordon and Johnson] have been on top of the game all year long. The whole [Hendrick Motorsports] organization has.

"But you know, for me and my team and our organization, we've just got to pick it up a little bit. They are going to have to stub their toes a little bit for us to catch them. I've just got to go out and win races and lead the most laps and run them down, because even then they are going to finish right behind you.

"So it's going to take quite a bit of luck. But you know, we've seen stranger things happen."

Meanwhile, Bowyer said that he appreciates the position he's currently in. After all, this is only his second full-time season at the Cup level with Richard Childress Racing.

"It's very gratifying," Bowyer said. "This is only our second year together. We're running up front and doing what we're paid to do. You know, we won a race; we're running for a championship. It's been an awesome year so far.

"We have five races to go. We have to keep this momentum strong and keep everybody with a pep in their step."

After another strong run Saturday night, anything seems possible.

"I'm just thrilled that I made it through here without hitting that Turn 4 wall, to be honest with you," said Bowyer, laughing. "You just go to the racetrack and race as hard as you can and control what you can. It's going to take a lot of luck on our part and a lot of misfortune on their part. But if that happens on their end, we've got to be able to take advantage of it. That's the only thing we can do."