Gordon, Kahne take big fall in points after MIS trouble (cont'd)

"We've been in a situation where we've kind of been just stuck in the middle," Gordon said. "I don't want to be where we are in the points right now, but in some ways, this is an easier position to be in because now we just go out there and run hard every weekend and we can take chances and do things that can maybe get us that win.

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I don't think that this hurt too bad. We're not going to be far from 12th but it's going to be very attainable to get into the Chase. We've got three [races] to go and we can still definitely make the Chase.

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KASEY KAHNE

"You can't risk fuel mileage, you can't risk putting two tires on -- we've got to stay with four tires. And we can't get too risky with our setups. You're just trying to ride along there and not make mistakes. Now a mistake is made and I'm just glad we were running good finally."

Kahne's problems came on Lap 137 when it appeared the engine on his No. 9 Dodge gave out (watch video). He was able to return to the track within 20 laps and complete 30 more circuits, but in the end finished 40th and dropped to 11th in the standings with three races to go.

"I had a problem when I pulled into the pits. It happened real quick," Kahne said. "I did all that I could do in the car to see if there was anything wrong with the switches. All the gauges looked good, we just had something break inside the engine.

"I haven't had an issue with an Evernham engine in three years that I can remember. We do a great job, we just had some type of an issue. We'll find out what it was, but it was pretty big."

Just 47 points inside the top 12, Kahne could be concerned about falling out of the 10-race playoff, but he doesn't think that way -- he firmly believes he'll be in the top 12 come New Hampshire.

"I'm upset because I thought we had a car to finish inside the top 10," Kahne said. "I don't think that this hurt too bad. We're not going to be far from 12th but it's going to be very attainable to get into the Chase. We've got three [races] to go and we can still definitely make the Chase."

On the other end of the spectrum is Denny Hamlin, who saw his race come to a premature end just six laps from the finish when the engine blew on his No. 11 Toyota, ruining what would have been a top-10 run (watch video). When he got out of his car, it was clear his outlook on the future wasn't rosy.

"We came here with a new engine package," Hamlin said. "We're a bubble driver. We just make stupid choices. We can't keep our cars together; we have dash malfunctions, motors breaking. At this point, we don't even deserve to be in the Chase."

Hamlin finished 39th, falling three spots to 12th in the point standings, 26 points in front of 13th place.