Let the Chase Begin

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) – The focus returns to the track for NASCAR after a tumultuous week of fines and docked points for Michael Waltrip Racing.

Qualifying for the first of 10 Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship races is set for later today at Chicagoland. Matt Kenseth goes into the weekend with a three-point lead in the standings. Five-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are tied for second heading into Sunday’s race.

Ryan Newman goes into the weekend as part of the 12-driver title chase after NASCAR took 50 points away from Martin Truex Jr. as part of MWR’s penalties for manipulating the outcome of Saturday’s race at Richmond. That knocked Truex out of the Chase.