(UPDATE) -- This week's event at Watkins Glen marks the halfway point in the Race To The Chase. The battle for seeding in the Chase heats up. Tony Stewart knows good finishes are nice, but wins are what counts now. "Whether you are first or twelfth doesn't matter, it's how many races can you win in the meantime and get those 10 extra points right now," said Stewart.

Seeding in the Chase is determined by the number of wins. Right now, Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are tops in wins. Even though Johnson has hit a slump lately, Gordon believes his teammate is a strong contender for the championship. "I think that they just got to keep their heads up, keep working hard, they've been very fast. I certainly look at them as a major threat for the championship this year," said Gordon.

Should Gordon and Johnson remain the top in holders tied at four each, the driver with the best finishes would get the top seed. As it stands right now, that would put Gordon as the number one seed and Johnson as the number two seed.

Juan Pablo Montoya

The former Formula One driver admits he and his crew chief, Donnie Wingo, have finally started to gel. "The last few races have been getting better. We've been getting very good results."

He is 267 points out from 12th in the point standings. This leaves him with a steep hill to climb to make the Chase. "Being realistic, the only way to get up there is having a bit of luck and you gotta be at least in the top-five in every race." Montoya currently leads the Rookie of The Year Standings.