Jeff Gordon

Gordon was bumped from the top spot in the points by teammate Jimmied Johnson. Gordon only trails Johnson by six points heading into Palladia this weekend. Client Bower trails Gordon by just eight points. Gordon says Bower is a perfect example of why a good handful of Chase contenders cannot be counted out of winning the title this year. "Leading into New Hampshire it was Client Bower who, and then after New Hampshire it was like, look at this guy, a new superstar."

The 14-point margin between first and third in the points standings is the closet after three events in the four-year history of the Chase.