How far back is too far?
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009
Alan Kulwicki, who was rookie of the year in 1986 and won the Winston Cup championship in 1992, gets ready to go at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 1987. Kulwicki was among those killed in a plane crash near Bristol, Tenn., in April 1993. – Charlotte Observer file
Mark Martin is 108 points back heading into the season finale. What's the most ground anyone has made up this late?
85 points: That's the biggest two-race deficit, which Alan Kulwicki overcame to win the 1992 championship – by 10 points over Bill Elliott.
30 points: The deficit Kulwicki faced entering that season's finale. It was the late owner/driver's only NASCAR championship.
Who's Hot
JIMMIE JOHNSON: Will soon begin his own "Drive for 5."
KYLE BUSCH: About to collect the first NASCAR championship of his career.
MARK MARTIN: If there were championships for class, he would have plenty.
RON HORNADAY: Yet another NASCAR record holder – with championship No. 4.
And Who's (or What's) Not
JEFF GORDON: Just couldn't close the deal late in races this season.
BRAD KESELOWSKI/DENNY HAMLIN FEUD: Brad won't let up and Hamlin won't let it go.
This week's race
Ford 400
WHAT: 267 laps, or 400.5 miles
WHERE: Homestead-Miami Speedway, a 1.5-mile paved, banked oval in Homestead, Fla.
WHEN: 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Qualifying is 3:10 p.m. Friday.
TV: ABC.
RADIO: Motor Racing Network.
LAST YEAR'S WINNER: Carl Edwards.
Also this week
Ford 200: Camping World Truck Series, Homestead-Miami Speedway, 8 p.m. Friday, Speed.
Ford 300: Nationwide Series, Homestead-Miami Speedway, 4 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2.
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