13 down, 13 to go

The NASCAR Sprint Cup season is at a halfway point this week. No, not halfway through the season, but halfway to the start of the 10-race Chase for the Championship. With 13 races remaining until Chase Race 1 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, here are the top 12 drivers and a few who may have a chance to battle their way in:
1. Kyle Busch, 2,050 points
He has four Sprint Cup wins and the best average finish (7.4) in the series. He hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down. Chase contender? YES
2. Jeff Burton, 1,908 (-142)
Consistency earns a place in the Chase. Burton has one win, but he also has nine top-10 finishes. Chase contender? Yes
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 1,779 (-271)
Junior hasn’t won this year, but he’s mirrored Burton with consistent finishes in the top 10 (nine) or top five (five). Chase contender? Yes
4. Carl Edwards, 1,713 (-337)
Edwards has clawed back from an early season 100-point penalty. He has three wins and should earn at least one more before the Chase starts. Chase contender? Yes
5. Greg Biffle, 1,658 (-392)
On May 10, Biffle, right, was 11th in the standings after a 43rd-place finish at Darlington. Since then he’s collected some momentum with finishes of second and third. Chase contender? Yes
6. Jeff Gordon, 1,646 (-404)
Gordon was 13th in points after 10 races. In the past three, he’s finished third, fourth and fifth, but is still searching for a win. Chase contender? Certainly
7. Jimmie Johnson, 1,644 (-406)
OK, do not adjust your web page. Johnson is BEHIND the leader by 406 points, not ahead. Don’t fret. He’s likely toying with the competition. Chase contender? Yes
8. Clint Bowyer 1,633 (-417)
Bowyer, left, needs to improve at two of the summer’s biggest tracks — 2.5-mile Pocono (20.0 average finish) and 2-mile Michigan (26.2) — to move up the standings. Chase contender? Yes
9. Denny Hamlin, 1,630 (-420)
Hamlin plummeted five spots in the standings after finishing 43rd last week. A win at Pocono on Sunday would help. Chase contender? Yes
10. Kevin Harvick, 1,566 (-484)
Harvick’s five top-10 finishes have kept him in the hunt. He needs a few more to stay. Chase contender. No
11. Tony Stewart, 1,551 (-499)
Smoke hasn’t hit his customary summer hot streak yet. Emphasis on yet. His Chase chances depend on it. Chase contender? Yes
12. Kasey Kahne, 1,524 (-526)
Kahne won the Coco-Cola 600, but his average finish of 17.1 doesn’t suggest a Chase spot. Chase contender? No
Contenders outside the top 12
Matt Kenseth (16th, 95 out of 12th): The 2003 champ will make it.
Ryan Newman (14th, 29 out): He’ll make his first Chase since 2005.
David Ragan (13th, eight out): Sophomore has a chance, but it’s slim.
Martin Truex Jr. (15th, 83 out): Lacks mojo, results. No chance.
Juan Pablo Montoya (17th, 134 out): Needs a lot more top-fives and some team chemistry.

-- Michele Vincze