SPRINT CUP SERIES – GEICO 400

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – GEICO 400, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2 P.M. ET ON ESPN

Kenseth Carries No. 1 Seed Into Postseason Competition

Matt Kenseth enters this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ as the No. 1 seed based upon his five regular season victories. Kenseth starts the 10-race postseason with 2,015 points, three more than second- and third-seeded Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. Johnson, in pursuit of his sixth championship, has won 22 of 90 Chase races, a winning percentage of .244.

Past Two Chicagoland Winners Captured NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships

This marks the third season that Chicagoland Speedway has opened the Chase. Both September winners – Brad Keselowski in 2012 and Tony Stewart in 2011 – went on to claim the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. One other opening-race winner, Kurt Busch at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2004, also captured the championship.

Kurt Busch’s Momentum Offsets Lack Of High Chase Seeding

Kurt Busch enters the Chase as the No. 10 seed but without a 2013 victory. The 2004 champion, however, arguably owns the greatest momentum of the 12 qualifiers. Busch has finished among the top five in three of the past four races with five top 10s in his last six starts. Busch, however, has yet to post a top five at Chicagoland. His best performances are three sixths. His average finish is 18.3.

First-Year Penske Racing Driver Logano Only Chase Rookie

Joey Logano is the only first-time Chase qualifier in this year’s field. Logano is the fifth different driver to reach the Chase with Roger Penske, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup owner champion. Logano, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch were not in the 2012 Chase. Last year’s qualifiers who missed the cut are Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon.

Harvick Taking Seventh and Final Chase Bow With Richard Childress Racing

Kevin Harvick will compete in his seventh and final Chase for Richard Childress Racing. Harvick, who fashioned third place championship finishes in 2010-11, has been in the No. 29 RCR Chevrolet in each of his 456 starts but will move to Stewart-Haas Racing next season. Harvick won Chicagoland Speedway’s first two NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2001-02.