Great question, Roger! Larry McReynolds who was the announcer for Fox and the announcer for TNT who had explained the pit stops and technical car stuff had said once during a TNT race that a driver can earn 161 points total in a race. I assume that is if he gets the pole, led the most laps, and then went on to win the race. Because I did hear a lower number from somewhere else, but I do remember Larry saying that. Well Gordon starts eightth tomorrow with Juan Montoya at the pole, so Gordon wouldn't get the extra points from starting at the pole. But he could lead the most laps, in fact he holds the record for leading the most laps at the Brickyard, and could end up winning. So I would say that if Kevin Harvick had some major car issues and didn't finish or finished at the end, that Gordon could take the lead away from Harvick. At this point, Gordon really needs a win and that is what he is going for on Sunday...well he always is, but more so than normal now that he is secured in points. He needs the extra ten points that they get with each win. He has the most top five finishes so far with ten, five consecutive top five finishes. But without a win, once the chase starts up, they say Gordon will be twelveth in points. The last spot. Granted that is fifty points between the twelveth and first place at that point (so far, since Hamlin and Johnson both have five wins so far. So they'll have 50 points extra to lean upon) and that could be easily beaten with a great race from him and a not so good race from the others. But having those extra points would be great comfort going into the chase. Great question Roger. Don't wish nothing bad for Harvick (not a Harvick fan myself, but my aunt is) but would love to see Gordon's name up front for a change this year. HA HA. (Sorry for all the Gordon facts here...know not all is Gordon fans as myself. Just pointing out facts and info on the chase and how it works. Using him as an example.)