Kenseth still has a shot at second Sprint Cup title

CHARLOTTE, NC - Matt Kenseth went into the final 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship last year as the points leader and already with five victories. He then started the Chase winning at Chicago and New Hampshire, but eventually was the season runner-up to Jimmie Johnson.<br /> <br /> In the new elimination-style playoff, Kenseth enters the Chase 14th among the 16 drivers still in title consideration, even without winning a race. And his championship chances are just as good as they were at this time a year ago.<br /> <br /> "Well, I'll let you know in December," Kenseth said Wednesday in Texas, when asked if he liked the new format. "It's just totally different. ... It's a really unique format, I'm really curious to see how it all works out."<br /> <br /> Kenseth admitted that he hadn't studied the new format very closely, or paid too close attention to points.<br /> <br /> "I always feel like if you win, you're good," Kenseth said. "If you can finish up in that top group every week, just see where it ends afterward."<br /> <br /> If Kenseth wins at Chicago or New Hampshire again, or Dover after that, he would automatically be among 12 drivers still in contention for the next three-race round. Four drivers will vie for the title in the Homestead season finale.<br /> <br /> "It's going to be real interesting to watch. I think there's going to be a lot of drama down the stretch," Kenseth said. "You've got to get through that thing one race at a time, one round at a time."<br /> <br /> <i>WDUN will have live MRN Radio coverage of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series MyAFibStory.com 400 from Chicagoland Speedway beginning at 1 pm on 102.9 FM.</i>