Chase Chasers

The focus in Sprint Cup racing these days is on the top 12, of course, but don't overlook the hammer-and-tongs battle being waged for 13th place (the top spot for drivers outside of the Chase): Second-year driver David Ragan (above) is 86 points ahead of Kasey Kahne. Ragan seized the advantage from Kahne on Sept. 28 with a eighth-place finish at Kansas and has held on. Kahne, 28, who finished second last Saturday, is a known quantity to Cup fans, especially at Charlotte, where he won the All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600 in May. But in the Chase phase of the schedule, the 22-year-old Ragan has been his equal in running off three straight top 10s. It would be no surprise to see both drivers continue their rivalry next season—in the Chase, instead of among the also-rans.