AT A GLANCE Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship

Kurt Busch (No. 97)
Chase points: First, 6,052 (No change)
What happened: Busch had his first bad race of the Chase, finishing 42nd after blowing engine. He saw his points lead sliced to 59 points, but it would have been much worse if his closest competitors had not also struggled.
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48)
Chase points: Second, 5,993 (+ 2)
What happened: OK, who said Johnson couldn't win the title? His third consecutive victory has lofted him right back into contention. He also needed the drivers in front of him in the standings to struggle -- and they all did, on the same day.
Jeff Gordon (No. 24)
Chase points: Third, 5,980 (- 1)
What happened: Gordon dropped to 72 points out of first after his 34th-place finish at Atlanta. He would have been out of the hunt completely if Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't have problems. Now he's battling teammate Johnson, as well.
Mark Martin (No. 6)
Chase points: Fourth, 5,971 (+ 1)
What happened: Martin pulled back into the Chase with a second-place finish at Atlanta. He led the most laps, and is now just 81 points out of first place in his bid to win his first championship.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 8)
Chase points: Fifth, 5,954 points (- 2)
What happened: Earnhardt might have taken over the points lead in Atlanta if not for wrecking while racing for the lead with 15 laps to go. He dropped to 33rd, and although he fell two spots in the standings, he still gained ground on Busch. He was 125 points out, now he trails Busch by just 98.
Tony Stewart (No. 20)
Chase points: Sixth, 5,907 (No change)
What happened: Stewart is still in it, but only because a win or two in the final three races could help him to his second series championship. He was ninth in Atlanta.
Ryan Newman (No. 12)
Chase points: Seventh, 5,861 (+ 2)
What happened: Newman started from the pole, but finished 17th. Still, he gained two spots in the standings.
Elliott Sadler (No. 38)
Chase points: Eighth, 5,815 (- 1)
What happened: Sadler collided with Joe Nemechek during a pit stop, and ended up finishing 36th.
Matt Kenseth (No. 17)
Chase points: Ninth, 5,795 (- 1)
What happened: Like his teammate Busch, Kenseth also blew an engine and ended up 41st. The defending series champion has no shot at repeating his title at 257 points back with three races to go and eight drivers in front of him.
Jeremy Mayfield (No. 19)
Chase points: 10th, 5,736 (No change)
What happened: Mayfield was off all day at Atlanta and struggled to a 26th-place finish.
Associated Press