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NASCAR: Power Ranking The 2016 Chase Drivers Before Chicagoland

By Christopher Olmstead

Sep 10, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series drivers pose for a photo with the chase trophy after the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series drivers pose for a photo with the chase trophy after the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 13 – Jimmie Johnson

Will the real Jimmie Johnson please stand up?

Johnson has the world against him in the NASCAR Chase and it has nothing to do with the world and everything to do with the No. 48 team. The bad news for Johnson in the Chase is that it’s the Chase and Johnson has not found success in the Chase since the new format came to be in 2014. Throw in the fact that the No. 48 team has been a mess for weeks now and things just don’t seem to be trending in the right direction for the six-time champion.

Over the first 11 races of the 2016 season, Johnson only had two finishes outside of the top-20 to go along with a pair of wins. In the last 15 races Johnson has six finishes of 25th or worse (five of them 30th or worse) and he has not won a race. Not only has the consistency slipped but the mistakes have grown. The No. 48 team has been plagued by pit road miscues, speeding penalties and other mishaps this season, something that is not common on a team led by Chad Knaus.

Can they flip a switch in the Chase or will it be another playoff struggle?

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