And then there were four: NASCAR closing in on crowning Cup champion
Back in the February chill of Daytona Beach and the optimism-filled days leading to the season-opening Daytona 500, dozens of drivers were eligible for the big trophy that will be in the hands of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup champion Sunday night.
Now, the season in twilight and 35 points races having been contested, that field has been reduced to four — former champions Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski and non-champion (but perhaps favored this time) Martin Truex Jr.
After three rounds of practice, qualifying and endless talk about the championship, the Final Four will race over 267 laps and 400.5 miles Sunday with the top stock car racing title in the world going to the one of the four who finishes highest. Winning isn’t necessary, although it’s been standard in this competition, so drivers and crew chiefs aim for that.
The title will be decided at Homestead-Miami Speedway, a tough 1.5-mile track 300 miles south of Daytona International Speedway, where it all began.
Mayhem might ensue.