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Outside but looking up

Sporting News, The, Nov 15, 2004 by Kathy Sheldon

Jamie McMurray, Kasey Kahne, Joe Nemechek and Kevin Harvick all fell below the threshold for the 2004 Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. But each has talent and a shot at being in the hunt for the title in 2005. Here's why:

Jamie McMurray' He's a cinch for the title run next season. After a cheap penalty cost him 25 points and a chance at the 2004 Chase, he will be competing with a chip on his shoulder. And he has showed in the Chase races that he's using the miss as motivation rather than an excuse to slide into oblivion. He just ran off a string of top 10 finishes in 10 of 12 races. With that kind of consistency, he will find his way into victory lane--and the Chase--next season.

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Kasey Kahne: Five second-place finishes in 2004 put him just a nose behind the upper-echelon drivers. Eliminate a couple of DNFs and turn a couple of his top fives (he has 11 so far in his first Cup season) into victories, and he's a shoo-in for the Chase in 2005.

Joe Nomechek: Something relit the fire under this veteran. Whether it's being paired with crew chief Ryan Pemberton, drawing on massive support from the troops represented by his "Go Army" sponsor or even his mom's habit of wearing fatigues on race days, Nemechek blistered through October, with a win and two other top fives. If Nemechek can find consistency after 11 years of modest success, he can be a contender.

Kevin Harvick: Unquestionably, he has talent. Unquestionably, he has desire and competitive fire. But he hasn't exactly been a team player. Before finishing fourth at Phoenix, he had fewer top fives than any driver in the top 15. The longest shot of this group, he could be on Richard Childress' hot seat in 2005. That should provide enough incentive to ice that temper and develop the leadership that will guide his team to a top 10 ranking.

Outside but looking up

Sporting News, The, Nov 15, 2004 by Kathy Sheldon

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