Tony Stewart returned from a back injury in April, and the three-time Sprint Cup Series champion is in pursuit of one of the 16 spots in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in his final season. Here's a look at where the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet stands in his hunt after Saturday's 26th-place-finish in the Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway, the season's 17th of 26 regular-season races.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
The Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner/wheelman had an above-average night at Daytona run afoul after wrecking out with 12 laps remaining.
The Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner/wheelman had an above-average night at Daytona run afoul after wrecking out with 12 laps remaining.
Running in the top five as the race wound down, Stewart got loose before getting into the wall and taking major damage. A promising points run ended in a disappointing way for the three-time Sprint Cup Series champion, but he will leave Daytona higher in the standings than when he arrived.
"I just got loose ... definitely my fault," Stewart told NBC. "I don't know why I got loose."
He now sits three points inside of the top 30 -- which is where he needs to be in order to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and compete for his fourth championship. As it stands now, he's in.
RELATED: Stewart wrecks out of final Daytona race
WHAT HE NEEDS
Stewart received a waiver from NASCAR for Chase eligibility. The surest way into the Chase is by winning before the end of regular season (at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 10) -- which Stewart did at Sonoma -- and remain in the top 30 in the points standings. En route to his 2015 championship, Kyle Busch faced a similar path after missing the first 11 races with a leg injury. With the win now in the bank, Stewart can focus on reaching the top 30. He sits 30th in the standings with 212 points, three points ahead of Brian Scott's 209 points.
Stewart received a waiver from NASCAR for Chase eligibility. The surest way into the Chase is by winning before the end of regular season (at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 10) -- which Stewart did at Sonoma -- and remain in the top 30 in the points standings. En route to his 2015 championship, Kyle Busch faced a similar path after missing the first 11 races with a leg injury. With the win now in the bank, Stewart can focus on reaching the top 30. He sits 30th in the standings with 212 points, three points ahead of Brian Scott's 209 points.
WHAT'S NEXT
"Smoke" heads to Kentucky Speedway (July 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), where he's never won. In his five starts there, Stewart has led just one lap and has never finished in the top 10.
"Smoke" heads to Kentucky Speedway (July 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), where he's never won. In his five starts there, Stewart has led just one lap and has never finished in the top 10.
RELATED: See all of Stewart's wins | "Smoke" granted Chase waiver
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