The Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup starts later this month, but the real chase for most of the competitors in NASCAR's premier series is catching up to Hendrick Motorsports, primarily Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
Johnson has had his share of recent problems--engine failures in three consecutive races qualify as a rough patch--but the 232-point lead he had built up heading into the August 8 race at Indianapolis offered enough of a cushion that the team had room for error and ...