Chase field could expand in 2006

There were rumors in the Nextel Cup garage at Richmond International Raceway that the field for the Chase for the Nextel Cup could grow from 10 to 12 next season. The argument is based on the fact that there have been at least 12 drivers in contention for a Chase berth up until the final laps of the final race of the "regular season." And it would be two more chances to get top drawing cards like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon into the run for the title if they struggled at some point during the season as they both have this year. NASCAR president Mike Helton said sanctioning body officials will review the Chase at the end of the season to see if adjustments to the format are warranted. "When it was all said and done last year and the dust had settled, we took a look at things and were pretty pleased," he said. "We'll do the same thing at the end of this year. But I can't see anything major coming along." Atlanta Journal-Constitution