You can't count them out yet

I'm reading so many articles lately that are saying that certain drivers are already not going to make the Chase based on the four races that have been run so far.  This is ridiculous.

Articles like this one have quotes like this...

For a number of top drivers, this year's championship may already be out of reach - if historical precedent means anything. If a team isn't in the top-20 by this point of the season, it may be all over but the shouting, judging by statistics over the last 30 years.

Since 1975 only 28 drivers have worked their way back into the top 10 by the 26-race mark after falling below 20th in the standings in the opening month of the season.

That stat has to be worrisome for NASCAR top-dogs who are currently not in the top-20, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (26th), Michael Waltrip (27th), Kasey Kahne (28th), Matt Kenseth (31st) and Bobby Labonte (37th).

Yes, I agree, these drivers are struggling right now, but to completely count them out of having the possibility of making the Chase is ridiculous.  Any one of these drivers, or even all of them, can completely turn their season around at Bristol, so to say they're out is a bit premature.

Take Bobby Labonte for example, he usually runs good at Atlanta, but because he got caught up in that lap one wreck, his race was essentially over.  He could have moved up a lot of positions if he had finished that race.  Just like any of the others could have.

Look at Jimmie Johnson last year.  He had those few bad races that put him down to tenth in the standings during the Chase, he turned around and it came down to the last race to see if Jimmie or Busch would win the championship, so you can't count anyone out this early.

It seems the media has run out of current news to write on and wants to cause a stir with their dire predictions.  It's too early in the season to say if any of these drivers will make the Chase, we just have to sit back and watch to see who makes it or not.  It's just too early to sit and make blanket statements about who will and won't make it.