Chase for NASCAR Most Popular Driver also underway

   Just as NASCAR launches its playoff season this week, so does the campaign for the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Wheaties FUEL Most Popular Driver award.

   Voting for the full field of drivers ended Sept. 10 and only the 10 drivers with the most votes remain to battle it out for the title of 2011's Most Popular Driver. The 10 finalists are, in alphabetical order: Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.

   The "playoffs" now begin. Vote totals are reset to zero and fans have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day at www.wheatiesfuelmostpopulardriver.com to determine the winner from the final 10 drivers.

   Voting will conclude Nov. 20 at 11:59 PM CT and the winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in December.