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FORT WORTH, Texas — There is hope. That might be all there is, but now NASCAR Sprint Cup title contenders have more than wishful thinking on their side as they chase Jimmie Johnson.

Let's be clear, though. Johnson's 73-point lead on Mark Martin and 112-point advantage on Jeff Gordon will be difficult to overcome. It will take similar to what occurred Sunday at Texas for either of Johnson's teammates to catch him.

Johnson's day was ruined on the third lap when Sam Hornish Jr. slid up the track into Johnson and caused the series points leader to crash. Johnson's team needed more than an hour to make repairs to his car. With few cars failing to finish, he placed 38th.

Johnson lost 111 points to Martin. So, with two races to go, the same thing could happen. Of course, there are scenarios where Johnson could clinch the title this weekend or only need to start at Homestead in the season finale to claim another crown.

As to how much his Texas tumble hurt, even Johnson isn't sure.

"I'm still optimistic," he said. "Hopefully, we don't need the points that we lost to win the championship. I don't think the sting from this race will really show until the checkered falls at Homestead and we see where we're at and how the points shake out."

Johnson's fall gives Martin and his team hope. While it's doubtful they can work any harder than they have, knowing that Johnson could be caught — after several drivers all but conceded the title to Johnson before the race — could provide a lift for Martin and his team. It also doesn't hurt that Martin won at Phoenix in the spring.

"It feels better," Martin said of his deficit decreasing and hopes increasing. "It didn't feel as good when I knew we didn't have a chance.

"It's still a long shot because they have great performance. We can't go out-perform them 70-some points, but racing is not over yet."

LISTEN TO ME: Denny Hamlin contends his voice is not being heard by NASCAR officials.

The driver was among those not pleased that NASCAR enforced stricter guidelines on aggressive driving at Talladega. When told that NASCAR's recent follow-up meetings to its town hall sessions included a couple of veteran drivers among the smaller groups, Hamlin said he'd like to be included in future sessions.

He also wondered if his voice would matter.

"I don't know why they don't ask all drivers, to be honest with you," he said. "Why they didn't ask my opinion, I don't know. Over the last few years I've earned my place in this sport, and I deserve my voice to be heard just as much as anyone. For them to just pick the guys that have been in the sport over 10 years, maybe pick the guys that are going to be here the next 15."

Asked if he had approached NASCAR officials recently about his feelings on certain issues, Hamlin said: "I will. Ultimately, you would like to be asked by them. I know there is an open-door policy and I can go to them any time I want. Sometimes they just don't listen to the guys that have come in in the last five years or so. They look to the veterans to take the sport over the next 10 to 15 years. Some of those guys won't even be here to see that."

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition, said of Hamlin's contention: "I think he's underestimating our value to our competitors out there. Anybody that comes in, we listen to."

CHASING: Six of the top 12 Chase spots changed after Sunday's race.

Denny Hamlin gained the most spots, climbing three positions to eighth after his runner-up finish. Juan Pablo Montoya dropped the most, falling two spots to sixth after he finished 37th.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com