Tony Stewart began competing regularly at NASCAR's top level in 1999, and he has never failed to win at least one race.

That streak is in jeopardy, as is Stewart's capacity to claim a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, the 10-race series within a series that determines the championship. Stewart has 39 career victories and won championships in 2002 and 2005.

Stewart finished 28th, three laps off the pace, in the Irwin Tools Night Race, at a track where he has fared poorly in five of his last six appearances. Stewart is a Bristol Motor Speedway winner, but his only victory was a decade ago.

"Just a rough night," Stewart said simply. "Struggled through."

Regarding the Chase, he added, "It's no different than it was last week. The feeling is the same way. You still want to make it. We're working hard at it."

With finishes of 27th, ninth and 28th in the last three races, Stewart is hanging on to 10th place in the point standings for dear life. The good news is that he still holds a 21-point edge over 11th place Brad Keselowski. The bad news is that Keselowski gained 31 on him by winning at Bristol.

Two regular-season races remain.

Stewart said he isn't obsessed with making the Chase, per se. He is concerned with a performance slump. If he can get his No. 14 Chevy running better, the Chase will take care of itself.

"I'm more worried about just getting our program back on track," he said. "I want to make the Chase more than anything. I want it for our sponsors. I want it for our organization. But most of all, I just want us to get back on track.

If that means we miss the Chase in the process, we do. But we're going to try to do everything we can to make it. But the most important thing is getting our program back on track."