Time is starting to run out for several drivers as the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup approaches. With two races to go, the race for the last spots in for the championship contention, things will be getting interesting and intense.
Heading into Atlanta several drivers will attempt to clinch their spot into the chase by trying to secure a top 10 spot, while others still hold out hope for a wild card spot. With the races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway the only ways left to clinch one of the 12 spots, would be to win and have consistency.
As the race for to the chase continues, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth are the only drivers in, Kenseth has at least a wild card spot guaranteed.
Trying to secure their spot in at Atlanta are Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Dale Eanrhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle and Joey Logano. Most of the drivers can clinch a spot into the chase if they finish with 49-point lead over 11th place. From third place until seventh it is possible for those drivers to secure their spot if they finish within the top 15.
Within the last few races from eighth through 10th have seen plenty of movement and its possible those spots won’t be official until Richmond.
Outside of the top 10 are the two wild card spots now held by Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Newman. The two wild card spots will be the most fought for spots within these two races considering they’re the last opportunity into the championship battle. Truex and Newman may have them now but they have competition from several drivers who are still looking for their first win but are still in the top 20.
Three past champions within Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon are still looking for their first win. All three drivers are within the top 20 with Keselowski sitting the highest within the three. Keselowski is the defending champion and is on the outside looking in, currently sitting in 11th.
When Tony Stewart’s season came to an end a bit early, when it came to one of the wild card spots, it looked as if his teammate Newman would become the beneficiary. Since then there have been many changes within the points and it all won’t be said and done until the checkered flag waives at Richmond.