One Spot, Three Drivers: The Battle For The Final Chase Berth Though technically nine drivers are vying for seven spots, the drama lies among three positions, and three drivers: Clint Bowyer in 12th, David Ragan in 13th and Kasey Kahne in 14th.
Bowyer is 17 points ahead of Ragan, and 48 ahead of Kahne. That final spot is a precarious position – since the Chase’s inception in 2005, drivers have moved in from outside the cut-off bubble in three of the four Richmond races (Jeremy Mayfield in 2004; Ryan Newman in 2005 and Kasey Kahne in 2006).
Clinch Scenarios for Richmond Five drivers have already clinched a spot in the Chase: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton. Below are the scenarios that would guarantee other drivers a Chase spot, no matter how any other competitor finished:
Greg Biffle Needs to start the race
Kevin Harvick Needs to start the race
Tony Stewart Finish 36th Finish 37th and lead at least one lap Finish 40th and lead the most laps
Matt Kenseth Finish 26th Finish 28th and lead at least one lap Finish 30th and lead the most laps
Jeff Gordon Finish 24th Finish 25th and lead at least one lap Finish 28th and lead the most laps
Denny Hamlin Finish 21st o Finish 22nd and lead at least one lap Finish 25th and lead the most laps
Clint Bowyer Win 2nd or 3rd and lead the most laps
David Ragan Win and lead the most laps
Kasey Kahne, 48 points behind the Chase cut-off, can also earn a spot in the Chase depending on both his finish and the performance of other drivers. All drivers 15th and below are mathematically eliminated as long as both Ragan and Kahne start Saturday’s race.
Tags: bubble drivers, Chase Scenarios, NASCAR, Race to the Chase, richmond, Richmond International Raceway
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