The CHASE is on the charts this weekend. Coming into Darlington the bubble riders were looking at all options to cross over to the win and try to relax for even a week. Carl Edwards padded his position with the win.

Now all eyes are on Richmond. It is the last chance to win and clinch or run well enough to hold points to edge in.
With the green flag at Richmond just days away, the season winners with their spot in the CHASE secure are;
Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch.

Winless so far but riding the points are;
Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer.

Richmond may be the crossover race to the CHASE but the pressure is on for those drivers without a win to push and push hard. They are in a position that requires nothing less than up front driving. If those final laps creep up and they are not in the top 5 their bubbles could burst. The cards will be dealt when they unload the trailers, the “flop” hits at practice, qualifying will see the “turn” and Saturday night the checkered flag will be the “river”. It doesn’t really matter which cards are dealt as “all in” will be the bet. It is win, top 5 or likely finish the season out of the championship run.

For race fans this should all add up to an exciting evening of racing. The clinchers aren’t going to set back and relax as they will want to pad their CHASE position on the grid. The bubbles will be driving with an “all or nothing” mindset and every other driver will have an “I win I’m in” attitude. This all sets the scene to be on the edge of the seat from green to checkers.

The final chance at the Sprint Cup CHASE at Richmond is Saturday night with the Federated Auto Parts 400 (9-12).
Friday night (9-11) is the Xfinity Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250.
The K&N Series also races Thursday night (9-10) with the UNOH 100.

Richmond International Raceway is on tap for three nights of speed plus the action of the final fight to make the CHASE.

Let’s go racing!

Chase For the NASCAR Sprint Cup Clinch Scenarios for Richmond

10 Drivers Vie for Five Remaining Spots (Compiled by NASCAR)

 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 2, 2013) – Below are the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup clinch scenarios for Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway, the final race before the Chase field is set. Six drivers have clinched top-10 spots in the Chase: Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth. Kasey Kahne, on the strength of two wins, has clinched at least a Wild Card spot.

Four drivers control their top-10 clinching destiny. Regardless of the finishes of any other driver… (more…)

Rain… It is as necesary as air…

However, on race day for NASCAR Sprint Cup, it is as unwelcome as a Bud hat in a Miller campsite…

The entire season blew the storm of the Chase into Richmond with wildcards and points on the line. That storm was put off as another storm blew in and kept the race in the garage for almost two hours. NASCAR and RIR staff kept things tight as the rain moved out. After all, the plan was to run under the lights. The weather was watched and the decision was held. Jet dryers and utility vehicles did a number on the track to dry it out but even then they ran the first few laps under caution.

Finally they went green on a green track with any rubber from qualifying and the Nationwide race the day before  thrown to the inner wall. The crowd braved the rain to watch Jeff Gordon blow by pole sitter Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Dale, Jr. to regain the lead shortly after. (more…)

A practical drag race ended with Denny Hamlin rolling into Victory Lane at Atlanta. On his heels was Jeff Gordon looking for any points advantage to make the “Chase”. Hamlin is in it. Gordon is a spot down and grasping for it. With one race to go we’ll see if he can roll over team mate Kasey Kahne to grab it.

Denny Hamlin just came off the win at Bristol and is looking at Richmond which he has won before. He’s in the “Chase” so enough about him, for now.

The top 10 in Atlanta litter the “Chase” field as well. Hamlin took the win and is in. Gordon, second, is just off the pace. Brad Keselowski rolled under the flag in third and holds the sixth slot in points. Martin Truex, Jr… 4th in Atlanta and fifth in points. Kevin Harvick took fifth and holds the ninth points position. Kyle Busch finished sixth and moved up a slot dancing with the wild cards. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., seventh at Atlanta and moved to just 8 points from the first points slot he held briefly just a few races ago. Matt Kenseth was in the top 10 in Atlanta and holds the third points slot. (more…)