Chase clinch scenarios for Richmond
Richmond will once again serve as the site of NASCAR's regular season final, this weekend.
Paul Menard, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet and Jamie McMurray, Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Action Sports Photography
After 25 races, just one remains before the 16-driver Chase field is set. 11 drivers have already been able to lock themselves into the postseason. Five remain up for grabs and there are 21 drivers who still have a mathematical shot at it.
Locked in
Kyle Busch/Joe Gibbs Racing - 4 wins
Jimmie Johnson/Hendrick Motorsports - 4 wins
Joey Logano/Team Penske - 3 wins
Matt Kenseth/Joe Gibbs Racing - 3 wins
Kevin Harvick/Stewart-Haas Racing - 2 wins
Carl Edwards/Joe Gibbs Racing - 2 wins
Kurt Busch/Stewart-Haas Racing - 2 wins
Dale Earnhardt Jr./Hendrick Motorsports - 2 wins
Denny Hamlin/Joe Gibbs Racing - 1 win
Martin Truex Jr./Furniture Row Racing - 1 win
Brad Keselowski/Team Penske - 1 win
All remaining drivers have yet to officially punch their ticket into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. For those on the inside looking not to fall out, four of them are in complete control of their own destiny. They can clinch, regardless of who wins.
Clinch scenarios
Jamie McMurray - Starts the race
Ryan Newman - Finishes 31st or higher, 32nd with a lap led, 33rd with leading the most laps
Jeff Gordon - Finishes 17th or higher, 18th with a lap led, 19th with leading the most laps
Paul Menard - Finishes ninth or higher, 10th with a lap led, 11th with leading the most laps
Clint Bowyer is the bubble driver and is in the most precarious position. The Michael Waltrip Racing pilot has a 29-point buffer over Aric Almirola and 31 over Kasey Kahne; the only two drivers on the outside who could push their way into the Chase on points alone.
Slot 16 is a dangerous position
The 'win and you're in' dynamic is going to create a lot of excitement at Richmond and will also keep those on the edge of Chase contention very uncomfortable, especially whoever is on the bubble.
If any driver from Almirola in 17th to Gilliland down in 32nd in points wins the race, one of those five drivers holding provisional Chase spots will be booted. Bowyer is just ten points behind Menard, 18 behind Gordon, and 32 behind Newman. McMurray is 44 points to the good.
There are 48 points up for grabs in any given NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
Must win Richmond
There are 14 drivers who go to Richmond with only one option - They have to win the race. Their desperation to attain said win could lead to a risky call or a Hail Mary move you wouldn't see in any standard race.
Some of these drivers are riding incredibly long winless streaks and others have never won, period. Tony Stewart isn't just a former winner at Richmond, but a three-time Cup champion.
Greg Biffle
Kyle Larson
Austin Dillon
AJ Almendinger
Casey Mears
Danica Patrick
Tony Stewart
David Ragan
Sam Hornish Jr.
Trevor Bayne
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Justin Allgaier
Cole Whitt*
David Gilliland*
*Dependent on if they can crack Top 30 in points
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