Race for the Chase heating up with races at Atlanta, Richmond on horizon

By Jim Utter - The Charlotte Observer

CHARLOTTE -- Two night races on two of the most competitive tracks in NASCAR will decide who gets the opportunity to compete for the Sprint Cup Series championship this season.

Some names, including several in the title hunt last year, already have been eliminated from contention, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr.

Only three drivers — series points leader Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson — are locked in regardless of their performance the next two weeks at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway.

There are 11 others basically vying for nine spots. Of those nine, four have not won a race this season. Two — Mark Martin and Kyle Busch — have won multiple times, yet remain in danger of missing the cut.

Sunday night's Pep Boys 500 at Atlanta — a fast track with multiple grooves — should provide a good setup for next week's final shot to make the Chase at Richmond.

Here's how the top 14 championship candidates stack up:

Locked in

Tony Stewart — Ranks with Mark Martin's comeback as story of the year, as his first season as an owner/driver has been a smashing success.

Jeff Gordon — This team has a hard time closing the deal on wins this season, but the performance has been consistently strong.

Jimmie Johnson — Regardless of the Chase seeding, he will be a favorite for a fourth consecutive championship.

Looking good

Denny Hamlin — Until last month, the only thing this team was missing was a win. It appears to have turned the corner.

Carl Edwards — Still looking for his first Cup win this year. So far, he's the leading candidate for the “What happened to …?” story of the year.

Kurt Busch — Returns this weekend to the track where he earned a dominating win in the spring. Nice timing to help secure his spot.

Ryan Newman — No wins yet, but has solid chance to ensure both Stewart-Hass entries will make the Chase in both drivers' first season with the organization.

Greg Biffle — Finding the right consistency (three top-fives in the past five races) at just the right time, but has never won at Atlanta or Richmond.

Holding on

Juan Pablo Montoya — He's been doing everything NASCAR hates to hear — running for points to get into the field — but he has been close to victory, too.

Mark Martin — After his start to the year, it's a miracle he's here. Now that he's won four times, it would be a shame if he couldn't contend for the title.

Kasey Kahne — Season was sparked by win at Sonoma, Calif., but consistency has been hard to come by in recent weeks.

Matt Kenseth — Hard to believe he opened the season by winning the first two races. He's been backpedaling ever since.

Need help

Kyle Busch — If he makes the Chase, he will instantly become one of the top seeds with his four victories this season. But he needs two strong weeks and a miscue by Kahne or Kenseth to ensure a spot in the field.

Brian Vickers — His win at Michigan reignited his quest to make the Chase, but Busch's win two weeks ago at Bristol put him in the driver's seat for the moment.