It's Win to get In at Richmond
Everyone could have expected the names, Harvick, Keselowski, Edwards, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Hamlin, Logano, and Kenseth to win their way into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase. Add the victories by retiring star Tony Stewart and the rising star of Kyle Larson along with the unexpected Pocono winner Chris Buescher, and 13 drivers have penciled their names in the Chase. Assuming Buescher holds on to his 11 point lead for that 30th spot, that leaves three spots open for the rest of the field heading into Richmond.
Chase Elliot and Austin Dillon probably feeling pretty good about their point lead over the outside looking in car of Ryan Newman. Jamie McMurray has benefited greatly from the 15 point penalty suffered by Newman after he failed the post-race inspection at Darlington. Although it’s still mathematically possible Newman could still gather enough points to get into the Chase, for all practical purposes, he’s going to need to win to get in. So, out of the rest of the field, who could ruin Jamie McMurray’s night by visiting victory lane Saturday in Richmond?
Ryan Newman - Newman is the first car outside the Chase bubble. He’s run strong most of the season but hasn’t run strong enough to really threaten to win a race. Look for the #31 Richard Childress racing team to throw everything at it Saturday, including the kitchen sink. If there is a risk to be taken, they will be taking it.
Kasey Kahne - For my money Kasey has been the poster child for the failures of the Hendrick team cars. Although the #5 team has shown a little better in recent races there is little to indicate that this team is ready to win a race. Look for the deep pocketed Hendrick team to throw barrels of money and resources at that car this week.
Jeff Gordon – It won’t get Gordon in the Chase but Jamie McMurray would be a huge Gordon fan Saturday night. Gordon runs this track as good as anyone. He’s had a career average finish of 13th place and has a ton of top 5 finishes. Plus he’s under no pressure. That’s spelled trouble for his opponents during his career.
Ryan Blaney – One of the new young up and coming stars of our sport is very capable of sneaking to the front and taking the checkered flag on Saturday. Ryan will have the experts of Penske Racing along with his Wood Brothers Racing team at his beck and call this weekend. I’m not going to be surprised to see him running up front.
Greg Biffle – In my opinion, Greg Biffle will most likely be the best driver not in the Chase unless he can pull off a surprise Saturday night. After a disappointing season for Roush Fenway, the team could change all that with a win. Biffle will be up on that steering wheel all night trying to change his team’s fortunes.
Clint Bowyer – Like Biffle, this tremendously talented driver just hasn’t had the equipment to run near the front this season and I doubt that will change Saturday. I bet it changes in 2017 though when he drives the #14 car for Stewart Haas Racing. Until then, more of the same.
Rickey Stenhouse Jr. – Another Roush Fenway driver who just doesn’t have the wheels under him to compete for a race win. It’s not from lack of talent from this young man.
One thing for certain, all of the drivers currently out of the Chase will be taking huge risk trying to race their way in. It should make for a memorable evening. I can’t wait!
Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante.
