#14-Tony Stewart, #48-Jimmie Johnson, and #24-Jeff Gordon have each clinched a spot in the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. That leaves nine spots left to be had – and more than nine drivers who want one of them. Mathematically, eight of those spots can be clinched at Atlanta. Realistically, only three likely will. Any driver who leaves Atlanta with a 196-point lead over 13th-place will clinch a Chase spot. Furthermore, any driver with a 162-point lead over 13th-place will need only to start Race #26 at Richmond to clinch.
Currently, #11-Denny Hamlin, in fourth place, has a 230-point lead on 13th – meaning he can lose 34 points and still clinch. Put simply, if Hamlin finishes third or better, fourth and leads at least a lap or fifth and leads the most laps at Atlanta, he will clinch a Chase spot.
#99-Carl Edwards, in fifth, is 199 points ahead of 13th and can lose three points to that position. Though there are numerous possibilities for Edwards to clinch, only an Atlanta win will guarantee it.
#2-Kurt Busch, in sixth, holds a 192-point lead over 13th. He needs to gain four points to clinch. Like Edwards, there are a number of ways for that to happen, but only a win on Sunday would guarantee a clinch.
Those drivers currently in position seventh through 11th can mathematically clinch – but the scenarios are almost too far-fetched for it to happen. #39-Ryan Newman needs to gain 84 points over 13th, #16-Greg Biffle needs 75 points, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya needs 132 points; #5-Mark Martin needs 136 points; and #9-Kasey Kahne needs 144 points.(NASCAR PR)(8-31-2009)
