The formula for making the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is simple – “Win and you’re in.” Drivers only have three races left to make the formula work: Bristol, Darlington and Richmond. As of now, 11 drivers are qualified for the Chase with wins as long as they start the next three races and remain in the top 30 in points: #48-Jimmie Johnson, #18-Kyle Busch, #20-Matt Kenseth, #4-Kevin Harvick, #22-Joey Logano, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #41-Kurt Busch, #78-Martin Truex Jr., #2-Brad Keselowski, #11-Denny Hamlin and #19-Carl Edwards. The five remaining drivers on the Chase Grid have to either visit Victory Lane or stay high enough in the points standings where they don’t get bumped by a new winner outside the top 16. These drivers are #1-Jamie McMurray (70 points above the cutoff line), #27-Paul Menard (+61), #31-Ryan Newman (+56), #24-Jeff Gordon (+55) and #15-Clint Bowyer (+23). The winless drivers who have won at Bristol in the past and have yet to earn Chase berths this season are Gordon, #5-Kasey Kahne and #14-Tony Stewart. A currently winless driver who wins at Bristol would clinch a spot if he/she is 97 points ahead of 31st place. No driver who remains winless after Bristol will clinch a spot.(NASCAR)(8-21-2015)
