NASCAR: Which Drivers Can Clinch A Chase Spot In Indy
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Indianapolis this weekend for the Brickyard 400 there are only seven races left before the start of the chase.
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For drivers with a win the countdown to the chase doesn’t mean too much right now. With the exception of Kyle Busch, any driver with a win currently looks like a lock to make the chase. When it comes to Busch and the way that he has been racing over the last month it’s hard to imagine that he would miss the chase. That being said, if NASCAR’s version of the playoffs began today; Busch would not be a part of the show since he is outside of the top-30 in points.
Below is a quick look at what we know heading into Indy. A few drivers have already clinched their spots in the chase and this weekend a few more have the opportunity to do so as well. Also, don’t forget that if there is a new winner on Sunday that driver will thrust themselves into the chase picture as well.
Drivers Locked Into The Chase:
- Kevin Harvick
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
Drivers Who Can Clinch Their Spot In Indy:
- Kurt Busch (needs to leave Indy with an advantage of at least 289 points over the driver in 31st place to clinch his spot in the chase)
- Joey Logano (needs to win at Indy and leave with a 289-point advantage over the 31st-place driver)
- Martin Truex Jr. (needs to win at Indy and leave with a 289-point advantage over the 31st-place driver)
- Matt Kenseth (needs to win at Indy and leave with a 289-point advantage over the 31st-place driver)
- Denny Hamlin (needs to win at Indy and leave with a 289-point advantage over the 31st-place driver)
- Brad Keselowski (needs to win at Indy and leave with a 289-point advantage over the 31st-place driver)
Looking At The Winless Drivers:
The drivers who are without a win in 2015 will obviously be looking to correct that this weekend. However, if they are not able to win they will need to have strong finishes in order to gain as many points as possible to keep their chase chances alive.
Of the drivers without wins, Jeff Gordon and Jamie McMurray are looking the best right now. Gordon and McMurray both have a cushion of more than 70 points against the first driver on the outside of the chase looking in. Of course that cushion will shrink a little once Busch climbs into the top-30 (as expected) and knocks one of the winless drivers off of the chase bubble.
After Gordon and McMurray there are drivers like Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, Aric Almirola and Clint Bowyer. These four drivers are all within 40 points of each other and are currently fighting for three spots in the chase. Once Busch makes it into the top-30 (or if a new driver in the top-30 wins) the four of them will then be battling four two spots. All four of these drivers need to have a strong run this weekend in an effort to create some distance from one another.
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