Pressure Is On For Chase For The Championship Contenders

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Aug 20 2008 9:20am

As the Chase for the Championship fast approaches, the pressure amplifies for the bubble drivers. Heading into the Sharpie 500 at Bristol, only 103 points separate the eight place driver in the Sprint Cup standings with the 14th place driver. Here is a look at the current Chase for the Championship state of affairs.

6. Tony Stewart: 18-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

With 162 points to spare and three races remaining in the so-called regular season, Stewart should cruise into the 2008 Chase for the Championship. He and the 20 team are typically solid at the three forthcoming venues- Bristol, California, and Richmond. Expect Stewart to clinch a spot in the Chase for the Championship.

7. Greg Biffle: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Greg Biffle has a 145 points cushion over thirteenth place in the standings with only three races before the cutoff. One finish in the sub-thirties may put Biffle’s championship aspirations in jeopardy; however, he is in a rather cozy position when compared to the drivers behind him. Biffle’s performance has been stout all season long, and he seems to be getting stronger as we progress deeper into the season. Biffle will chase the championship for the second time in his career.

8. Kevin Harvick: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

This is where things begin to get interesting. Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, and David Ragan truly define the meaning of ‘bubble drivers’. Harvick has scored top ten finishes in four of the last five races, so clearly momentum is on his side. However, he only has a 103 points cushion, which can vanish in one lap. Bristol and Richmond are two of Harvick’s best tracks, and he typically performs respectably at California. Harvick is in a solid position, and will clinch a spot in the Chase for the Championship for a third consecutive season.

9. Jeff Gordon: 16-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Talk about lack of forward motion, Jeff Gordon is overdrawn at the momentum bank. Finishes of 29th and 42nd have dropped Gordon from sixth to ninth in the Sprint Cup standings in a matter of two weeks. Only 82 points separate himself and the thirteenth place driver, which is rather unsettling considering the way the 24 team has performed of late. Traditionally, Bristol is one of Gordon’s best tracks, but his last two trips to the 0.533-mile facility have been less than stellar. Gordon may stumble in one of the final three races, probably at California, but he should solidly qualify for the Chase for the Championship based on experience and consistency.

10. Matt Kenseth: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Of all drivers on the bubble, with the exception of Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth has the least of worries. This team is strong on all three remaining tracks, and the performance is clearly there. Kenseth consistently runs near the top five every week unless something unpredictable occurs. Roush Fenway Racing has a remarkable program right now, so unless Kenseth breaks a motor, or is caught up in an unanticipated accident, he should cruise into the Chase for the Championship. Heading into Bristol, Kenseth has a mounting 74 points cushion.

11. Kasey Kahne: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Unfortunately, for Dodge Motorsports, Kasey Kahne is there only prospect of a Sprint Cup championship in 2008. Every year, it seems as if only one Dodge team excels, and this year, Kahne is there best option. Despite two wins earlier in the summer, Kahne is hit or miss, and more miss of late. It seems that this team peaked too soon. I think they will falter down the stretch based on the fact that they have looked unspectacular all summer except for the two races at Pocono. Kahne only has a 47 point cushion back to thirteenth place, which means that even consistent top fifteen finishes may put an end to his Chase for the Championship aspirations. Look for Kahne to stumble in two of the final three races, and fall out of the picture.

12. Denny Hamlin: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

With only a 26 point advantage over thirteenth place, Denny Hamlin has to finish in the top ten, top five preferably, if he plans to maintain his position in the Chase for the Championship. He must avoid silly mistakes, such as pit road violations. Based on performance, Hamlin should pull away from the drivers chasing him, but unfortunate circumstances marred the 11 team throughout most of 2008. Hamlin could easily win two of the next three races, which would all but guarantee him a slot in the top twelve. Barring any misfortune, Hamlin will compete in the Chase for the Championship for a third straight season.

Cutoff

13. Clint Bowyer: 100-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Following his win at Richmond last May, many considered Clint Bowyer a solid championship favorite. However, things have fallen by the wayside for the 07 group. Bowyer has underachieved, especially at the intermediate tracks. The good news is that this team’s strength is the short tracks, and at Bristol and Richmond, Bowyer has an average finish of second this season. If he can pull off top five finishes at those two tracks, it may compensate for a mediocre finish at California, and could catapult him into the Chase for the Championship. He is 26 point behind the cutoff.

14. David Ragan: 66-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Like Bowyer, David Ragan is 26 points behind the cutoff. He is one of the pleasant surprises of 2008. Just being in contention to qualify for the Chase for the Championship is exceeding their preseason expectations. Ragan may stumble at Bristol, which would really hurt this team’s chances. However, he is solid at California and Richmond. Ragan may come up a little short this season, but there will be high hopes for 2009.

Projected 2008 Chase for the Championship contenders

1. Kyle Busch
2. Carl Edwards
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
5. Jeff Burton
6. Tony Stewart
7. Greg Biffle
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Matt Kenseth
11. Denny Hamlin
12. Clint Bowyer

Out- Kasey Kahne and David Ragan