Chase for the Cup Update

With only 3 races remaining until the Chase for the Cup starts I will tell you who is and who isn't going to make the Chase.

The 3 races that remain are Bristol, California, and Richmond. Then the playoffs begin for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Bristol and Richmond are both short tracks. While California is much like this past weekend's Michigan International Speedway a 2 Mile Oval. Heading into the Chase it appears that it's a two man race between the Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards for the 2008 Sprint Cup Championship.

Busch has won 8 races and picked up 14 top 5's during the season. He has had a remarkable run and is going to be tough to beat for the championship. But if anyone can do it, Carl Edwards has to be your man. He has 5 victories on the season and he held off Kyle Busch this past weekend at Michigan to win the 3M Performance 400. I was at the race on Sunday since I only live about 10 miles from the track (lucky me right). Carl had a great race car and deserved to come out on top after 400 miles. Edwards even won the Nationwide series race on Saturday so I got to see two back-flips this weekend from "Concrete Carl." The winner down the stretch remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure they will both be in the chase and have had great seasons thus far.

As for the competitors they must step their game up to compete with Edwards and Busch. These are the current standings listed below after 23 of 36 races.

1. Kyle Busch
2. Carl Edwards -222
3. Jimmie Johnson -302
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -345
5. Jeff Burton -349
6. Tony Stewart -558
7. Greg Biffle -575
8. Kevin Harvick -617
9. Jeff Gordon -638
10. Matt Kenseth -646
11. Kasey Kahne -673
12. Denny Hamlin -694

Drivers outside of the Chase right now with a real chance to get in our Clint Bowyer and David Ragan who are both 26 points back of Denny Hamlin for the last spot in the Chase for the Cup.

One interesting statistic is drivers 6-10 in the points standings have not won a race all season. For any of these guys to contend once the chase starts they must pick up a victory. It would be hard to imagine a season going by without a victory from Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, or Jeff Gordon. I'm sure that will not be the case but something I thought I should point out.

As I get back to who is and who isn't going to make the Chase for the Cup। I like everybody in the Top 10 in points currently to make the Chase। I feel Kahne and Hamlin are two drivers who both could fall out of the Chase if they are not careful. I also feel Clint Bowyer has a real good shot at making the Chase. I heard Rusty Wallace say on NASCAR NOW today on ESPN that he feels Bowyer will make the Chase and Hamlin will fall out of it. It's tough to disagree with Rusty Wallace but one thing is for sure Denny Hamlin can race at Richmond which is the final race before the Chase starts. With that said and the fact Kasey Kahne ran so poorly at Michigan this past weekend. Look for that to continue at California for Kahne with Michigan being a similar track. Ultimately I think it will be close between all three drivers. My final take is Hamlin in, Bowyer in, and Kahne out. One thing is for certain it will be fun to watch as the Chase for the Cup nears closer.