“The Road To Richmond” Motors Into Michigan

By:
On:
In: NASCAR Cup Series News

With Michigan International Speedway this weekend’s stop on “The Road to Richmond,” the attention continues to focus on the Wild Card element.  There’s only four races left, including the Wonderful Pistachios 400 on Saturday, September 10 at Richmond International Raceway, for the “bubble” drivers to make their mark and race their way to the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Looking through the top-20, there are a few drivers who are feeling the heat and need to do something to be sure they have a spot in the Chase.  Drivers teetering on the “bubble” who have fared well at Michigan in the past include:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Michigan could be a lucky charm for Earnhardt Jr.  It’s where he got his last win in 2008.  He currently holds on to the ninth position in the points standings and has the eighth-best driver rating at Michigan (94.5).

Tony Stewart There’s no doubt Stewart is feeling a bit of pressure, sitting in 10th, the final spot in the points race outside of the two Wild Card positions.  He and Earnhardt Jr. are the only two drivers in the top 10 who don’t have a win this year.  He’s got a chance of bringing home a good finish this weekend with one win, 10 top-fives and 17 top-10 finishes in 25 races at Michigan.

Denny Hamlin The defending race winner, Hamlin is returning and hoping to add to his win column, giving him a better chance of being in the Chase.  As it stands right now, he’d take the final Wild Card position, but he’d like to be a little more comfortable with a second win this season.  He knows how to get to Victory Lane in Michigan, will this weekend be his chance to do it again?

Greg Biffle Currently 13th in points, with no wins, Biffle ranks highest among the driver looking to battle their way into the top-10, or take a Wild Card spot following the Wonderful Pistachios 400 at Richmond.  With two wins, seven top-five finishes and two top-10 finishes, Biffle holds the second highest driver rating at Michigan with 106.1, just behind Carl Edwards.

Expect these drivers to continue to be in the thick of the 2011 Race to The Chase, as the road ends at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, September 10 for “One Last Race to Make The Chase”—the Wonderful Pistachios 400. Once the checkered flag flies, the field will be set for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Only those in the top 10 and two Wild Card positions will be eligible for the championship over the final 10 races of the season.

RIR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 49