The Chase is Coming

The Chase for the Sprint Cup is almost here! There is now only 1 race left before the cutoff for the 2009 Chase in NASCAR. And it is already setting up to be an exciting 10 race shootout.

Last night was the Atlanta race, and it was the first Atlanta race under the lights. No one really knew what to expect. Never before had an entire Atlanta race been run at night. So no team had an advantage as to knowing how the car needed to be set up. And that inexperience showed in several race teams. But it was not this one factor that made last night's race so crucial.

The fact was that only 3 out of 12 drivers had secured a spot in the Chase, leaving 14 drivers racing hard for those last 9 spots. As the race progressed, the points continued to change. At one moment Kyle Busch, who was only 34 points out of being in the Chase had secured a spot on up in the standings. But due to some late race mishaps, he found himself 37 points out once more. His brother Kurt had once been 4th in the points standings, just points from locking himself into the Chase as well. But after 2 bad races, he now finds himself in 7th (still in the chase, but barely holding on).

Story lines such as these filled the race, and with many double-file restarts and constant lead changes, the first Atlanta night race set the stage for another exciting Richmond race. This Saturday night, the Chase will be set. The question is who will fill those last few spots. Hamlin secured his spot at Atlanta, leaving only 8 remaining. The problem is, there are 10+ drivers fighting for those positions.

Matt