The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup Field Taking Shape
Six Drivers Currently Guaranteed Spots In 12-Driver Chase

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2011) — Two races remain before the complete 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is set, seedings and all.

Six drivers have clinched a Chase spot in some fashion. Kyle Busch, five-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards have locked up top-10 spots. Kevin Harvick (three wins) and Jeff Gordon (two wins) both have clinched, at the least, Wild Card spots; both will likely cement top-10 berths in Sunday night’s AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

After race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway, the top-10 drivers in points will fill out the first portion of the 12-driver Chase. Spots 11 and 12 go to drivers outside the top 10 with the most victories, provided they are in the top 20. The Wild Card tiebreaker is points position.

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Pos Driver Points 10th Wins Pos Starts Poles T5s T10s DNFs

1. Brad Keselowski 3 11 689 -21 24 1 6 9 1
2. Denny Hamlin 1 13 672 -38 24 0 4 8 2
3. Paul Menard 1 20 631 -79 24 0 4 7 2
4. Clint Bowyer 0 12 688 -22 24 0 3 9 4
5. A J Allmendinger 0 14 664 -46 24 0 1 5 1
6. Kasey Kahne 0 15 656 -54 24 1 3 8 2
7. Greg Biffle 0 16 649 -61 24 1 1 7 1
8. Martin Truex Jr. 0 17 645 -65 24 0 2 8 3
9. Joey Logano 0 18 642 -68 24 2 4 6 1
10. Mark Martin 0 19 633 -77 24 1 2 7 3
11. David Ragan 1 21 628 -82 24 2 3 6 3
12. Marcos Ambrose 1 22 627 -83 24 0 4 8 0
13. Regan Smith 1 25 552 -158 24 0 2 4 2