Others Can Clinch At Bristol

This weekend’s magic number: 97.

Leaving Bristol, any driver with a 97-point lead over 11th place will clinch a Chase spot.

The top eight drivers are all mathematically able to reach the 97-point mark (including Kyle Busch, who already locked up at least a Wild Card spot, but could clinch a top-10 spot this weekend).

The top eight: Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch.

Edwards is of special interest in the above list. He can clinch despite a 36th-place finish at Michigan. Coming into the race, Edwards was in a points-tie with Busch for the points lead. His finish combined with Busch’s win now has Edwards 39 points off the lead.