Here are the standings from positions 8-16 as of the date of this post:
08 - Juan Pablo Montoya (3,145 pts.)
09 - Ryan Newman (3,138 pts.)
10 - Mark Martin (3,126 pts.)
11 - Greg Biffle (3,125 pts.)
12 - Matt Kenseth (3,077 pts.)
13 - Brian Vickers (3,057 pts.)
14 - Kyle Busch (3,040 pts.)
15 - David Reuitimann (2,945 pts.)
16 - Clint Bowyer (2,909 pts.)
After this weekend, who's in, and who's out of the Chase? This is almost like trying to make March Madness.
My Predictions:
8th - Montoya (in - just needs a solid top-15 finish)
9th - Newman (in - same boat as Montoya)
10th - Martin (in - he runs well at Richmond, just needs a solid top-10 run)
11th - Biffle (Out - 16 team has been too inconsistent)
12th - Kenseth (Why he could be in - Matt always finds a way to get in the Chase; Why he could be out - RFR has struggled since Kenseth won the first two races; I have him in the chase because if they can perform like they did at Atlanta, they deserve a shot to go for the cup)
13th - Vickers (Why he could be in - He's scored the most points the last 8 races, momentum is in his favor and everybody is always raving that NASCAR is a "momentum" sport; Why he could be out - He's never been much of a short track racer, I have him out because of this)
14th - Busch (Why he could be in - He runs pretty well at Richmond, and if he wins or gets a top-5 or top-10 finish, that's all he needs; Why he could be out - He has gotten into trouble many times by giving up when he's not running well, but if the team can stay behind him and keep him motivated, this won't be an issue, I have 'ol Shrub making the chase)
15th - Reutimann (Out - The top-5 yesterday at Atlanta was too little, too late, but I applaud him and MWR for the strides they have made)
16th - Bowyer (Out - He's mathematically out to begin with, plus, RCR needs to go back to the drawing board, all 4 teams have been terrible)