Chase Watch: All quiet on the standings front
With only a handful of races left until the Chase, it's time to start considering who'll make it to the dance, and who will be left home alone by the phone. Let's take a look at the contenders, shall we?
In for the moment: Kevin Harvick continues to lead the pack, followed by Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer.
Outside looking in: Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray and David Reutimann are all within 200 points of the 12th spot. But oh, that can be a long, long way this time of year.
Movin' on up: Very little movement this week. Burton and Kurt Busch switched the 5 and 7 spots, and Stewart and Kenseth did the same thing at 8 and 9.
Bottoming out: Kurt Busch's wreck knocked him down a couple pegs, but he's still fairly safe. And Jamie McMurray's Chase chances may have taken a mortal hit at Pocono; there's just not enough time and too many people to leapfrog.
Prospects: The Chase will almost certainly look like it does right now. Maybe Martin can sneak up and snag the 12th spot, but probably not. So now, it's all about stacking up wins and setting yourself up for the main event.
All right, your turn. Which drivers do you predict will make the cut, and which will be watching the Chase from the outside with a tear in their eye?
