Bowyer's best shot now is an appeal

An elimination format hits the Chase after all, albeit it in the form of a penalty. Minus the 150 points, Clint Bowyer's win at New Hampshire turns into the equivalent of a 39th- place finish. Unfortunately for Bowyer, there's no coming back from that.

Each Wednesday during the Chase, Yahoo! Sports breaks down the 12-driver field. This week the Chase rolls into Dover International Speedway, where Kyle Busch won earlier this season, for Race No. 2 of the Chase.

Here is a look at how the field stacks up heading into Sunday's AAA 400:

1. Denny Hamlin

5230 pts.

This is the most crucial race of the Chase for Hamlin, as Dover's one of his worst tracks. If he can escape with even a top-15 finish, he'll be in the driver's seat.
Last week's result: 2nd

2. Kevin Harvick

5185 pts. (-45)

It won't matter if he finishes behind Hamlin as long as he keeps posting top 10s, which is what he's better at right now than anyone.
Last week's result: 5th

3. Kyle Busch

5168 pts. (-62)

He may be off the radar right now, but that could change in a hurry with a win at Dover, where he goes in as a favorite.
Last week's result: 9th

4. Jeff Gordon

5155 pts. (-75)

Once one of his best tracks, Dover hasn't been too friendly to Gordon as of late. He has led laps there in just four of the past 13 races.
Last week's result: 6th

5. Kurt Busch

5144 pts. (-86)

It's a survival weekend for Busch the elder. He's either really good at Dover or really bad. Which way will he go?
Last week's result: 13th

6. Jimmie Johnson

5133 pts. (-92)

Expect Double J and Chad Knaus to flex their muscles this weekend. Remember: He led the most laps at Dover back in May.
Last week's result: 25th

7. Carl Edwards

5135 pts. (-95)

Has finished third or better in five of 12 starts at Dover. He won't dominate but he should be near the front at the end.
Last week's result: 11th

8. Greg Biffle

5122 pts. (-108)

He's surprisingly good at The Monster Mile. This is one of the races in the Chase where Biffle needs to make up ground on the competition.
Last week's result: 17th

9. Jeff Burton

5188 pts. (-112)

Has to be thinking "what if" as he heads to Dover. If this was his best shot at a title, it probably went out the window when he ran out of gas at New Hampshire.
Last week's result: 15th

10. Tony Stewart

5106 pts. (-124)

There will be no New Hampshire hangover for Smoke. Instead, expect a driver who grinds for 400 laps. He'll be fun to watch.
Last week's result: 24th

11. Matt Kenseth

5094 pts. (-136)

Like Biffle, Dover is a good track for Kenseth, who absolutely needs a top 10 if he has any shot at getting back in contention.
Last week's result: 23rd

12. Clint Bowyer

5045 pts. (-185)

His best hope now is through the appeal process, though that's a long shot. NASCAR rarely overturns penalties. Still, RCR will try. It's Bowyer's only shot.
Last week's result: 1st