Hamlin, Harvick face uphill battle

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Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of Jimmie Johnson's best tracks in the Chase. It's Kevin Harvick's worst, Denny Hamlin's second-worst, which is why 'Damage Control' week continues on for the closest challengers to the four-time defending champ.

Each Wednesday during the Chase, Yahoo! Sports breaks down the 12-driver field. Here is a look at how the field stacks up heading into Race No. 5 of the Chase, Saturday's Bank of America 500:

1. Jimmie Johnson

5673 pts.

If he hits his average finish from here on out, the only thing standing between Johnson and No. 5 is an accident or a mechanical failure. Can he avoid both?
Last week's result: 3nd

2. Denny Hamlin

5637 pts. (-36)

Hamlin hasn't been bad in the Chase but he hasn't been great either – and he'll need to be great to overcome Johnson. Does he have another gear?
Last week's result: 8th

3. Kevin Harvick

5619 pts. (-54)

Still lying in the weeds, waiting for the two in front of him to make a mistake. If they do, Harvick will pounce. The question is, will they err?
Last week's result: 7th

4. Jeff Gordon

5588 pts. (-85)

When will Gordon and Steve Letarte finally put together a complete race, one full of the right pit calls and free of penalties on pit road?
Last week's result: 9th

5. Tony Stewart

5566 pts. (-107)

Will running out of gas haunt Stewart for the rest of the season? If he loses the championship by anything fewer than 90 points, it will.
Last week's result: 1st

6. Kurt Busch

5533 pts. (-140)

No driver has ever won all three Charlotte races – the 600, All-Star race and Saturday's 500 – in the same season. Will Kurt Busch be the first?
Last week's result: 21st

7. Carl Edwards

5511 pts. (-162)

He refuses to throw in the towel, using his near comeback in 2008 as motivation. But can he find the speed he had 2008 now? Not likely.
Last week's result: 34th

8. Jeff Burton

5496 pts. (-177)

Was this the last, best shot Burton had at winning the championship that he hasn't been able to win in what's been a solid 17-year career?
Last week's result: 23rd

9. Kyle Busch

5486 pts. (-187)

Will he implode after two straight bad finishes? Or will he use it as motivation to go on a tear? One thing we know – he's capable of either.
Last week's result: 35th

10. Greg Biffle

5458 pts. (-215)

How many wins will Biffle have at the end of the season? Texas and Homestead-Miami are great tracks for him, meaning he has a good shot at winning four.
Last week's result: 41st

11. Matt Kenseth

5432 pts. (-241)

He appears to be at a crossroads. Is Kenseth the driver who won a title in 2003? Or is he a very good but not great driver?
Last week's result: 30th

12. Clint Bowyer

5426 pts. (-247)

With the title out of reach, will Bowyer be able to show everyone over the next six races that he's a legitimate race winner?
Last week's result: 2nd