RACE TO THE CHASE

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – IRWIN TOOLS NIGHT RACE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 7:30 P.M. ET ON ABC

Johnson’s Rivals Can Clinch Chase Berths This Week

Jimmie Johnson remains the only driver to have claimed a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™. Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick can clinch their spots in the postseason on Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Wild Card Race Gets Wilder Yet With Logano’s Victory

Five drivers ranked 11th through 20th have Wild Card-qualifying victories following Joey Logano’s win in Michigan. Bristol spring winner Kasey Kahne and Martin Truex Jr. hold the provisional Wild Cards with three races remaining in the Race to the Chase.

Hendrick Motorsports, Michael Waltrip Racing Hold Owner Wild Cards

Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 Chevrolet and the No. 56 Toyota of Michael Waltrip Racing hold the provisional owner Chase Wild Cards. The No. 56 prevails on a tie-breaker – best finish – with Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 14 having scored the same number of points (653).

Bristol Sweep Would Give Kahne Post-Season Insurance

With two victories, a Bristol "sweep" would virtually guarantee Kasey Kahne a berth in the Chase. The last driver to win both stops at Bristol Motor Speedway was Kyle Busch in 2009.

Kurt Busch, Gordon Take Chase ‘Bubble’ Roles To Bristol

Kurt Busch’s third-place finish in Michigan moved the 2004 champion into the top 10 (ninth). Without a win he remains on the "bubble" – as does fellow five-time Bristol winner Jeff Gordon, 26 points out of the top 10 in 14th place.

Busch Brothers Pile Up Wins In ‘Thunder Valley’

Kurt and Kyle Busch each has won five times at Bristol Motor Speedway. A Busch has won at least one race in eight different seasons beginning in 2002. Each has a season sweep: Kurt in 2003, Kyle in 2009.

 

Keselowski’s Chase May Turn On Continued Bristol Success

Reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski won the IRWIN Tools Night Race in 2011 and Bristol’s spring event a year ago. Keselowski, without a victory in 2013, finished third at the 0.533-mile track in March. He’s eighth in the standings, eight points ahead of 11th.