There is a lot going on this week at Bristol. With time running out to make the chase, you can count on tempers and aggressive driving to be at an increased level.

First, lets look at the race itself. The #22 Ford of Joey Logano winning the last 2 night races at Bristol, he can't be overlooked, but a three-peat at this race is a rare feat. It's only been done twice in the history of the track, once by Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. I'm not sure we can put Logano in that class yet....

As always, I will not be surprised by a Joe Gibbs Toyota bring home a victory, but I think this will be a war of attrition this week with so much on the line for so many teams. I am leaning towards a driver who has run well all year and finds a way to avoid the wrecks. My pick is the #4 Chevy of Kevin Harvick.....after all, he's freaky fast.

As far as the chase possibilities this week, we have drivers who can clinch a spot as well as drivers who need to score well to either stay in or move up. Chris Buescher is the wild card here as he has a win and only needs to move up 3 points to get into the top 30 in points. If he can do that, it will be one less spot for the rest of the field to fight over.

Here are the clinch scenarios according to NASCAR.com

Possible to clinch:

Tony Stewart: (1 Win, 389 Points, +97 Points Ahead of 31st) -- Could clinch a Top 30 position with help

Possible to clinch at Bristol with a win:

Ryan Newman (0 Wins, 562 Points, +270 Points Ahead of 31st)

Chase Elliott (0 Wins, 561 Points, +269 Points Ahead of 31st)

Austin Dillon (0 Wins, 559 Points, +267 Points Ahead of 31st)

Jamie McMurray (0 Wins, 550 Points, +258 Points Ahead of 31st)

Kyle Larson (0 Wins, 520 Points, +228 Points Ahead of 31st)

Trevor Bayne (0 Wins, 512 Points, +220 Points Ahead of 31st)

Kasey Kahne (0 Wins, 509 Points, +217 Points Ahead of 31st

Ryan Blaney (0 Wins, 502 Points, +210 Points Ahead of 31st)

AJ Allmendinger (0 Wins, 486 Points, +194 Points Ahead of 31st)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (0 Wins, 475 Points, +183 Points Ahead of 31st)

Dale Earnhardt Jr.* (0 Wins, 461 Points, +169 Points Ahead of 31st)

Paul Menard (0 Wins, 422 Points, +130 Points Ahead of 31st)

Possible to clinch at Bristol with a win plus help:

Greg Biffle (0 Wins, 416 Points, +124 Points Ahead of 31st)

Danica Patrick (0 Wins, 413 Points, +121 Points Ahead of 31st)

Clint Bowyer (0 Wins, 397 Points, +105 Points Ahead of 31st)

Aric Almirola (0 Wins, 379 Points, +87 Points Ahead of 31st)

 

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