With Denny Hamlin (Chicagoland) and Matt Kenseth (New Hampshire) already having clinched berths in the second round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup with wins, eight more drivers control their destiny entering Sunday’s elimination race at Dover International Speedway.
The playoff field will be pared from 16 to 12 drivers after Dover, which marks the conclusion of the three-race first round. One more spot in the second round will be reserved for Sunday’s winner (if it’s a Chase driver besides Hamlin and Kenseth), and the rest of the field will advance according to the points standings.
Here are the clinching scenarios to advance for the winless Chase drivers entering Dover:
--Carl Edwards needs 12 points (a finish of 32nd or better, 33rd with at least one lap led, 34th with most laps led).
--Joey Logano needs 13 points (31st or better, 32nd with at least one lap led, 33rd with most laps led).
--Jimmie Johnson needs 19 points (25th or better, 26th with at least one lap led, 27th with most laps led).
--Ryan Newman needs 28 points (16th or better, 17th with at least one lap led, 18th with most laps led).
--Kurt Busch needs 29 points (15th or better, 16th with at least one lap led, 17th with most laps led).
--Brad Keselowski needs 30 points (14th or better, 15th with at least one lap led, 16th with most laps led).
--Martin Truex Jr. needs 31 points (13th or better, 14th with at least one lap led, 15th with most laps led).
--Jeff Gordon needs 34 points (10th or better, 11th with at least one lap led, 12th with most laps led).
The rest of the Chase field -- Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Paul Menard, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer -- only control their own destinies with a victory. They still could advance via points but would need some help from others in the field.