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 Mark Martin worries about what he faces. Forget racing for a championship, it's the fight to get into the Chase that has Martin — and other drivers — uptight heading into the final five races before the Chase field is set.

"The race to make the Chase is definitely more stressful when you're in that position than the race for the championship," said Martin, who enters today's race at Watkins Glen 10th in the points. "You're fighting and scratching to even have a chance."

Greg Biffle enters today's race 12th in points, holding what will be the last transfer spot to the Chase. He leads 13th-place Kyle Busch by 101 points.

Busch still has a chance. Mark Martin was 123 points out at this point and made the inaugural Chase in 2004.

Matt Kenseth was 168 points back with five races to go in 2005 and qualified for the Chase. Busch is one of four drivers within that threshold of 12th this season.

What will happen before the field is set after next month's race at Richmond?

KASEY KAHNE

Points position: Seventh

Points ahead of 13th: 180

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Five top-10s in his last six races. Gained eight spots in points during that time.

Prospects: Bristol is his best track among the five remaining before the Chase. Has struggled at Michigan. Gets through there, he should be fine.

Makes Chase or not: Makes it. Surge by Kahne's team makes him somebody to watch once Chase begins.

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA

Points position: Eighth

Points ahead of 13th: 169

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Has placed in the top 12 in nine of the last 10 races, gaining six spots in the points standings.

Prospects: Best track, based on recent performances, is Bristol. Can't afford to be close to 12th going into Richmond where his results haven't been as good.

Makes Chase or not: Only way he won't make it is if the wheels literally fall off the car in the next few races.

RYAN NEWMAN

Points position: Ninth

Points ahead of 13th: 165

Streaking or sliding: Sliding. One top-10 result in the last seven races, causing him to fall five spots in the standings.

Prospects: If it's close, he's good at Richmond (12.0 average finish last five races) and that could determine his Chase hopes.

Makes Chase or not: Can't afford to let recent slide continue, but should make the Chase.

MARK MARTIN

Points position: 10th

Points ahead of 13th: 160

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Three top-10s in the last three races and has led more than one-third of all laps run during that stretch.

Prospects: Watkins Glen (10.0 average finish in last five races) and Richmond (10.2) are best tracks among those before Chase. Atlanta (25.6) could cause problems.

Makes Chase or not: If he can avoid the problems that plagued him earlier this season, he makes the Chase.

MATT KENSETH

Points position: 11th

Points ahead of 13th: 102

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Three top-10s in the last four races, but still fell a spot in the points standings.

Prospects: Fantastic at Atlanta (6.2 average finish in last five races) and solid at Watkins Glen and Michigan.

Makes Chase or not: Has not missed a Chase since its debut in 2004. For streak to continue, he needs to be better than he has the last few weeks. Signs point to that happening.

GREG BIFFLE

Points position: 12th

Points ahead of 13th: 101

Streaking or sliding: Sliding. Only two top-15 finishes in last six races. Has led one lap during that span.

Prospects: Watkins Glen (28.4 average finish in last five races) is his worst track of those left before the Chase.

Makes Chase or not: Hopes rest on how well he and his team handle the pressure of making the Chase.

KYLE BUSCH

Points position: 13th

Points behind 12th: 101

Streaking or sliding: Sliding. One top-10 in the last nine races and has fallen seven spots in the points standings since.

Prospects: Bristol, Richmond and Michigan are all strong tracks for him.

Makes Chase or not: For as potent as he and his team can be, it's hard to imagine him not making the Chase. Yet, he'll need others in front of him to have some issues.

BRIAN VICKERS

Points position: 14th

Points behind 12th: 104

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Thomasville youngster has finished seventh or better in each of last four races, climbing three spots in the points.

Prospects: Should be good at Michigan and Atlanta, but often struggles at Bristol and Richmond.

Makes Chase or not: If he can continue recent streak, he has a good chance, but he can't afford any hiccups.

CLINT BOWYER

Points position: 15th

Points behind 12th: 115

Streaking or sliding: Streaking. Two top-10s in last three races and six top-15 finishes in the last nine races.

Prospects: Strong lately at Bristol, Atlanta and Richmond.

Makes Chase or not: Might be too far back. Needs a few top-five finishes to have a chance.

DAVID REUTIMANN

Points position: 16th

Points behind 12th: 121

Streaking or sliding: Sliding. Has three top-10s in the nine races since his Coca-Cola 600 win.

Prospects: Recent results at upcoming tracks before the Chase don't provide the most hope.

Makes Chase or not: Team has made great strides, but may have to settle for that and hope for Chase appearance next year.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com