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Only four drivers have clinched a spot in NASCAR's 12-man Chase for the Sprint Cup heading into Saturday night's race at Richmond, the final event before the field is set.

Get ready for what could be some wild action. To get you ready, here's a look at the challengers and who has to worry and who doesn't.

CARL EDWARDS
Rank: Fifth
Points ahead of 13th: 105
Clinches Chase spot: 24th or better; 25th or better if leads a lap; 27th or better if leads most laps
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 20.0
In or out: Won't see a back flip with his broken foot, but you'll see Edwards in the Chase again.
Quote: "Until we're mathematically in it, I'm not resting on anything."

KASEY KAHNE
Rank: Sixth
Points ahead of 13th: 96
Clinches Chase spot: 21st or better; 23rd or better if leads a lap; 24th or better if leads most laps.
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 21.2
In or out: Atlanta win proved vital since he's been off at Richmond lately. Still, he makes it.
Quote: "I just feel like from sixth to 14th it's close and any one of us can miss it.''

KURT BUSCH
Rank: Seventh
Points ahead of 13th: 95
Clinches Chase spot: 20th or better; 22nd or better if leads a lap; 24th or better if leads most laps.
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 15.6
In or out: Has been up and down lately, but still strong enough to make Chase and will.
Quote: "Last year, we just had Hendrick, Roush, Childress, those three teams figured it out better than anybody and they each put their cars in the Chase. This year, we've had some (other) teams advance their program."

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
Rank: Eighth
Points ahead of 13th: 88
Clinches Chase spot: 18th or better; 20th or better if leads a lap; 21st or better if leads most laps
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 27.8
In or out: Track has not been kind, but scored a career-best 10th there in May, so count on him making Chase.
Quote: "We're in good shape."

RYAN NEWMAN
Rank: Ninth
Points ahead of 13th: 81
Clinches Chase spot: 16th or better; 17th or better if leads a lap; 19th or better if leads most laps.
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 12.0
In or out: Has been strong on the short tracks this season. He makes it.
Quote: "I'm confident with our team and I'm confident with our abilities, but I just don't know racing-wise if something is going to happen in front of us or whatever."

MARK MARTIN
Rank: 10th
Points ahead of 13th: 69
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 10.2
Clinches Chase spot: 12th or better; 14th or better if leads a lap; 15th or better if leads most laps.
In or out: His track record is good at Richmond, but one wonders if the bad luck that has struck throughout the season strikes again. Look for him to make it, but it will be close.
Quote: "We have our race to do, and we have to handle our business the same no matter what."

GREG BIFFLE
Rank: 11th
Points ahead of 13th: 68
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 20.6
Clinches Chase spot: 11th or better; 13th or better if leads a lap; 15th or better if leads most laps.
In or out: He's either hot or cold at Richmond, and lately he's been cold. Time for a change. He slips in.
Quote: "I don't think we can play if safe."

MATT KENSETH
Rank: 12th
Points ahead of 13th: 20
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 22.8
Clinches Chase spot: 2nd or better if leads a lap; 3rd or better if leads most laps.
In or out: Has not been impressive at Richmond lately. Streak continues and he misses the Chase.
Quote: "We're barely running good enough to make it if everything goes right."

BRIAN VICKERS
Rank: 13th
Points behind 12th: 20
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 25.4
In or out: Even with Kenseth's struggles, the Thomasville driver hasn't run well enough at Richmond to make it. He just misses the Chase.
Quote: "It's very clear as to what we have to do, which is pretty much go there and win the race."

KYLE BUSCH
Rank: 14th:
Points behind 12th: 37
Avg. finish last 5 RIR races: 8.0
In or out: Forget the problems he's had throughout the season, he's strong at Richmond and that will get him in the Chase.
Quote: "The pressure is on for sure."

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