Chase implications notwithstanding, Kevin Harvick is thinking it will be racing as ususal at Richmond. Credit: Autostock

Richmond set to rock as push toward Chase ends

RICHMOND, Va. -- Ten drivers. Four spots. One Chase.

After 25 races, it's come down to 400 laps at Richmond International Raceway to decide the final berths in the Chase to the Nextel Cup.

Six drivers already have clinched a spot in the second annual Chase, while 10 drivers will take the green flag in hopes of securing one of four remaining slots. ... Or five, maybe six, if there is a tie for 10th place.

	Dale Jarrett knows his chances are slim. Credit: Autostock
	Race to the Chase Points entering Richmond Pos. Driver Pts. Behind 7. J. Mayfield 3,073 -- 8. C. Edwards 3,014 -- 9. M. Kenseth 2,939 -- 10. J. McMurray 2,929 -- 11. R. Newman 2,928 -1 12. J. Gordon 2,899 -30 13. E. Sadler 2,877 -52 14. D. Jarrett 2,812 -117 15. K. Harvick 2,798 -131 16. J. Nemechek 2,794 -135 INSIDE THE CHASE •   Driver Standings •   Tie could add to field •   Complete Coverage

NASCAR added a wrinkle to the Chase system Friday: In the event of a tie for 10th place, whether it involves two or more drivers, all drivers tied for the position will advance to the 10-race playoff.

Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick is among the 10 drivers hoping to make the final cut. He enters the race 15th in the standings, 131 points behind Jamie McMurray.

"I think everybody, from eighth to 13th, will probably be doing whatever they can do to gain every spot they can," Harvick said. "But I think there is a lot of over-emphasis put on a lot of things, as far as people driving over their heads or doing something that they wouldn't do on a normal week.

"We all go out every week and race as hard as we can and try to win the race week in and week out. So, I don't think you're going to see anything out of the ordinary for a short track."

Four other Chase contenders also earned top-10 starting positions for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400: Jeff Gordon (sixth), Ryan Newman (eighth), Dale Jarrett (ninth) and defending race winner Jeremy Mayfield (10th).

"We're not in much of a position to hold much back," Jarrett said. "We just need a good run. We haven't had one in quite a while. We've put ourselves in this position and we just have to go and have a good race. Whether it's good enough to get us in [the Chase], it's probably not going to, regardless of what happens."

Gordon qualified 39th of 50 cars and said the track had plenty of grip, key to posting a fast lap. "To get those kind of speeds you have to put it on the edge," he said. "[It] wasn't the best lap I've ever made but [I] got a decent time."

And Gordon understands he's racing for his playoff life. "We've got to make gains," he said, "but [qualifying sixth] is a good start. It's a good way to start off the weekend."

	Can Elliott Sadler make an improbable run from the 32nd starting position? Credit: Autostock
	CHEVY ROCK & ROLL 400 •   Harvick on pole •   Race Lineup •   Complete Coverage

Mayfield is seventh in points and needs only to finish 19th or better to clinch a berth, while Newman is 11th -- one point behind McMurray -- and Gordon is 12th, 30 points behind.

Joe Nemechek will start 11th. He is 16th in the standings, 135 points behind 10th place, and is the last driver eligible to make the Chase depending on his result Saturday night.

Roush Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards currently are in the top 10, but will start 13th and 18th, respectively. Elliott Sadler -- in 13th on the outside looking in -- and McMurray will start 19th and 32nd.

"Obviously, anything can happen," Kenseth said, "but just based solely on performance I feel good about our chances. I think our performance is going to be pretty good. Compared to the competition, I was pretty happy with our car -- the way it drove and what our speeds were -- so as far as just performance goes I feel OK about it."

If there's one bit of ominous history for McMurray, the farthermost back a driver has started and rallied to win at RIR is 30th, by Richard Petty in 1971.

"We know what we've got to do," said Sadler, who was in last year's inaugural Chase. "We just have to go ahead and try to do it."