Cross' Words: Loudon

With nine races remaining until the Chase field is set after Richmond, what are the chances of a driver currently outside the top 12 bumping his way into the playoff field? The clock is ticking -- loudly -- but the possibility remains, long shot as it may be.

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Ryan Newman is 127 points behind 12th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr., while Jamie McMurray trails by 184. Newman and McMurray are the only drivers within a race's point total of the Chase cutoff.

But is Junior the driver in the crosshairs?

Clint Bowyer has fluctuated between eighth and 10th for the past two months and now sits 11th -- one point ahead of Earnhardt.

Bowyer has been flying under the radar for most of the season despite eight top-10 finishes. While Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton have been garnering headlines, Bowyer has been consistent but unable to break through for his first Cup Series victory.

On Sunday at New Hampshire a cut oil line relegated Bowyer to his worst finish of the season, 37th, and he fell two spots -- but now comes Daytona, where his average finish is 11.3 in three starts, including two top-10s.

Nonetheless, the spotlight should be on Bowyer -- for all the right reasons -- as the Chase field races toward Richmond. He has been steady for Richard Childress Racing during the past 36 races and if track history holds form, Bowyer will be in the mix to compete for the Cup championship during the final 10 races.

So which driver is in the most precarious position? Is it Earnhardt, who welcomes back crew chief Tony Eury Jr. this weekend after a six-race suspension? Maybe Truex, who has two Busch Series titles and should be numb to the pressure? Could Kyle Busch implode and make his exit from Hendrick even that more ... understandable?

Weigh in with your take and let's turn up the dialogue a notch. I'm on record with Bowyer not cracking down the stretch and making it a three-team RCR run during the Chase. (Continued)