Chase Bubble: Stewart in; Larson sparks shake-up

RELATED: Provisional Chase Grid

Here’s a breakdown of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Grid and bubble picture after Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

NEW WINNER, NEW SHAKE-UP

Kyle Larson‘s victory in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 altered the complexion of the provisional Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoff grid, securing another postseason berth for a first-time winner. The result means one less postseason berth for drivers hoping to qualify for the Chase on points, knocking Ryan Newman out of the provisional field of 16. Jamie McMurray, Larson’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, currently clings to the final Chase berth with two regular-season events (Darlington, Richmond) remaining.

FORMALLY WIN AND IN

Tony Stewart wound up 21st in his final Michigan race, two laps off the leader’s pace. It was enough to formally clinch a postseason spot, pairing his Sonoma victory in June with a steady hold on 26th in the driver standings. Stewart missed the first eight races of his final championship campaign with a back injury.

BUESCHER’S STANDING

Chris Buescher limped to a 35th-place finish, slightly weakening his grasp on a postseason slot. Buescher prevailed at Pocono Raceway earlier this month to check one requirement for Chase eligibility; the second is a place among the top 30 in the Sprint Cup driver standings. Buescher remains 30th in the standings, but his margin over 31st-place David Ragan shrank from 13 to seven points.

LOCKED IN

Drivers who have clinched a spot in the Chase are: Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin (all with multiple wins), along with one-win drivers Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Tony Stewart and Martin Truex Jr. Chris Buescher is currently in the Chase Grid, but has not clinched a spot. After Sunday’s 400-miler, just two regular-season races (Darlington, Richmond) remain before the 16-driver postseason field is settled.

BUBBLE WATCH

With 24 of 26 regular-season races complete, just three at-large spots (at present) for non-winners remain available. Here’s how that picture looks post-Michigan.

Editor’s note: The standings below are the Chase Grid standings, not the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers’ standings.

CHASE BUBBLE WATCH