Current Standings
Clint Bowyer currently holds the twelfth spot by just seventeen points over David Ragan. Who will make the Chase and who will be left to battle for thirteenth?
Clint Bowyer's slim lead means that he needs to be solid all night long in Richmond. Seventeen points translates to roughly four positions in the top ten or six positions outside of the top ten. If Bowyer finishes ahead of Ragan or within four positions of him (assuming Ragan doesn't win it) then Clint Bowyer makes the Chase.
Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer has raced at Richmond five times in the Sprint Cup series. His worst finish ever at Richmond was twelfth. His best finish was a win when the Sprint Cup series visited Richmond in the spring of this year.
With Richmond stats like these David Ragan has a tough row to hoe.
David Ragan
David Ragan has one year less experience than Bowyer. In his three Richmond races to date Ragan's best is a third place effort in this race last year. His other two finishes were 20th in the spring of 2007 and 17th when the Sprint Cup stars ran here earlier this season.
Clearly the stats seem to favor Clint Bowyer in this battle but lets not rule out Jack Roush's influence. Roush is a master strategist and he will make sure that David Ragan has a chance to battle for the Championship if at all possible.
Prediction
Clint Bowyer and David Ragan are sure to provide excitement on Saturday night. Surely twelfth place will change hands back and forth throughout the race.
However, when it comes down to it I believe that Clint Bowyer is just too good at Richmond for David Ragan to catch him. If both drivers are running at the end then I think Bowyer will maintain his spot in the Chase leaving David Ragan out in the cold.
