It's make or break for all those chase hopeful teams this weekend. They are going to have to pull out their best performance of the year. Here are some of the averages at Richmond for those chase teams on the bubble.
Somewhat Safe teams: Dino's Racing should have no problem making it in unless he finishes close to last and everyone else around him has top 10 runs. He finished 9th earlier this year. 127 points ahead of 13th place.
Shawnda's Redneck Racing - did not have a very good average at richmond until this year. Before 2007, she struggled in her previous 5 starts here, but pulled out a 4th place finish in the spring. As long as she doesn't finish below 35th or so, she should be good to make the chase for the first time. 92 points ahead of 13th place.
Bubble teams: Syracuse Alpine Racing - Had good finishes at Richmond in the first couple years, but struggled in the last 3 starts. She has some breathing room, but will need to find some of that past success or she'll be sweating it out. She's looking to be in the chase this year instead of the top non-chase team. 83 points ahead of 13th place.
Lefflerfan - Has struggled in 3 starts at Richmond. He finished 20th this year for his best finish, but previous finishes were 38th and 31st. I'd be a bit worried if I were Stephen... He'll need to figure Richmond out quickly so he can make the chase again. 40 points ahead of 13th place.
Holding on for dear life: Warpigs - Looking to make the chase for the 2nd year in a row. 12th was his best finish, but that was his first start back in 2005. Since then, it has all been below 23rd place. Tracy needs his best finish at this track to be in it again. 38 points ahead of 13th place.
Big Country Motorsports - Looking to join his sister in the chase for the first time. Like his sister, Kendall has not had good finishes at Richmond prior to this year. He was 10th in the spring race, but struggled before that. The two siblings will need to work together so both can get in. Just 12 points ahead of 13th place!
Sizzlerfreak19 - Looking to become the 5th rookie to make the chase. He has lots of hungry drivers behind him hoping he hits the wall so they can take that spot away. He finished 24th earlier in the year in his only start. He's going to need to a much better run than that, most likely a top 5. 8 little points of 13th!
Looking to sneak in: Speed Demon Racing - A 16th place finish at Cali knocked Speedy out of the chase, but he'll be looking to get back in at Richmond. The last two Richmond races have been good for Speedy, an 11th place finish this year and 4th before. If he can pull out another good finish this time, he should be able to knock out one of the teams ahead of him and make the chase for the 2nd time. 8 points behind 12th.
Bump And Go Racing - Finally got a win at California and put him into good contention to make the chase. The last few races have been hit or miss for Bumpy.... he will need to try for two hits in a row to make the chase for the third straight year. He does have a good record at Richmond which will benefit him... two top 10's and a top 5. 35 points behind 12th.
Will need some help and some luck: Jeffjoeracing - Has really struggled in the race to the chase which most likely sealed his doom. A 40th place Richmond finish earlier this year does not forbode too well. 71 points behind 12th.
YatesFan - Marty has two top 10 finishes at Richmond in 4 starts which could work to his avantage, but may be just a little too far back now. He has worked his way up the standings in recent weeks but may have run out of time. 105 points out of 12th.
Praying for a miracle: J-Rod's Hot Rods: 118 points out Rednex Motorsports: 119 points out CrazyAboutRusty2: 134 points out Intimidator Racing: 136 points out Top Dawgs: 139 points out Daniel Jack's Racing Team: 161 points out
The best performance at Richmond from those teams is myself, Intimidator Racing... Two 2nd place finishes and Two 9th place finishes. However, 36th earlier this year wasn't too good. Unless one of those 6 teams win the race and a few of the teams currently in the chase finish below 35th, they will not get in.