Richmond, last stop before the chase

Richmond is the last stop before the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. 12 drivers will be entered into the competition by the end of Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and everyone else will just be raising for bragging rights. Five drivers, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton, have clinched their spots in the chase. One more, Greg Biffle, only needs to start Saturday's race to clinch his spot. That leaves six chase spots for eight drivers. With that being said, here's who to watch on Saturday...

Denny Hamlin, No. 11 FedEx Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Last Week: 3rd place finish in the Pepsi 500
Career at Richmond: 10.0 Avg. Finish, 2 top 5's, 3 top 10's
Why he could win: This man dominated Richmond in the Spring like Jimmie Johnson dominated at the Auto Club Speedway last week. The only difference is Johnson closed the deal while Hamlin blew a tire and finished back in the pack. I suspect Hamlin and crew will be more determined then ever now to win at Hamlin's home track. Watch out for him Saturday.

Clint Bowyer, No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
Last Week: 10th place finish in the Pepsi 500
Career at Richmond: 8.8 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 1 top 5, 3 top 10's
Why he could win: If there was ever a time for Bowyer and company to pull out all the stops this weekend would be the perfect time. He sits only a few points ahead of 13th place David Ragan and he needs to have a solid run to earn himself a second consecutive trip into the Chase.

David Ragan, No. 6 AAA Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 13th place finish in the Pepsi 500
Career at Richmond: 13.3 Avg. Finish, 1 top 5, 1 top 10
Why he could win: Much like Bowyer, everything is riding on Ragan's performance in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. If he were competing for a chase spot this time last year his third place finish in last year's event would have clinched it for him. The problem is that was last year and this is this year. Can Ragan prove everyone wrong and make the chase?

My underdog this week is a driver many consider to be the next big sensation...

Joey Logano, No. 02 Home Depot Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Last Week: Did not race
Career at Richmond: Attempting to make first career start
Why he could win: Everyone expect's Logano to make headlines fast in the Sprint Cup Series. Who knows, he very well may. I wouldn't put anything past this kid considering how fast he went to victory lane in the Nationwide Series. Watch out for him on Saturday.