Hot 20 over the past 10 – Two hot wheelmen heading to Richmond will be left in the cold come Chase time

It is a good thing for many that the Chase is decided over the first 26 races of the season, not just what they have done lately. Not so good if you are Kurt Busch or Jeff Gordon. Both could use a win at Richmond, both seemed destined on making the Chase only if one beats the other for a Top Ten spot. Both have run very well over the past ten events. Busch has been the best out there, averaging 33.5 points per race, with Gordon sixth best at 31.5. Both have done enough lately to earn a place, but it is doubtful both will make it.

Ryan Newman needs to either win or be the best one win guy in points. Possibly bound for Childress Racing next year to replace Jeff Burton, Newman has been picking up an average of 31 points per weekend. Jamie McMurray needs to win, period, to have even a shot. His 30.5 point average is good, but may be too late to be of use. If nothing else, it explains why he got an extension to his contract.

While Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Greg Biffle have not exactly set the world on fire in recent weeks, they still remain strong. Biffle sits 15th on this list, and a perilous ninth in the standings, yet even he has averaged better than a 16th place finish over the past ten. Do that over the course of the season and one would have 700 points and 14th place in the standings. There are a lot of boys and a girl who only wish they had it as good as Biffle has it bad right now.

If you check their career finishes at Richmond, give Junior, Logano, and Biffle a berth, with Kurt and Gordon going down to the wire to see who gets the ninth invite. The final wild card should be no contest. Newman is nearly a dozen spots better, on average, than Martin Truex Jr on the Virginia mile. Of course, we have to wait and see if this will wind up an average Saturday night in Richmond.