The Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup was implemented in 2004 to involve more drivers in the championship hunt and intensify fan interest and drama during the season's stretch run. Every year since the inception of The Chase, the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway has been "One Last Race To Make The Chase." The first 26 points events of the 36-race season determine the drivers eligible for The Chase and, ultimately, the series title. After race No. 26, at Richmond International Raceway, the top 12 drivers will qualify for the Chase.

“One Last Race to Make the Chase” has produced some memorable moments in NASCAR Sprint Cup history with drivers putting it all on the line to race their way into the Chase. Here is a brief look at some of the highlights in recent years: 2004: Jeremy Mayfield won the race vaulting himself into the first Chase.

2005: Kurt Busch won the race and Jeff Gordon was left out of the Chase.

2006: Kevin Harvick won the race and Tony Stewart was knocked out of the Chase by Kasey Kahne.

2007: Jimmie Johnson won his second consecutive race at Richmond and earned bonus points to start the Chase as the points leader.

2008: Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer came in on the Bubble in 11th and 12th positions, respectively, and turned in clutch performances. Hamlin posted a third-place finish, while Bowyer, who entered with just a 17-point lead over 13th-place David Ragan, battled all day for a 12th-place finish to secure his Chase spot.

2009: Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch both came in outside of the Chase and battled to the final lap with Vickers earning his first Chase berth. After the final Chase berth changed hands seemingly on a lap-by-lap basis all night, in the end a seventh-place finish by Vickers knocked Matt Kenseth and Busch out of the Chase.

Richmond International Raceway will once again host "One Last Race to Make the Chase" in 2010, as the fall Sprint Cup Series race at America's Premier Short Track on September 11 will set the 2010 Chase field.