What is considered the most exciting, and also the most nerve-racking, race of the year? Â Some may say it’s the Daytona 500 because of what a victory at that race means, and the preparation that goes into it. Â But in all reality, the race that I just described is the final race to make the Chase, at Richmond.
This year certainly was in that category. Â You had teams that were already locked in, but were either losing momentum or were inconsistent. Â Then there were those one-win or no-win teams that were in the top-10 trying to get those extra bonus points to help their seeding.
Then there were the teams either barely in, or that were barely out. Â The Wild Card race alone made the Chase hunt worth watching.
After 400 laps, it was shocking, and intriguing of how this year’s Chase field would look. Â Look at the teams that made it in, especially ones that did not have a win. Â Dale Earnhardt Jr, who has come close on many occasions to win, is in. Â Clint Bowyer made it, despite being last year’s runner-up and not securing any wins in 2013. Â Finally, possibly the best feel-good story of the season, was Kurt Busch. Â When he signed with Furniture Row Racing late last year, he did so as a way to reinvigorate his career, and said that the single-car operation could compete with the multi-car teams.
He surely was right, as he nearly won three or four races late in the regular season, but made the Chase. Â He is leaving this team at the end of the year, but he wants to go out in the best way possible. Â He got them in the Chase, now he wants to win it.
On the flip side, the Wild Card race was won by Kasey Kahne, who ultimately had his spot secured no matter what based on two wins, and Martin Truex Jr, who’s win at Sonoma gave him the critical points needed.
Look at who is sitting on the outside of the Chase this season, a former champion and the current champion.
Jeff Gordon, whose had his share of bad luck this season, still was battling to make his season worth the effort, and get into the Chase. Â He won the pole, then led early. Â But a loose wheel put him back in the pack, but he battled his way forward, getting through the pack and finishing a strong eighth. Â But, Truex was one spot ahead of him, and when points were counted, that one position made the biggest difference. Â Had Gordon passed Truex for that final spot, he would be in the top-10 and in the Chase. Â Instead, he was one point on the outside, meaning for the second time in his career, Gordon will not compete for the championship.
The other driver that missed out this year is the driver trying to defend the championship. Â Brad Keselowski spent all year trying to get to victory lane, new car, new manufacturer, and a new outlook. Â But there were many hiccups on the way, including one major penalty at Texas.
It just seemed like the season that happened a year ago was never going to repeat itself, as he was in more of a hole than Gordon in trying to make the Chase field. Â So many factors, so many scenarios, and none of them fell into place. Â For the first time since 2006, the defending champion will not make the top-12.
So now, these 12 drivers are going after a championship. Â Between them, there are seven championships, with five of them belonging to the five-time champion Jimmie Johnson. Â The next 10 races will see many 1.5-mile speedways, a couple one-mile tracks, a short track, and the mammoth super speedway known as Talladega.
At the end of the year, there will either be a familiar name etched in the checkered flag trophy, or someone that has yet to taste championship champagne will be hoisting the trophy high in the air.
Fans, strap in, because the last two years of the Chase have seen one driver win half the races and tie for the title, while the other saw a driver star a team that has been known to make the Chase their personal playground for five straight years. Â What could 2013 bring?
It all starts next week, at Chicagoland.
RESULTS:  1-Edwards  2-Kurt Busch  3-Newman  4-McMurray  5-Menard  6-Kenseth  7-Truex Jr.  8-Gordon  9-Martin  10-Stenhouse Jr.
NOTABLE FINISHES:  11-Harvick  12-Biffle  13-Earnhardt Jr.  14-Kahne  17-Keselowski  19-Kyle Busch  22-Logano  25-Bowyer  30-Patrick  40-Johnson
CAUTIONS: Â 5 for 29 laps. Â Lap 137-141 (Debris), 208-214 (#30 spin-T4), 268-273 (Debris), 345-351 (Debris), 394-397 (#15 Spin-FS).
LEAD CHANGES: Â 17 among 9 drivers. Â Gordon 1-49, Keselowski 50-65, Kurt Busch 66-94, McMurray 95-96, Keselowski 97-104, Kenseth 105-109, Kurt Busch 110-137, McMurray 138-141, Keselowski 142-208, Kurt Busch 209-217, Keselowski 218-268, Kurt Busch 269, Bowyer 270-341, Kurt Busch 342-347, Edwards 348-390, Newman 391-394, Menard 395-397, Edwards 398-400.
TIME OF RACE: Â 2 Hrs, 51 Mins, 23 Secs.
AVERAGE SPEED: Â 105.028 MPH
MARGIN OF VICTORY: Â 0.668 Seconds
2013 CHASE FOR THE SPRINT CUP: Â 1-Kenseth, 2015 points; 2. Johnson, -3; 3. Kyle Busch, -3; 4. Harvick, -9; 5. Edwards, -9; 6. Logano, -12; 7. Biffle, -12; 8. Bowyer, -15; 9. Earnhardt Jr, -15; Kurt Busch, -15; 11. Kahne, -15; 12. Truex Jr, -15.