(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Scratch one wildcard off the list in the Race to the Chase. So, just how badly did Daytona shake up the point standings? Well, going into last Saturday's race, one point separated 12th and 13th. This week, that gap is 65…quite a bit larger than we’ve seen of late.

So, who came out of Daytona smelling pretty, and who came out smelling…well…not so pretty? Well, aside from the obvious (i.e. Tony Stewart), Carl Edwards helped his Chase efforts by finishing fourth, solidly keeping him in the top five in the standings. He hasn't locked up a spot, but nothing says he won't do so at this point.

Denny Hamlin also boosted his Chase hopes with a third, keeping him only 15 points out of the top five. Like Edwards, he hasn't locked up a spot by any means, runs like that will keep up near (or even in) the top five; Hamlin’s main issue is going to be breaking his current winless streak, which dates back to Martinsville in April…of 2008.

So, what about the bubble drivers? Who struck gold, and who went broke (or is on the way to do so) trying?

10th place Matt Kenseth

He managed to back up is 500 win with an eighth last Saturday night, a top ten that he needed. Kenseth’s struggles from March until now have documented, and any finish in the top ten will suit him well.

Of course, that run came in a restrictor plate race, and they don't make up the bulk of run to Richmond. He'll have to prove he ran in the top 10 (and top five) consistently on the intermediate tracks, starting this week in Chicagoland.

The good news for him is that he typically runs well in the Windy City, and could be poised to get another solid run. He'll need more to sure up his Chase spot and he can’t afford finishes below 20^th or 25^th. The team has it in them, but it might be a matter of not making mistakes…which isn’t necessarily easy to do.

11^th place Juan Pablo Montoya

No top fives for the Colombian, but eight top tens have him in the Chase this week. Typical of his season, his Daytona was quiet, but efficient. He ended up ninth, avoiding all the trouble (including the last-lap crash) and moved up a spot in the standings.

Me thinks that this driver and team is getting stronger as the year goes. And, with one more road course looming, at least one really good shot at a win is in front of them

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