NASCAR's 10 Non-Chase Drivers from 2011 Who Could Make It in 2012

Just like the sun that shined down relentlessly on the participants of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Phoenix, the light of a Chase berth will inevitably garnish its favor upon an unsuspecting fellow in 2012. However, spots are limited.

Let's face it: Out of 12 possible Chase positions, at least six NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are all but guaranteed a spot. Really, it is not much different than the upcoming NBA or NHL playoffs.

This year's Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth will be there. Kevin Harvick, on the back of two consecutive third-place overall seasons, is pretty much a lock. Kurt Busch looks like he may struggle to be a Chaser with his new Phoenix Racing team, but his brother Kyle will certainly make it.

Tony Stewart should not have a huge problem getting the chance to defend his historic 2011 title run, and 2011 runner-up Carl Edwards will get another crack at his first championship.

Though five-time champion Jimmie Johnson has endured severe setbacks to start the 2012 season, few would not consider him a serious Chase candidate.

This does not even take into account the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports colleagues, as no-doubt contenders. It is very likely that at least one of those two drivers will be a Chase participant.

Still, that leaves five or six spots up for grabs during the course of the 2012 season.

Though it is likely that 2012 will see some other repeat Chasers, such as Brad Keselowski and Subway Fresh Fit 500 winner Denny Hamlin, the Chase should still be considered an open door to many drivers.

Here are 10 that missed the chance in 2011 but have a great chance at redemption, or their very first Chase, in 2012. 

Greg Biffle

The No. 16 3M Ford Fusion has been making noise in 2012. After a severely disappointing 2011 season, Greg Biffle—thus far—looks ready to get back to the Chase.

Currently second in points overall, he followed up a third-place finish at the Daytona 500 with the same finish at Phoenix. Moreover, his car looks ready to take a trip back to Victory Lane at least once this season.

That victory, coupled with the consistency he has shown in the young 2012 campaign, should be more than enough to spawn a postseason berth.

Biffle has made the Chase on more than one occasion. It looks like 2012 could be a return year with a decent shot at finishing high in the standings for yet another Roush Fenway Racing employee.

Martin Truex Jr.

2012 has the beginnings of a great year for Michael Waltrip Racing. Currently, the organization has two drivers in the top eight spots. Truex Jr. sits in sixth after two very solid races at Daytona and Phoenix.

A 12th-place finish at the Daytona 500, coupled with a seventh-place slot in Phoenix, have put Truex Jr. in a great spot. If he can, at some point in the season, break his winless streak that dates back to 2007, he could have the makings of a strong 2012 Chase run.

Still, he will need to break that ignominious streak to make a stronger case for the Chase.

Paul Menard

On the surface, Paul Menard's season has been disappointing. He crashed out in the Budweiser Shootout, his Gatorade Duel heat and at Phoenix in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.

However, with all of that misfortune, he still finds himself currently 14th in the standings. His sixth-place finish at the Daytona 500 was vindication for the bad luck he suffered in getting caught up in wrecks not of his own making.

He has a shot—a real shot—at making the 2012 Chase. It would not hurt a bit if he could also notch a victory, at some point in the season, so that a wild-card berth could become a viable reality.

Joey Logano

Joey Logano has never seriously contended for a spot in the Chase. So far, 2012 looks like the year that trend could change.

He has kicked off the season with two finishes in the top 10. Who knows if that consistency will continue, but he is already well on his way to improving upon his lackluster 24th-place overall finish in 2011.

It is not to say that Logano is the strongest contender of the non-Chasers from 2011, but his results require a keen eye to be placed on "Sliced Bread's" endeavors for at least another month.

Kasey Kahne

Kasey Kahne's start to the 2012 season is probably what he envisioned in his nightmares after he signed on to become a part of Hendrick Motorsports.

Summed up in one word: horrible.

After two races, he is uncomfortably notched in 32nd place. This is surely a disappointment, as many analysts and experts picked him as a Chaser once he switched over from Red Bull racing to the Hendrick organization.

He still has time. After all, if he was able to salvage a 14th overall standing in 2011 with a dead-in-the-water outfit like Red Bull Racing, he should be able to at least make the Chase with a juggernaut like Hendrick Motorsports.

The No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet team has its work cut out for it. At this point, it needs to adapt and overcome.

Clint Bowyer

As the newest member of Michael Waltrip Racing, Clint Bowyer has spent much more time on pit row than he would have preferred.

He ran out of gas at Daytona.

He cut up multiple tires in Phoenix.

It looks ugly now. The only reason for his inclusion in this ilk is that he has made the Chase before. Can he do it in 2012? Only time can tell. Marked improvement must take place for this to happen.

A.J. Allmendinger

Like almost every driver that switched teams for the 2012 season, A.J. Allmendinger has not had the success he probably envisioned when he signed his name on the dotted line in the offseason.

With placings of 34th and 18th so far in the season, he obviously needs to improve. He still has not finished on the lead lap while racing for Roger Penske.

Right now, his Chase potential seems very weak, but only a season ago, fellow teammate Brad Keselowski was 26th in the standings until the summer. Brad K translated that poor start into a surprising Chase berth. Perhaps 'Dinger can do the same.

Jeff Burton

Like Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton was completely disappointed with his 2011 results. Just like the sun that shined down on Phoenix International Raceway at the Subway Fresh Fit 500, Burton's 2012 season has shown rays of light that are a cause for optimism.

Though Phoenix was a forgettable result for him, he still remains in 13th place, just one spot shy of Chase-contender status. As a former Chaser, one could assume that he still has one shot at the title left in his competitive spirit.

Like many drivers on this list, "The Mayor" is yet another who has not made the trip to Victory Lane in an extended period of time.

Regan Smith

Regan Smith has not posted great results in 2012, but he is becoming a rather decent qualifier. A sixth- and a third-place qualifying result has netted him results no better than 20th on the day of the race in 2012.

No matter, because those qualifying results are indicative of a quality car with a quality team. Smith may indeed still be one year removed from a Chase berth, but don't be surprised if he sneaks his way in this year.

In any event, this driver will participate in the Sprint Cup Chase before his racing days are done.

Mark Martin

It does not matter that veteran Mark Martin is only running in 25 of the 36 Sprint Cup races this year. If he keeps posting results (plus poles, as in Phoenix) akin to what he has already accomplished in 2012, he may just get back into the Chase.

The odds are stacked against him. No driver in the Michael Waltrip Racing stable has ever made the Chase. Still, if Martin can continue what he has already achieved in 2012, NASCAR may end up with a reverse Cinderella story on its hands.