NASCAR Sprint Cup at Richmond: Drivers Who'll Be in the Mix at the Richmond 400

The drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series head to Richmond International Raceway to rehearse for the fall race that is the last chance to make the Chase dance. For some, poor performance now may cost them dearly when they return.

RIR is a short track that races much like a superspeedway. The 3/4-mile track hosts both of their races at night and racing can turn evil where action is fast under the lights.

The popular Virginia track has hosted the last race before the Chase each year since it was introduced in 2004.

After two races on intermediate tracks, the points game could easily change beginning at Richmond, where drivers who are strong on the bigger tracks may not maintain advantage.

In no particular order, the 10 drivers who will be mixing it up in an effort to take the checkered flag at the Richmond 400 will be predicted.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is not finding the 2012 season to be anything like what he is used to. Currently, he ranks 13th in the Cup standings with only three top-10 finishes this season.

His endeavors with Kyle Busch Motorsports haven't quite come together as quickly as he had hoped with the NCWTS and Nationwide car he shares with older brother, Kurt Busch.

Busch has had to cut back his racing considerably, and that may have some effect on his momentum with the Cup series. . .or perhaps there is a deeper problem at Joe Gibbs Racing.

At Richmond, he just may find his first victory of the year. He has three wins, 11 top-five finishes and an average finish of 5.0.

Once Busch gets his first win this season, it is likely more will follow.

Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards, perhaps the self-proclaimed superstar of Roush Fenway Racing, hasn't performed quite up to his own standards with five top-10 finishes and a ninth-place ranking in the points.

Edwards is another driver who has cut back his double-duty weekend racing by staying out of the Nationwide series this season to concentrate on Cup racing.

His teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth seem to be out-performing Edwards, with each having won a race. Biffle is staying strong at the top of the points and Kenseth is ranked third.

Edwards in his No. 99 Ford just doesn't seem to have the speed of his teammates for whatever reason.

The upcoming race at Richmond may not be a track Edwards looks forward to, but he is hungry for a win. He has not won at RIR, where he has seven top-10 finishes and an average of 15.1.

He may run the strongest of the the RFR drivers at Richmond.

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick is proving to be the strongest of the drivers at Richard Childress Racing. He is ranked sixth in the point standings with five top-10 finishes this season.

The driver of the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet is concentrating his driving duties primarily on Cup racing and very much wants to run for the title this year.

At Richmond, Harvick has two wins, 14 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 11.5. He is anxious to get to Victory Lane and start securing his spot in the Chase other than by trying to be consistent.

Martin Truex Jr.

Martin Truex Jr. is not particularly good on short tracks, but he is sizzling hot with Michael Waltrip Racing and ready to pounce on a win.

Truex is second in the point standings with six top-10 finishes this season. His record at Richmond International Raceway shows just two top-10 finishes and his average is 24.3.

Things may well change for this driver because the whole program is amped up from prior years at MWR. He is ready to win at any size track and should have the car to be in the mix at the Richmond 400.

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson wheels the Lowe's No. 48 for Hendrick Motorsports and currently ranks seventh in the point standings, having finished in the top 10 six times this season.

Johnson is due to win a race. Like the other HMS drivers, he wants to snatch that 200th Cup win for Rick Hendrick.

Johnson has three wins at Richmond, five top-five finishes and an average of 17.2. His average finish at intermediate tracks is much better than shorter tracks, but he is running well and may close the deal at RIR.

Tony Stewart

Our reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion has found Victory Lane twice this season and is eighth in the point standings.

His performance has been lackluster in a couple of races. Some of the reasoning for that may be due to some team experimentation early in the season, since he has the two wins.

Tony Stewart runs well at Richmond, with a record of three wins, nine top-five and 17 top-10 finishes with an average of 10.9.

Stewart is looking to get back on track with top-10 finishes and perhaps another win. If he has a strong car, look for him contending for a win in the Richmond 400.

Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 for Joe Gibbs Racing, is fresh off his second win of the season at Kansas Speedway. Now he heads to Richmond, a track the Virginia native considers his home track.

Hamlin is ranked fifth in the point standings, and the guidance of his new crew chief, Darian Grubb, looks to be paying dividends.

Hamlin is good on short tracks with an average of 9.9. He has two wins at RIR, six top-five finishes and an average finish of 7.6.

The driver of the FedEx car always wants to win at Richmond. You can count on him to be running in the lead pack, but a third win this early in the season may be a bit optimistic.

Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon and his No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet have not fared well at several races this season because of wrecks, engine failure and lack of speed. He is currently 18th in the point standings.

Gordon really needs to take the checkered flag, and since he is good at short tracks with his 11.3 average finish, he might get a win at Richmond.

Gordon has two wins at RIR, 15 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes with an average finish of 14.5. If he can qualify well and has a strong car, perhaps he can find that elusive 200th win for HMS.

Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer drives the No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. The sponsor just signed on for extended sponsorship, which is good news for the new and improved MWR operation.

Bowyer is 11th in the standings and has three top-10 finishes this season, one of which was a top five.

This driver grew up racing on dirt short tracks, and his average finish in Cup racing on short tracks is 14.4. At Richmond, Bowyer has one win, one top-five and six top-10 finishes, with an average of 10.5.

After the disappointment with engine problems at the track he considers home, Kansas Speedway, last weekend, this driver is hungry for a win. MWR just may give him the car to do it with at RIR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has put together a string of four consecutive top-10 finishes, and is currently fourth in the point standings.

The driver of the No.88 Chevrolet knows his winless streak of 137 races has got to end at some point, and what better place than RIR where he has three wins, eight top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

Junior likes the shorter tracks and has a 14.4 average at Richmond. His average short track finish is 12.9.

What a celebration there would be if Earnhardt could end his win drought and bring the 200th win to Hendrick Motorsports, which hasn't had a win in 14 races.