Federated Auto Parts 400: Drivers Who Need a Win at Richmond

The Federated Auto Parts 400 gives drivers one more chance to earn a spot in the Chase for the Cup.

There are only a few spots remaining, so it will likely take a win at Richmond International Speedway for those outside the top 10 to secure their place.

All of these men have had great careers, but the only thing that matters is the present and they do not want to be on the outside looking in.

Jeff Gordon

The former champion has only finished outside of the top 10 once since 1994. That was in 2005, when he finished the year in 11th place. This year, however, Jeff Gordon is in serious danger of continuing his competitive season past this weekend.

He can make the Chase without a win, but he would feel safer with it. Starting in the second position helps, along with the fact that he was two career wins in Richmond and a whole lot of top-10 finishes.

Gordon needs to keep his recent momentum and take home one more win.

Kyle Busch

If the Chase for the Cup started before the Federated Auto Parts 400, Kyle Busch would get the second wild card spot. Unfortunately, he will now have to work hard to keep that position.

He has been relatively consistent this season with 12 top-10 finishes, including three of his last four races, but it might take a little more to secure his spot in the next 10 races.

The good news is he performs his best on this track. A first-place finish earlier in the year gives him three wins in his last four appearances at Richmond. More of the same will ensure that he reaches the Chase.

Carl Edwards

It will take more than a win for Carl Edwards to keep his hopes alive, but it certainly will not hurt his chances. Although last year's runner-up has zero first-place finishes this year, a win with some extra help could allow him to reach the Chase as a wild card.

For him to do that he needs to fix the problems that have plagued him in the last couple of races. A 22nd-place finish at the IRWIN Tools Night Race was followed by a 36th-place finish at AdvoCare 500. These two combined to put him at the brink of elimination.

This is his last chance to turn things around.

Marcos Ambrose

It is a surprise to some that Marcos Ambrose even has a chance to reach the Chase as a relative unknown, but a win puts him in the running.

Like Edwards, he needs help from others to get a wild card spot. He will also have to do some work to overcome starting in the No. 22 position. Still, a solid finish to the year that includes a win and two top-five finishes in the last four races keeps him alive.

With the way he has raced recently, he has as good of a chance as anyone to take home the checkered flag.