FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's Chase Makes Its Way to Paperclip at Martinsville

NASCAR's Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 event at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday could claim more Chase contenders. A crash or part failure on the .526-mile paperclip-oval track with 12-degree banking can dim playoff hopes and make the next two races "do-or-doom" for the dwindling number of Chase candidates.

Only eight drivers are now qualified to chase the Sprint Cup. Only four will roll into Homestead for a chance to be crowned champion. Only four races remain in the long Sprint Cup Series season. Intensity seems to be the norm for NASCAR's new elimination ladder. 

Big NSCS names like Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne were victims to the Chase gauntlet in Talladega. Some race fans may not be new fans of the elimination format because their favorite drivers will now have no chance at the coveted championship. Still, the eight remaining contenders have had good results all season, and four will deserve a shot at the last championship opportunity. 

Six top drivers shared their present thoughts before the waving of the green flag at Martinsville. Not all of them can be among the final four in the Chase.

Drivers often only concentrate on the next race, but with new elimination rounds, they tend to look beyond to all three significant events. Still, all want the unique Martinsville trophy—a grandfather clock.

Joey Logano stressed the significance of a win at Martinsville.

"We want to win this weekend to lock us into the next round of competition and to be a lock to race for the championship in Homestead," Logano said. "That is very important. But it would also be pretty cool to win one of those grandfather clocks."

Kevin Harvick shared his confidence ahead of the Martinsville green flag.

"We have been fortunate to have won at Martinsville before," Harvick said. "Right now, it's really just trying to get to Martinsville, and we have accomplished that. Now, we have to figure out how we can get the best finish that we can, really, out of each race track." 

Ryan Newman explained the challenge of Martinsville and the need to perform.

"If you are spending too much time looking in the mirror and can't get in the corner, you are going to have a nightmare of a day," Newman said. "Looking at where this race lands in the Chase, all of the races are equally important when you do the math."

Matt Kenseth hasn't had a win all season, but he is still optimistic.

"I really feel the most confident heading into this weekend," Kenseth said. "It is a track, however, that you can have a lot of trouble and where things can go wrong, so hopefully, we can get a solid run in on Sunday." 

Jeff Gordon nearly missed the Chase cut at Talladega, but he has had eight wins at Martinsville and is confident.

"As far as Chase tracks, Martinsville stands out for us," Gordon said. "It's a strong track for this Drive to End Hunger team, and it's a track where we've had great success over the years."

Brad Keselowski and his team carry the momentum of an essential Talladega win they secured last Sunday.

"We're to the point now where the law of averages is on our side," Keselowski said. "That and the team—our confidence in our ability to work hard, to execute, to count on each other—we're in a special place."

Fans without tickets can catch the intensity on ESPN Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Credit: Dwight Drum

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.