Champ or Chaser: The Chase for the Sprint Cup (Dover)

The concrete canyons of Dover International Speedway play host the second race in "the Chase." Widely considered to be a larger Bristol, this track has the habit of taking innocent victims (just look at the 10-car pileup there was back in the June race).

Last week, Kyle Busch, the season’s dominant driver, was the first of the Chase drivers to hit problems. A broken sway bar bolt caused him to spin, and the subsequent contact with Jaime McMurrary saw him finish 34th. However, as luck would have it, he only sits 74 points out of the lead, well within striking distance if he can rebound well in Dover.

Matt Kenseth, however, was not so lucky. His late-race crash saw him finish 40th. His allowance of one bad race has been used (unlike Busch, who might still be able to get away with one more poor performance, though he surely doesn’t want to have another one). Kenseth will need a ton of help to even have a glimpse of this year’s title.

Race No. 2 is here: Jeff Gordon is on pole and hoping to get his first win of the year. However, anything can and often does happen on Delaware’s concrete paradise (or hell, depending on who you ask). Here are the top five drivers heading into Sunday’s Camping World RV 400.

1. Carl Edwards

Six wins to Jimmie Johnson’s four gives Edwards the lead momentarily. A second back in June and a win in this last year bodes well for Roush’s biggest dog in this year’s fight (although Greg Biffle may have something to say about that at some point).

Busch’s troubles last week have given Edwards an opportunity to stretch his lead over the thought-to-be-favorite. However, we all know how quickly things can go wrong in the final 10 races, so Edwards can’t take any unnecessary or stupid chances.

He’s a smart racer, so he should be in good shape in that regard. But, he’ll need all of his smarts on Sunday, as he’ll start way back in 22nd. He’s hoping the Monster Mile won’t bite him.

2. Jimmie Johnson

He will join Edwards back in the middle of the pack, as he will have to start in 20th. Funny how the top two in the points can find themselves meddled so far back, and in a trouble spot, especially in the early laps. However, he also runs well at Dover, so he’ll have that in his corner.

Remember, Johnson swept the races here as a rookie in 2002 and won here again in the fall of ’05. A top 10 back in June means he should be competitive on Sunday...if he can survive the early laps. He’ll have to be very careful as he works his way through.

3. Greg Biffle

And we may officially have this year’s dark horse—Biffle and No. 16 have been solid this year (although they struggled with inconsistency at times), but just couldn’t break through and win. They did just that last Sunday, and propelled themselves to third in the championship.

That climb in the standings now makes him a true threat in the title chase, as he sits only 30 points adrift of the lead. Plus, he probably should have won the June race in Dover, meaning he could very well go back-to-back to start the Chase.

All things say he’ll be a contender through the final 10, so don’t be surprised if does as Kurt Busch did in 2004: steal the title of guys who “should have won it.”

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I know people made a big deal about how he and Tony Eury Jr. talk on the radio. But, remember, they have always been better when together than when apart.

The Jr. tandem ran well at New Hampshire and looked to have the best car in the middle of the race, but couldn’t keep the handle on the car enough. That will be a problem that needs fixing for them to win a championship; you’ve got to keep up with a changing track and conditions. This team has the talent, but that one area needs to be tightened.

5. Jeff Burton

Burton always has a habit of quietly lurking in the background. He’s rarely at the fore much, but he’s always nearly there, biding his time. He’s been consistent this year, and has been the best of Richard Childress Racing's trio this year.

Can he actually win a championship? That one is a mystery. He’ll need a win to help his cause, but the consistency and talent to do so has always been there. Watch out for Burton.