CONCORD, N.C. -- Last Sunday's results at New Hampshire Motor Speedway saw two Hendrick Motorsports drivers in the top 10.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s fifth-place finish essentially clinched his spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS has multiple wins and a top-30 standing secure. Now, the only task between him in the Chase is starting the remaining seven races on the regular-season schedule.
Jeff Gordon's ninth-place result, meanwhile, moved him to within one point of tying Jamie McMurray for the most points for a driver without a win.
Jimmie Johnson's result on Sunday wasn't as fortunate, but the 22nd-place finish still earned enough points to lock him in to the top 30 in the standings. With his four wins, he is also all but locked in to the Chase, needing only to start the final seven races of the regular season to officially clinch.
A glance at the updated Chase grid shows Johnson in first place with Earnhardt in third.
Gordon and Kasey Kahne are currently seeded 12th and 13th, respectively, with Gordon just one point away and Kahne 36 away from tying McMurray for 11th.
The biggest shakeups from last week's Chase grid come in spots 14, 15 and 16.