CONCORD, N.C. – The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is on the line Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.
Win and you’re in. That’s the mantra for drivers not yet locked into NASCAR’s postseason – including Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne.
“The plan is to try to get the win Saturday night or get the best possible finish and not think about the points,” Gordon said. “I’m sure (No. 24 crew chief) Alan (Gustafson) will keep an eye on it and let me know toward the end of the race if it’s close.”
Even absent a trip to Victory Lane, both Gordon and Kahne are among the seven drivers that could clinch a spot in the 16-driver Chase field without a win.
For Gordon, the path is clearer. Currently holding the 14th seed in the Chase Grid, if Gordon finishes 17th or better on Saturday night, it will guarantee the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet SS a place in the playoffs.
The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has finished inside the top 11 in his last six starts at the Virginia track, including three runner-up finishes.
“We’ve gone into and through Richmond with a lot on the line before, so we have experience dealing with the stress if we have to deal with it again,” he said.
He is one of four drivers that control their own destiny even without earning a win at Richmond.
Kahne, who trails 16th seed Clint Bowyer by 31 points, will need help in the form of poor finishes from winless drivers ahead of him in the points, and/or a repeat winner if he doesn’t make his way to Victory Lane. Joining him in that category are Bowyer and Aric Almirola.
“It is definitely amped up for certain teams and drivers a little more than usual at that place,” Kahne said. “There will be a group of guys that can make it or can’t depending on how that goes -- and a lot of guys who can win and make it in. So there is definitely some pressure there. It will be a lot of great racing.”
Kahne’s sixth-place finish at Richmond earlier this season has given the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet SS confidence that he can run well at the short track and let the chips fall where they may.
“My first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory came at Richmond, so I always look forward to going back,” he said. “It is the ideal short track -- wide, fast, smooth, very competitive and there's plenty of room to set up the pass. We ran really well in the spring at Richmond. I think we can come back with that setup and run well.”