With only one more race until the Chase for the Sprint Cup, drivers are racing to get a wild card spot. Veteran drivers like Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards need a win and some luck to make it. Kyle Busch is solid at Richmond, so his chances of getting in look good. And so is Denny Hamlin, who seems to be the hot driver lately going into the Chase. Like any other sport, it doesn't matter how weak you are throughout the regular season, as long as you're hot in the playoffs when it counts.

Matt Kenseth is officially driving for Joe Gibbs and the number 20 car next year: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...e-gibbs-racing

Matt is one of the most respectable drivers in the Cup, but I'm not a fan of the previous drivers of the 20. So it's going to be a little weird seeing him in the car. Plus he's going to lose his always-solid pit crew. Ricky Stenhouse, who's competing to win the Nationwide series, has already been announced as Kenseth's replacement.

Martin Truex signed an extension with Michael Waltrip racing: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...waltrip-racing

Another guy I have a good bit of respect for. I'd say he's earned it this year.

Joey Logano is a likely candidate to drive the 22 car next year. Sam Hornish has been driving it since AJ Allmendinger was suspended. http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ke-racing-2013

I'm worried about where Hornish will go. He's also one in the running for the Nationwide cup, and I'd say he's earned a place somewhere in the Sprint Cup.

Thoughts on the Chase? I'm rooting for Truex or Kenseth, but I think realistically, neither will win. As I sad, Hamlin is the hot driver right now. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Greg Biffle are obvious favorites, sitting atop the current leaderboard. I don't think anyone has been as consistent as Jr. this year, and I wouldn't feel bad putting my money on him.