Chase Preview - New Hampshire

This weekend's race at New Hampshire will be the second of the Challenger round. Currently Ryan Newman, AJ Allmendinger , Greg Biffle, and Aric Almirola find themselves outside of the top 12 and in danger of being cut after the Contender round wraps up in Dover. However, that doesn't make it do or die for these drivers on Sunday. There are still two races left and a lot can happen. Drivers like Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch find themselves on the edge and are holding on by less than ten points. In other words, ten positions on the racetrack. While a win would solve all immediate problems  it isn't worth risking it all this weekend.

For the top contenders in the chase life is good. Brad Keselowski got up on the wheel last Sunday and punched his ticket to the next round. Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, and Dale Jr. can be relativity comfortable going into Dover next Sunday with a solid run in New Hampshire. Look for these drivers to take what the car will give them and stay out of trouble.

Look for a cautious second race of the chase. The top twelve in points will be looking to keep what they have while positions 13-16 will be doing everything they can to stay in a position to capitalize if anything happens those top twelve drivers. Staying on the lead lap, not making mistakes on pit road, and taking care of fuel mileage will all be important factors before the checkered flag drops in the Granite State. It is too early to "throw all caution to the wind" just yet in this high speed game of chess.

Tune in at 2 PM EST on Sunday to ESPN or your local PRN affiliate. Below are the chase standings:

Driver	Behind
Brad Keselowski	-
Jeff Gordon	-7
Joey Logano	-10
Kevin Harvick	-12
Dale Earnhardt Jr.	-17
Denny Hamlin	-18
Kyle Busch	-18
Jimmie Johnson	-18
Kurt Busch	-20
Matt Kenseth	-25
Kasey Kahne	-25
Carl Edwards	-29
Ryan Newman	-30
AJ Allmendinger	-34
Greg Biffle	-38
Aric Almirola	-52