3 races remain in the Race to the Chase.  2 drivers have clinched their spot in the Chase, and 3 others could do it this weekend.  Some drivers desperately need a good finish, and a win would be even better.  Who's hot and who's not heading into Thunder Valley?  Here's this week's rankings:

NEW THIS WEEK: Travis Kvapil
DROPPED OUT: Ryan Newman
BIGGEST DROP: Jeff Gordon & Kasey Kahne
BIGGEST GAIN: David Ragan

20. Travis Kvapil (Previously NR): Kvapil had another top-15 finish in Michigan moving him back into the rankings.  It's been a seesaw year for Travis, but can a brother PUH-LEEZ get a permanent sponsor?

19. A.J. Allmendinger (-5): Allmendinger's string of good runs came to an end with a 28th.  He was high enough up the rankings that he didn't go crashing out of them like Newman, but he's on a thin rope if he wants to stay in the rankings next week!

18. Juan Pablo Montoya (-3): Montoya's day was just as bad at the 12 and the 84.  Someone forgot to tell Juan to add more life to his car...take it to that big star on your hood!

17. Jeff Gordon (-8): Gordon finished 42nd, his 2nd worst finish of the year.  Now he's less than 100 points away from missing the Chase.  This week on The Outer Limits, don't miss the thrilling episode "The Disappearance of the #24's Consistency."

16. Denny Hamlin (-6): This week's FedEx question from one of Denny's fans asks "Did you blow up your engine so you wouldn't have to put it on the chassis dyno?"

15. Kasey Kahne (-8): Engine, engine #9, coming down....pit road trailing a cloud of smoke.  The Allstate Girls didn't help matters when all they could say to Kasey in the garage area was "I'm super sorry about your engine."

14. Martin Truex Jr. (+2): I know a 16th isn't anything to write home about, but 3 kablooeys by guys teeter-tottering on the bubble of the Chase will get you a couple extra spots even though you didn't have the best day.

13. Jamie McMurray (+4): Jamie Mac completed the Roushketeer parade with a 10th place finish.  The House of Roush held true to form, can Jamie get 2 top 10s in a row?  NAH, can he?

12. Brian Vickers (+7): Vickers needed a good race after a few dismal performances recently.  Starting on the pole, leading some laps, and ending the day with a solid top-10 was just what the doctor ordered.  He's still over 161 out of the Chase, but keep it up and that sleeper pick of mine may be right after all for the 83 team.

11. David Ragan (+9): Ragan was my dark horse in the race previews, and almost won the damn thing!  AAA promises to ensure all postrace damage caused by excessive celebration for a first career victory.

10. Clint Bowyer (+3): Again a 20th isn't great, but see Truex up above.  Clint kept his car in one piece and at least finished the race, which is more than we can say for the FedEx Dodge of the Rainbow Warriors.

9. Greg Biffle (+3): The Biff was one of 4 Roushketeers to finish in the top 5.  Can a brother get a win before the Chase though?

8. Matt Kenseth (+3): Kenseth never led a lap, but finished 5th...now that's the Matt Kenseth I know.  Uhh, Matt, this week try finishing a few spots higher, like uhh...first maybe?  You might have a lot more breathing room heading into California if you do.

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-2): The 88 looked to have a chance to sweep the season at Michigan, until he did a little more than just kiss the wall.  If you do that this week though nobody will know the difference.  You'll look just like everyone else on the track.

6. Jeff Burton (+1): Burton needed a good run, and I guess 11th is par for him, considering he started his usual 28th.  When is this boy going to learn that to win a race you're going to need to win more than one race per year?!

5. Kevin Harvick (+1): Happy got another top 10 and moved up 3 spots, only problem is he's still only 103 points ahead of his teammate in 13th.  That means there's not time to play around.  You said it yourself, Kevin.  "If you have to be racing into the Chase after 26 races, you don't deserve to be there anyway."

4. Jimmie Johnson (-2): He still finished on the lead lap after all the problems he had over the course of the day...unfortunately this won't move you up in the rankings when the 3 guys now in front of you in the rankings all finished AHEAD of you!

3. Tony Stewart: A 12th place finish probably wasn't what Smoke was looking for in Michigan, but look on the bright side, Tony, you can't fall out of the Chase this week at Bristol!  That means you have room to screw up...err, no you don't.

2. Kyle Busch (+3): Shrub finished 2nd, and vaults (almost) back to the top of the standings.  Maybe he could've won if there was a GWC...then again Ragan could've shocked the hell out of everybody in OT too.

1. Carl Edwards: He's still over 200 points behind Kyle Busch, but he also beat Kyle Busch for his 5th win of the season.  So what gave Cousin Carl the advantage?  Was it the Vitamin Water or that damn Aflac duck?  I guess we'll never know.

Some drivers are really sweating it out this week.  Others are in cruise control.  Keep it right here at The Blitzburgh Pit Stop for NASCAR news on the Q!

BK over and out