1. Ryan Blaney
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| Photo Credit: Rob Street Rob Street Racing Photography |
Ryan Blaney hasn't really shocked the world when it comes to his rookie season. Some successful parts here and there but his consistency hasn't been enough to really solidify him as a Chase contender especially the closer and closer we have gotten to where we are today. This weekend Blaney is in a must win situation unlike his fellow Rookie Of The Year Contenders Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher. The odds of Ryan Blaney winning tomorrow night isn't the highest it's been this season but the possibility is there every weekend and the skill is also there. Blaney finished 28th at Richmond in April, He also has an average finish of 7th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series there. Ryan is definitely one who could put all of his eggs in one basket this weekend but I am not putting much expectations in it. If Ryan Blaney misses the Chase it surely wouldn't mark the season as a failure being the first full time season of the Wood Brothers since 2008 and Ryan's first full time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Also Talladega is coming and Ryan has had much success there in the past few seasons with it being the scene of his best career finish.
2. Aric Almirola
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| Photo Credit: Rob Street Rob Street Racing Phototgraphy |
This is the guy who I think has the best shot of any of these drivers to win the Federated Auto Parts 400 tomorrow night at Richmond International Raceway based on his performance in last season's Last Race until the Chase and how The Richard Petty Motorsports driver almost sneaked in and took a shot. Last weekend's wreck at Darlington really didn't help his points but at this points is all or nothing. You have to take risks and you have to put all of your chips on the table. Aric has that attitude to him and has certainly shown it in the past. True Aric hasn't had his best season as of late but things can change in this sport in the blink of an eye and if luck jumped on Almirola's shoulders after a win tomorrow night we could see Almirola make a run for his first championship in NASCAR. Many will think I am insane and I will just tell you to look at how close he came last season.
3. Casey Mears
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4. Trevor Bayne
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| Sean Gardner/Getty Images North America |
Trevor Bayne has been one of those Unspoken-Heroes this season and has really had a consistent year despite some speed bumps in between. The Knoxville, TN native is in a must win situation this weekend and could be the one to surprise a lot of people. Trevor has raced at Richmond three times over his career with a best finish of 17th coming earlier this year in April. He has an average finish of 21st but could put all of his cards on the table and go all in to make that last run for the chase. His teammates Greg Biffle and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are in the must win situation also but as we have learned, only one can walk out with a victory in his hands. Trevor has about the best chance.
5. Clint Bowyer
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Bowyer has two pasts at Richmond. One he'd like to forget forever and another he'd like to see relived this weekend. Two victories to his name, Bowyer hopes to make #3 this weekend while he looks to leave a lasting impression on HScott Motorsports as we know it's leaving one on Clint. It would be good to see something go right with Bowyer for once because Bowyer is one of the good guys in the Garage but his odds of moving on to the chase isn't that high on out scales. The only thing that makes me think a chance is there is the fact that Richmond is tied for where he has his most wins (New Hampshire the other).
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