Open Race Thread: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan Pure 400 | Michigan International Raceway

Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock

That’s the sound of time running out for several superstar drivers attempting to make the twelve-team Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin and Greg Biffle have each made the playoffs in previous seasons but are on the outside looking in, and winless, thus far in 2011.

With just four races until the Richmond-Chase Cutoff, they are chasing Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the final two provisional Chase spots.

Earnhardt may have even raced himself into safe territory with a gutsy 15^th-place performance at Watkins Glen, placing himself 36 points ahead of 11^th place Denny Hamlin.

Stewart, 25 points ahead of 11^th, is still at risk, especially after a late-race accident dropped him to 30^th in the final running order. Smoke has to join his teammate Ryan Newman in the winner’s circle or risk drawing the short stick at the conclusion of Richmond.

Denny Hamlin is another driver starting to lose a handle on his provisional Chase spot.

Sitting 12^th, with just one victory (at Michigan), Hamlin is in dangerous territory. His one win is less than Brad Keselowski’s two and has just 33 more points than 15^th place Paul Menards, who also has one win. That could be the battle for the final Chase spot going into Richmond.

But today is all about Michigan.

A starting lineup can be found on the other side, just above the comments section.

See you there!