NASCAR At Michigan International Speedway: 2011 Chase Picture Becoming Clearer

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the Irish Hills of Michigan for the second time this season with only four races left before the 12-driver Chase field is set. Monday’s race at Watkins Glen mixed things up a bit in the standings, but heading to Michigan International Speedway, the Chase contenders are starting to fall in line.

This weekend is traditionally the time when Chase drivers begin to lock themselves in, as Kevin Harvick did last year by going to Victory Lane. This season, four drivers could leave Michigan with a 145-point advantage over 11^th and lock themselves into the Chase: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Harvick.

If Busch or Harvick are able to score the win this weekend, they will also lock themselves in the Chase by having four wins on the season and securing the wild card spot - if an unlikely fall down the standings occurs before the start of the Chase.

While the Chase field is starting to come together, the two wild card spots are still very much up for grabs.

Thanks to Brad Keselowski’s impressive win at Pocono Raceway, he holds the first wild card spot with two wins. Another strong run Monday at Watkins Glen proved his victory was no fluke, and this team is riding high on momentum.

Despite his scary wreck at Watkins Glen, Denny Hamlin was able to hold on to the second wild card spot, heading to a track he has two victories at. Hamlin leads Paul Menard, who also has a victory, by 27 points.

Marcos Ambrose joined the wild card talk following his win at Watkins Glen, but like David Ragan - who won at Daytona in July - he needs climb into the top-20 in the standings to be considered for the wild card. Both Ambrose and Ragan would realistically need another win to become serious contenders for the wild card spot.

Expect fuel mileage and pit strategy to come into play during Sunday’s race as those looking for a win gamble to find Victory Lane and keep their Chase hopes alive.

As the season approaches that final 10-race stretch, the battle for the wild card spot is sure to heat up as the series heads to Michigan, then to Bristol, Atlanta and finally Richmond. The top-10 drivers may be working on preparing for the Chase and locking themselves in mathematically, but the fight for those final two spots will come down to the wire for sure.