2014 NASCAR standings: Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart on wrong side of Chase bubble

The field for the Chase for the Sprint Cup added an additional member with Aric Almirola taking the victory Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

The win was the first of Almirola’s career, and it places him and Richard Petty Motorsports in the Chase for the first time.

“To be in the Chase and to be able to go race for a championship, it is really special,” Almirola said. “Our race team deserves that.”

Almirola is the 11th different driver to win a Sprint Cup race in 2014. The others: Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch.

Each of these 11 drivers are virtually assured of entry into the Chase provided they are ranked better than 30th in the series standings and attempt to qualify for the remaining eight regular season races.

The balance of the 16-driver playoff field will then be filled out using points. As of now, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, Clint Bowyer and Austin Dillon are in, though each is in a precarious position and at the mercy of a non-winner replicating Almirola’s feat at Daytona.

Among those who still have work to do to make the Chase -- either by winning or by an accumulation of points -- are Greg Biffle (15th in the standings), Brian Vickers (16th), Kasey Kahne (18th), Tony Stewart (20th) and Jamie McMurray (22nd). Each of whom were victorious last year, but winless in 2014.

“Obviously, the fewer spots there are, the intensity picks up for the guys in that position,” said Vickers, who finished in second on Sunday. “The closer to the Chase you get, the more that intensity is going to pick up. Our job is to go out there and try to win next weekend.”

The next race is the Camping World RV Sales 301 Sunday (1:15 p.m. ET) at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.