The new format for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, introduced this year, has created an almost entirely unique situation for racing: a genuine playoff. There are four eliminations each after the third and sixth races, and second-to-last race at Phoenix; whomever is left for the last four, and finishes best during the year’s final race at Homestead, will be crowned champion. All of these cuts have to start somewhere, of course, and luckily for the lovely state of Delaware, this Sunday’s AAA 400 at the Dover International Speedway is that place.
NASCAR Dover 2014: Start time, TV schedule for AAA 400
The revamped Chase format reaches the end of its first leg in Delaware at the Dover International Speedway for the AAA 400, with 10 spots in the next round on the line and 14 drivers trying to fill them.
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There are 14 drivers in the Chase who have not yet punched their tickets for what's being called the "Challenger" round -- Penske racing teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano have clinched by virtue of winning the first two races. While the top seven would, according to the Associated Press, "need a ton of bad luck to fall out," it still leaves Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, AJ Allmendinger, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman with room to worry. Newman in particular has other drivers breathing down his neck, with Denny Hamlin (who qualified third) and Kurt Busch (who qualified 22nd) close enough to grab the 12th and final spot with a strong showing.
Given that the stakes have literally never been higher, fans in Dover will likely be watching a race unlike anything we’ve ever see before.
Pre-race coverage begins at 1 p.m ET on NASCAR Countdown featuring Nicole Briscoe, Brad Daugherty and Rusty Wallace. Live race coverage will begin at 2 p.m. with Allen Bestwick, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree in the booth. The green flag is tentatively scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
In addition to the television coverage, viewers with a subscription to RaceView will be able to follow the race online. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90 will provide radio coverage.
AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway coverage (all times Eastern):
TV: ESPN -- 1 p.m.
Green flag: Approximately 2:15 p.m.
Online: NASCAR.com RaceView (subscription required)
Radio: Motor Racing Network -- SiriusXM channel 90
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