#Podcast is up. Listen to Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch talk the Chase, the favorites and their approach.

# A lot of people are likely to pick Jimmie Johnson to win the Chase now that he's won the past two races (just like he did last year). While there's questions about Kyle Busch on the short flat tracks, it's hard to discount him or Carl Edwards. Keep an eye on Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin, who seem to be surging now. Other than that, it's hard to think of anyone else realistically challenging those guys. Truth is, it probably would be a big step for Hamlin's team to win this. Harvick still needs some more speed at the big tracks to lead laps even though he's done well there. Unless something wild happens, this might be like last year and be a two-man show.

# Denny Hamlin ripped his team after Michigan, saying maybe they didn't belong in the Chase. He's ripped off three consecutive third-place finishes. Hmm. Tony Stewart ripped his crew after the race, leading crew chief Greg Zipadelli to jump on the radio and yell "enough of that (crud).'' We'll have to see if they have the same results as their teammate, Hamlin. Jimmie Johson entered the pits second to Stewart on the last stop and beat him out. That was key in Johnson holding off Stewart's charge late to win.

# Tony Stewart is winless in his last 40 races, a career long. He's finished second five times during that span and placed third two other times. If he doesn't win this year, one has to wonder if he'll win next year with his team even with all the people he's believed to be bringing over to the group. Red Bull GM Jay Frye was noncommittal on his plans although a report states that he's been offered a contract by Stewart Haas Racing for a management position there.

# Jeff Gordon's inconsistency makes it hard to believe he'll contend for a top five spot in the Chase, let alone win the thing. He talked at length Friday about his struggles and how he and his team haven't figured out the bump stops so far. He remains a candidate to win at Martinsville. Wouldn't it be something if he and Stewart had not yet won by that race in October. If so, I'd say that would be the best chance for either to win and if not, they might go winless.

# Did Dale Jr. punt Kyle Busch on purpose? Earnhardt admits it was "ironic'' but later said "If I wreck somebody, I ain't going to leave him in good enough shape to come back and get me in teh same race.'' Maybe so, but one wonders if Busch considers it payback (Busch said he didn't know if it was intentional). To recap: Busch spun Dale Jr. late in the race here in May as they battled for first. Sunday, Dale Jr. got into the back of Busch, spinning him as Busch led with about 150 laps to go. Busch finished 15th. Dale Jr. placed fourth.

# Does the Chase need to be changed? Maybe. This is the second year in a row no one changed spots in this last race before the Chase begins. That means twice in the five years there's been no change (that's 40 percent).  That might be enough to get NASCAR to look into trying to tigthen the field so there's some action at this race. Granted, David Ragan enetered 17 points from Clint Bowyer -- an easy enough number to make up but realistically you had to figure Ragan truly had an outside chance. Bowyer won here in May and although Ragan finished third in this race a year ago, he's not known as much for his short-track racing.

# With Kasey Kahne missing the Chase, there are no Dodges contending for the crown. Then again, no Dodge has really contended for the title even when they've made the Chase. Would you really want to be in a Dodge? The brand and its teams really haven't shown a lot. Yes there was that Daytona finish and Kasey Kahne was strong for about three weeks and that's about it. This will be a critical stretch for Dodge teams for next year. The perception some have of Ganassi is that it's imploding with the recent changes there (let's really see what shakes out). Penske has shown nothing for much of the year even after winning the Daytona 500. Gillett Evernham Motorsports has two wins by Kahne (and the all-star victory) but nothing that impressive since. Petty Enterprises has had its struggles. Where's the dynamic leadership that help Dodge lead these teams forward or the dynamic leadership from the teams themselves to lift themselves up?

# Chevrolet won't renew its contract with Martinsville Speedway after this season. Was told Chevy is not renewing with five tracks this season. Bristol and New Hampshire are two others that have confirmed Chevy won't be back with them next year. Chevy, though, will remain sponsor of the Richmond fall race next year.

# Red Bull still has not decided on AJ Allmendinger's fate with Scott Speed in the wing. Jay Frye talked with upper management this week and discussed several options from keeping Allmendinger to letthing him go. Speed is set to make his Cup debut at Charlotte in October.

# Race wasn't a sellout. NASCAR had the crowd estimate at 110,000 -- about 2,000 short of capacity. This ends Richmond's streak of 33 consecutive sellouts.

# Here's what the reset points look like for the Chase:

1. Kyle Busch ... 5,080 points

2. Carl Edwards ... 5,050

3. Jimmie Johnson ... 5,040

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ... 5,010

    Clint Bowyer ... 5,010

     Denny Hamlin ... 5,010

     Jeff Burton ... 5,010

8. Tony Stewart ... 5,000

     Greg Biffle ... 5,000

     Jeff Gordon ... 5,000

     Kevin Harvick ... 5,000

     Matt Kenseth ... 5,000

Series heads to New Hamsphire this weekend where Kurt Busch won the rain-shortened event this summer and Clint Bowyer won the fall race last year.

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