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With only five races to go until the Chase for the Sprint Cup, it is a good time to evaluate the drivers who can battle their way into twelve man field, or who can give up their place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series post season. As long as they have consistent runs in the next five races, the drivers who are currently in the top six in the standings are virtually locked into the Chase, while the bottom six can still lose their spot. There are even some potential surprises that can happen before the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Who's in, but on the bubble?

•  Kasey Kahne has returned to his former self after a disappoint 2007 season. Despite having three victories already this season, Kahne has also had some poor runs, leading many to wonder if his inconsistencies will come back to hurt him. Although he has had some trouble, Kahne is a solid Chase contender, and a few more good runs can lock him into the show.

• Greg Biffle began the 2008 season looking like a true Chase contender, but as the season has dragged on, he has gone from battling for the victory to an "also ran". Without strong runs in the next five races, Biffle can very well lose his spot in the Chase. The only thing that can be a saving grace for him is the fact that the next five races will be at tracks where has has traditionally done well.

• Tony Stewart has had one of the worst seasons of his stock car career in 2008. Constantly being the victim of someone else's mistake, or simply the victim of bad luck, Stewart has surprisingly made his way to ninth in the standings. Now with his future secured, Stewart can focus his attention on winning races and competing for a third Sprint Cup Championship. He must beware of bad luck or bad drivers, however.

• Denny Hamlin is another driver who has not had the season he would have liked, yet has run consistent enough to sit tenth in the standings. With only 46 points separating him from thirteenth place Matt Kenseth, Hamlin must improve his performance in the next five races to guarantee himself a spot in the Chase. Otherwise, Hamlin will be relegated to watching his teammates compete for a championship.

• 2008 has simply not been Kevin Harvick's season. With only eight top 10 finishes this season, Harvick needs to step up his performance as he battles for a spot in the Chase. The thing that makes it  most difficult for Harvick is the fact that he is battling his teammate, Clint Bowyer for the final spot in the Chase. Harvick needs to have top 10 runs in the next five races so that he can be sure of making the Chase

• Like his teammate, Clint Bowyer has not had a very successful 2008 season, despite capturing a victory in Richmond. With only eleven points separating him and thirteenth place, Bowyer needs to "go big or go home". Unfortunately for Bowyer, things are not looking nearly as good as last season. Perhaps his run for the Nationwide Series championship has distracted him from the big picture.

Who's on the outside looking in?

•  In the first ten races of the season, Matt Kenseth did not appear like he was going to be a contender for the Championship. In May, Kenseth completely turned around his performance, logging only three finishes outside of the top 10, including an eleventh place finish in Pocono last Sunday. If he continues his streak, Kenseth is sure to be in the Chase in six weeks.

• David Ragan has had one of the most successful sophomore seasons in recent history. Despite being 46 points out of twelfth place, Ragan has the potential and the team to battle for the final spot in the Chase. Most people agree that Ragan is the next first time winner, and its not a matter of if he will win, but more a matter of when. Look for Ragan to be strong in the next five races.

• Ryan Newman began the season with a victory in the Daytona 500. Ever since that win, Newman has been on an uphill battle as he tries to have consistent finishes. Newman felt the reason he is performing so poorly is because of his race team, and decided to leave at the end of this season. With that kind of attitude, it is not likely that Newman can make the Chase in 2008.

• Brian Vickers had the opportunity to make the Chase in only his second season with Team Red Bull. Despite having solid runs all season, Vickers and his team are simply not at the point where they can compete for a championship. Though he is still mathematically eligible, Vickers should concentrate on getting his first victory for the team instead of racing his way into the top twelve.

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