As the Nextel Cup series heads to Richmond this weekend, the drama to make this year's Chase for the Championship is over for all but a select few. Eight of 12 spots are already clinched, and two more need merely to start their engines in order to punch their own playoff ticket. Those men --
Martin Truex Jr. and
Clint Bowyer -- will each be making history with the accomplishment, snagging their first Chase appearances in just their second seasons driving at NASCAR's top level.
SI.com - Writers - Tom Bowles: Truex, Bowyer grow up faster than expected* - Tuesday September 4, 2007 2:26PM