Matt Kenseth has firmly planted himself in the Chase to the Sprint Cup with his third win of the season -- in the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday -- and only five of the 16 spots remain.
Kenseth led for 146 of the race's 200 laps and sits at third place in the Chase Grid standings with three victories, 751 points and nine top-5 finishes. With the Chase for the Cup officially beginning on Sept. 20 at Chicagoland Speedway, the standings are getting tighter with each passing week.
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Eleven slots are taken up as Jimmie Johnson (four wins, 752 points) and Kyle Busch (four wins, 395 points) occupy the only two slots higher than Kenseth following Sunday's race. Carl Edwards (one win, 628 points) occupies the 11th and final qualifying spot.
Here's a look at five drivers who could make a run toward the Chase to the Sprint Cup.
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1) Jamie McMurray
The Mississippi-born driver hasn't won since the 2013 Camping World RV Sales 500 in Talladega, but he currently finds himself in the 12th spot in the standings following a 16th-place finish on Sunday. McMurray has 663 points, two top-5 finishes and has placed in the top-10 on seven different occasions.
2) Paul Menard
Menard finished 27th in the field during the Pure Michigan 400, but he still has high hopes of qualifying for the Chase. The 2011 Brickyard 400 winner currently sits at 13th in the standings with 654 points, two top-5 finishes and four top-10 finishes.
3) Austin Dillon
The 2010 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year finished fourth in Sunday's race and currently occupies 20th place. Dillon started fourth and led for 19 laps at the Pure Michigan 400 and has one top-5 and four top-10 finishes.
4) Ryan Newman
The 2013 Brickyard 400 winner has plenty of experience in big races, having competed in 499 competitions in the last 16 years. Newman, who placed eighth in Sunday's race, finds himself in 14th place in the Chase Grid standings with 649 points, four top-5 placements and 11 top-10 finishes.
5) Jeff Gordon
The racing legend has many accolades on an already impressive résumé, but he hasn't won since the 2014 AAA 400 in Dover, Del., and placed 17th at the Pure Michigan 400. Gordon has three top-5 finishes and 12 top-10, while he also has raced his way to 648 points this season.
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