Author: Mike Hembree
Date: Sept. 22, 2014
LOUDON, N.H. — The Chase for the Sprint Cup rolls into Dover, Del. next weekend for Race 3 and the end of the first playoff round. Four of the 16 Chase drivers will be eliminated after Sunday's race — or, in other words, they'll be "over in Dover".
There are three elimination rounds in the 10-race playoff, consisting of three races each. After races three, six and nine, four drivers will be eliminated from contention. The final four will race for the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 16.
The top seven drivers appear to be safe for a trip into the second round, but only 12 points separate positions eight through 16 entering the third Chase race.
USA TODAY Sports' Mike Hembree highlights four drivers in good standing after the second Chase race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Chevrolet
Harvick has had an excellent car in both Chase races, although he has fallen short of victory lane. A third-place run Sunday leaves him third in points (behind the Penske drivers) and in fine shape approaching the second-round cutoff.
Comment: "The first two weeks have gone really well. It was important for us to get off to a good start to make sure we weren't scrambling after week one."
Up next: Harvick is winless at Dover but has 12 top 10s in 27 races. Another one easily slides him into the second round.
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