Provided Hanna doesn't wreak too much havoc tomorrow, the final race before the Chase will take place this Saturday evening in Richmond, Virginia.

Before the new car lurched onto the scene Richmond was guaranteed action plus, short enough for short track madness yet at three-quarters of a mike long enough to allow breathing room.  Unfortunately, until such time as either teams figure out how to make the new car competitive under the rules or NASCAR lightens up on same this will be just another boring parade.  As if we haven't had enough of those this year.

While who will manage to climb the lowest rungs of the top twelve and scrape their way into the Chase offers some interest, the brutal truth is it's difficult to care.  The three drivers in genuine contention for the title are Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson.  Everyone else is in the Happy To Be Here Club.  A season where Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart are all present yet invisible is an instant turn-off for the majority of fans.  Ah well.

Enjoy the weekend anyway, and if you're on the east coast stay safe.

Darian Grubb never really loved being a crew chief during his two short stints atop the pit box at Hendrick Motorsports.