HAMPTON, Ga. — Juan Pablo Montoya climbed out of his car after his third-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday night and immediately began his search.

He was in a rush to find an updated list of the Sprint Cup points leaders heading into the race in Richmond on Saturday night.

Montoya quickly found the standings, and the news was good: He had moved up one spot from ninth to eighth.

But one look wasn't enough.

Back in the media interview room, Montoya walked straight to a computer for another look at the standings. When his interview session was over, he went back to check the names and numbers again.

It's crunch time and it's clear by watching Montoya that the real NASCAR racing to watch this weekend will be the battle for the final spots in the group of 12 drivers who will qualify for the Chase for the championship.

Montoya had good reason to check and recheck the standings. With one race remaining before the field is set for NASCAR's postseason, only 122 points separate fifth-place Carl Edwards (3,162) and 14th-place Kyle Busch (3,040).

Only four drivers have clinched spots: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin.

Montoya has 3,145 points, and is only 88 points ahead of Brian Vickers, who is 13th with 3,057 points.