This Week in Auto Racing Aug. 17-19

By Chris Symeon, Motorsports Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - All three of NASCAR's national touring series are in action this weekend. Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck compete at Michigan International Speedway, while Nationwide runs its final road- course event of the season at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

NASCAR

Sprint Cup Series

Pure Michigan 400 - Michigan International Speedway - Brooklyn, Mich.

The battle for the wild card spots in the Chase for the Sprint Cup title is getting more intense with the regular season fast approaching its conclusion.

With four races remaining before the Chase cut-off, seven drivers are duking it out for the two wild card positions in the playoffs. Marcos Ambrose added his name in the mix after winning last Sunday's road-course event in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Kasey Kahne currently holds the top spot in the wild card rankings by virtue of his two wins this season. Ryan Newman finished 11th at Watkins Glen and moved up to the second wild card position, while Jeff Gordon fell from second to fourth after his 21st-place run there. Kyle Busch is third in the rankings. Ambrose is fifth and Joey Logano sixth.

Newman, Busch, Gordon, Ambrose and Logano have one victory each. All of those drivers are presently outside the top-10 in points.

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