Three drivers clinch Chase spots at Bristol

Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all punched their ticket to this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup championship Saturday night in Bristol.

Johnson's second place finish behind Denny Hamlin in the IRWIN Tools Night Race sewed up his ninth appearance in the NASCAR playoffs.

I'm really proud of this whole race team and am so very proud that we clinched today and am glad that we locked-down the Chase," said Johnson. "That's something that I'm very proud of. We've made it each year. And now it's time to get to work.”

Biffle came home 19th Saturday night in an ultimately disappointing evening, but stayed on top of the Sprint Cup Series point standings and secured his spot in the Chase field.

“It feels really good to be locked in (to the Chase) with two races to go," said the Roush Fenway Racing driver. "It was a tough night here, but we did lock ourselves in and still have the point lead. This wasn't the run we were looking for. We pitted at the end to try and make the car better and learn something, but it was probably the wrong thing to do because we lost about eight spots. We weren't gonna win, so we thought we might as well try what we can.”

Earnhardt Jr. will make his second straight Chase appearance after his 12th place run in Bristol.

"I feel good about it," he said. "We worked real hard all season and I want to thank my guys. They do a good job every week and give me good strategy."