Just a couple days before the Daytona 500 kicked off the season, the RIR staff submitted their picks for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion. 13,531 laps, 35 races, 13 race winners and one Chase Grid later, we're down to just four drivers with a shot at the Championship.

We won't be able to throw Denny Hamlin that hometown Championship celebration like so many of us had hoped, and even Martin Truex Jr's Philly fandom couldn't carry him to a title shot - but here's a quick look back at what we were saying nine months ago.

This is Kyle Busch's second Championship 4 berth.

4 WINS  |  17 TOP-5's  |  24 TOP-10's
Alright we goofed on this one. Not a single person on our staff thought the reigning champ would repeat as NASCAR's top dog, but an impressive 2016 campaign has the No. 18 thinking back-to-back.

This is Carl Edwards's first Championship 4 berth.

3 WINS  |  9 TOP-5's  |  18 TOP-10's
 Year two with the JGR powerhouse has Carl Edwards humming into his second shot at a NASCAR Championship.

This is Jimmie Johnson's first Championship 4 berth.

4 WINS  |  10 TOP-5's  |  15 TOP-10's
While it wasn't the kind of dominating season we saw from Johnson during his six other Championship runs, he's definitely had his mojo of late. Half of his wins this season have come in the Chase.

This is Joey Logano's first Championship 4 berth.

3 WINS  |  15 TOP-5's  |  25 TOP-10's
The "youngster" in the group - Logano has been on a mission to overcome his early exit from the 2015 Chase. With wins in the past two elimination races, can he look to make it three in a row in Homestead?

Check out the original RIR Rank list below, ranked from least to greatest number of votes received: 

Carl Edwards Chase for the Sprint Cup Jimmie Johnson Joey Logano Kyle Busch NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

3:02 PM

King Carl

Make that a party of two. Carl Edwards will join Jimmie Johnson as one of the Championship 4 with a win in the rain-shortened AAA Texas 500, which ran only 293 of the 334 scheduled laps. Mother Nature struck at the right time and right place for Edwards to snag his third win of the season, and first since Richmond's TOYOTA OWNERS 400 in April. "We were in a bad spot if we went green again," said Edwards. "My car was starting to go away. I ran pretty hard there at the start, but man, that’s fun." Joey Logano had a strong day too - and solidified his chances of advancing to the Championship after leading a race-high 178 laps en route to a runner-up finish.

It's Voting Season

It's election season, and the folks over at Joe Gibbs Racing decided to have a little fun with it by throwing up a couple write-in suggestions for those undecided voters out there. And why not? With all four drivers still alive in the Chase for the Sprint Cup there's plenty of reason for optimism around the Huntersville offices. Although after his win on Sunday, there's a chance that Edwards and his crew chief Dave Rogers could be busy for the forseeable future.

The People Have Spoken

Speaking of voting - in a poll hosted by our partners over at FoxSports, fans think that Kevin Harvick has the best chance of joining Johnson and Edwards in the Championship round at Homestead. Considering the 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion has won six of the last eight races at Phoenix, he's certainly a heavy favorite. However, don't overlook the No. 22 Penske Ford either. Logano finished third in last year's Quicken Loans 500, and i coming off a strong second place showing in Texas.

Carl Edwards Chase for the Sprint Cup NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR Texas Motor Speedway Victory Lap

5:13 PM

Like Clockwork

Not one, not two, not three...alright you get the picture. Jimmie Johnson added to his lengthy Martinsville resume in capturing his ninth grandfather clock at the Goody's Fast Relief 500 on Sunday. "This is the right time to start winning races,” said Johnson, who last won at Martinsville in 2013. "It isn’t going to come easy and we knew that coming into this race and there’s so many challenges at this race track." Now that his ticket is punched to Homestead, "Six-Time" is ready to embrace the challenge of racing for a seventh NASCAR Cup Championship. "I’ve been trying to ignore this conversation about seven, and now I can’t. We’re locked in.”

No Man Left Behind?

The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas dominated much of the action in Martinsville. The trio of Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch led a combined 227 of the race's 500 laps, and that number climbs to 374 if you include the performance of alliance member Martin Truex Jr. But it wasn't all sunshine and roses for the Short Track Squad. After running in the top-10 most of the afternoon, reigning TOYOTA OWNERS 400 champion Carl Edwards suffered a blown tire that put the No. 19 right into the Turn 1 wall. The wreck sent Edwards and the No.19 behind the wall for 24 laps, resulting in a 36th place finish for the Chase contendor. He'll need to put in some serious work at Texas and Phoenix if he wants to keep his championship hopes alive.

Back in the Saddle

After a two-week break, the NASCAR XFINITY Series will pick back up this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Two races remain before the series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Virginia's own Elliott Sadler is tied with NASCAR Next alumni Daniel Suarez for the Series lead. Blake Koch and Justin Allgaier round out the top four, but Erik Jones and Ryan Reed are in sitting within two points of Allgaier at P4.

One Down, Two to Go

The sun has set on Martinsville, and as the Chase field veers out west for a pair of desert showdowns in Texas and Phoenix a gap has already formed among the eight remaining Chase drivers. A pair of poor showings from the Stewart Haas duo and tire problems for Edwards have all three sitting more than 16 points behind Kyle Busch in P4. But Edwards has three career wins in the Lonestar state, and Harvick can look forward to Phoenix, where the 2014 Champion has won six of the last eight contests. Someone's going to make some noise over the next couple of weeks - be sure to tune in and find out who. 

Carl Edwards Chase Elliott Chase for the Sprint Cup Jimmie Johnson Martinsville NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR Texas Motor Speedway Victory Lap XFINITY Series

11:03 AM

Gaulding meets with teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr after Virginia529 College Savings 250 qualifying at his hometown track, RIR.

At just 18 years old, Gray Gaulding has already had an impressive career in NASCAR, - and this weekend he's adding to it.

The Virginia native will attempt to make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut this weekend in the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, the first of three rides he's earned in the final four races of 2016.

"It’s exciting to be making my NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at a track like Martinsville," said Gailding. "We’ve had a really good history here (so it's) honestly unfathomable."

Gaulding enters the Martinsville field in the No. 30 Feed the Children Chevrolet for The Motorsports Group (TMG). He's also set compete at Phoenix International Raceway and in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"We are pleased to sponsor Gray Gaulding, the youngest NASCAR driver in the Martinsville field and a promising and fierce competitor," said the Hon. J.C. Watts, Jr., president and CEO of Feed the Children.

The youngster from Colonial Heights, VA started racing about as soon as anyone could. At just three years old he started his racing career on four-wheelers and dirt bikes, running at dirt tracks around the Commonwealth for seven years before giving stock car racing a shot.

After winning four of the five Bandolero races he ran in his first season, it's safe to say he sunk it.

Gaulding continued to impress through the NASCAR K&N ranks, setting a slew of records in the process. In 2013, Gaulding won the pole for the Blue Ox 100 right here at Richmond, making him the youngest pole-sitter in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East history at 15.

A regular in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Gaulding has a Sprint Cup ride for three of the final four races.

As an alumni of the NASCAR Next program (2013, 2014), NASCAR has recognized Gaulding’s talent at a young age. That promise has bore itself out over the past several seasons, where he's competed regularly in the NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series with NTS Motorsports, Red Horse Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Earlier this year Gaulding was signed to Roush-Fenway Racing as part of their driver development program. He's competed in two NASCAR XFINTIY Series races this season, at Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond, earning a 13th place finish in both races.

This weekend in Martinsville is just another milestone in Gaulding’s notable career. While it'll be far from the last - it could be his most significant to date.

Gray Gaulding Martinsville NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

9:53 AM

Twice is Nice

Although things were much different this time last year for the No. 22, Joey Logano still managed to find himself in a familiar place on Sunday - Talladega Victory Lane. Logano dominated the Round of 12 in 2015, sweeping all three races and establishing himself as the front-runner for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Fast forward 12 months and the No. 22 was battling to simply advance. Logano managed to surge ahead on the Lap 191 restart and pull out an overtime win to repeat as the Hellmann's 500 champion. “I feel good,” he said after the race. “...it was going to be tough after what happened in Charlotte, so to be able to recover and win in a clutch moment like this to move us on feels really, really good.”

The Gang's All Here

While their regular season dominance may not have yet shown itself in the Chase, Joe Gibbs Racing's quartet of Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth still found a way to show why they're the team to beat. All four drivers have advanced to the next round of the Chase, without a single Chase win between them, thanks to some cautious race tactics at Talladega. “It’s a playoff and you’ve got to say what is smart and so you certainly don’t want to make a big mistakes of some kind and cost your sponsor and everybody that’s wrapped into this,” said team owner Joe Gibbs about the team's defensive strategy.

Big Changes in the Works

Early today, NASCAR announced rules that will limit how many XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series races full-time Sprint Cup drivers can race in 2017. Drivers with more than five years of full-time Cup experience will be limited to maximum of 10 XFINITY and seven Camping World Truck Series contests beginning in 2017. Additionally, those drivers will also be held from competing in both Series' finales at Homestead-Miami Speedway and any XFINITY Dash for Cash races. “The updated guidelines will elevate the stature of our future stars, while also providing them the opportunity to compete against the best in professional motorsports,” said NASCAR Senior VP of Racing Operations Jim Cassidy.

NASCAR Returns to the Commonwealth

The eight drivers who survived Talladega with championship dreams intact now turn their attention to Martinsville and the only short track in the Chase. Could this be where one of the JGR Toyotas, who've led 1,545 of the 3,307 laps raced on short tracks this year, captures its first playoff win? Hometown Hamlin was the last one to visit Victory Lane, winning the regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway, and has five wins at the half-mile track. Teammate Kyle Busch also won at Martinsville in April, but it's Hendrick's Jimmie Johnson who has seen the most success in Southwest Virginia (eight wins, 23 top-10's in 29 races).

Chase for the Sprint Cup Joe Gibbs Racing Joey Logano Martinsville NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR Talladega Victory Lap XFINITY Series

10:06 AM

Macy Causey's work on the track is turning heads at just 15 years old (Photo: Brian Cleary)

It's been a whirlwind week for Yorktown's own Macy Causey.

After a fast weekend in Martinsville where she became the youngest female to qualify for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300’s main field, the 15-year-old Causey jetted down to New Smyrna for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine, a three-day showcase featuring some of the country's best and brightest drivers.

"The combine was great. I thought I did very well and know I had one of the fastest times of the day," said Causey. "My confidence level on being invited into the program this year is very high - I think I impressed a lot of people with not only my ability on the track but off the track during my three days there."

Causey was one of just 22 drivers from across the country invited to compete for a spot in Rev Racing's NASCAR Drive for Diversity Development program, which is renowned for providing talented young drivers with equipment, mentorship and opportunity.

Her invitation to the 2017 combine marks the second time she's been involved in the program. When the Yorktown native was invited last fall, she was the youngest participant in NASCAR Drive for Diversity history at 14 years old.

Macy Causey takes in some advice at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity combine. (Brian Cleary)

"It meant a lot to just be invited to the combine," said Causey. "At least 200 people apply and only around 20 are invited so it's really the opportunity of a lifetime. Last year really gave me another opportunity to build my confidence and I've done just that."

Causey competes regularly in the NWAAS Late Model Series - and although she calls Langley Speedway her home track, she's seen success racing in South Boston and the newly minted Dominion Raceway this season. She believes her performance and improvements have her ready to take the next step in her career, but knows the program would take it to new heights.

"It would mean a lot (to be accepted)," said Causey. "I've worked hard these past few years in the late model cars, learning as much as I can. The opportunity to learn from (Rev Racing's) knowledge and take in what they have to offer - I think that's what will help me the most."

While acceptance into the program would be an honor - breaking down barriers is in the Causey bloodline. Her grandmother, Diane Teel, was the first female driver to compete in the XFINITY Series nearly 40 years ago. Teel has been integral for Causey's development as a driver, and she feels fortunate to have had tremendous support from her family.

"My grandmother was the first woman to win a NASCAR race at Langley Speedway. Even though times and cars have changed, I still take her advice and look up to her." said Causey. "I'm really proud to carry the family tradition - I love racing and I think it's something I'll do for the rest of my life."

The NASCAR Drive for Diversity program has helped produce some of the sport's budding stars, like 2016 Sprint Cup Chase competitor Kyle Larson as well as NASCAR XFINITY Series phenoms Daniel Suarez and Darrell Wallace Jr. It's run by Rev Racing, which is headquartered in Concord, North Carolina.

Drive for Diversity Macy Causey Martinsville NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

4:12 PM

No Rules, Just Right

Lock it in Kevin Harvick. The 2014 Champion will join Jimmie Johnson in the Round of 8 after a win in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. The No. 4 jumped in front of then-leader Carl Edwards on a late race restart, and held on through the final 30 laps for his fourth win on the year. "These races are hard to win and these guys are so good at the details," said Harvick, "When you put their backs against the wall they're even better. I'm so proud of them." Harvick has never been eliminated under the current Chase format, racing for a Championship at Homestead each of the past two seasons.

A Little Sibling Rivalry

Carl Edwards will just have to wait a little longer for a win at his home track, after losing the lead to Kevin Harvick on a late race restart. "That last restart Kevin and Jimmie (Johnson) just lined up on the bottom and they got far enough ahead to where I couldn't hang on the outside," said Edwards after his second place finish on Sunday. "And I ended up having to race Kyle (Busch) really hard there for a few laps and it let Kevin get out ahead." Rather than try and chase down the No. 4, Edwards spent the rest of the afternoon fending off Busch for the final 30 laps. "That's racing I guess," said Busch of the back and forth. This isn't the first time we've seen the JGR teammates race one another hard. Edwards famously bumped the No. 18 on the final lap of the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 at Richmond International Raceway to secure his second win of the season.

Timing is Everything

It'd been nearly two years since the No. 2 hadn't finished a NASCAR Sprint Cup event, but for the first time since the 2015 Daytona 500 Brad Keselowski suffered a DNF in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400. Heading into the cutoff race in Talladega, the 2012 Champion is sitting 11th and eight points behind Joey Logano in the 8th position. On the plus side, Keselowski took home the May race at 'Dega, and is the only repeat winner in the last 11 races at the track. After a strong season racing on superspeedways (two wins in three races), he's got as strong a chance as any to race his way into the Round of 8.

The Home Stretch

Five races down, five to go. We've reached the midway point in the Chase and there's plenty of intrigue as the postseason makes the turn down the backstretch. The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas, who were so dominant in the regular season, have been consistent but unremarkable through the Chase's first half. The only exception would be Martin Truex Jr, who is one of three Chase race winners we've seen along with former champions Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson. Two of the Chase newbies are gone, and the two remaining are in danger of missing the cut come Sunday. The cutoff race in Talladega looms large as we move one step closer to crowning the NASCAR's 2016 Cup Champion.

Brad Keselowski Carl Edwards Chase for the Sprint Cup Kansas Speedwar Kevin Harvick Kyle Busch NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR Talladega Victory Lap

5:13 PM