16 Chase drivers prepare to navigate field of 40 cars in Chicagoland opener

For 16 crew chiefs and the men who supervised, Sprint Cup racing gets real on Sunday.

Race 1 of the Chase for the Sprint Cup should heighten intensity and pressure for the people in the pits, not just for the drivers in the cars on Sunday at Chicagoland.

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Stronger punishments for violations involving post-race laser inspections and lug nuts were announced Wednesday. As if competition for stock car racing's biggest season championship wasn't enough.

There will be, of course, 40 cars on the track for Sunday's race. A handful of those cars will contend; others might affect the results. A crash, for instance, that claims a Chase driver's car would have a major impact on which teams advance after three rounds.

So Cole Whitt, who is 36th in the season's overall standings; or Reed Sorenson, who is 40th.

A feud or longstanding grudge also could make for interesting circumstances. Right, Ryan Newman? Or what about drivers who have something to prove the rest of the season, like Clint Bowyer or Kasey Kahne? Back-marker teams have significance.

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Jeff Gordon isn't racing at Chicagoland. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 car will be manned by Alex Bowman, in the first of his eight rides the rest of the season. Earnhardt continues his recovery from a head injury and is not expected to compete again until the 2017 season.

The 16 Chase drivers and their allies demand the closest attention in Chase races. But don't overlook the impact other drivers and teams might have.

Here's the Chicagoland field, with Chase cars listed first.