It seems all a driver has to do to make the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase is to have an injury at the beginning of the year that forces them to sit out the first 9 or 10 races. Then they get a waiver allowing them to make the Chase providing they win a race and finish in the top 30 in points after the first 26 regular-season races. A waiver is needed because the Chase rules state you have to race in all 26 regular-season races.