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We are entering only the 10th race on the Sprint Cup's heavy schedule, yet for many players of Stock Car Challenge, a true sense of urgency has set in. There are only two races left in the first segment of the game, so the next two events are highly critical in terms of determining whether you will win your group or at least finish respectably. If you are out of contention for winning the first segment, you still can be the best in your group for a week or two, and you will show that you are an upstanding fantasy player who does not quit. Don't take your reputation with your fellow fantasy players for granted. You want to make sure you are invited back for the next segment, and no one wants a quitter in the group.

There still is time in the Cup season for drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch and Dave Blaney to turn things around, but you can't gamble on them at this point of the first segment. You must compose your lineup with as many "safe" drivers as possible and minimize risks of poor finishes. Of course, no one can predict which drivers will end up in a wreck in any given week, and you must take a risk on at least one lower-priced driver in your lineup. By now, though, you know which drivers you can and cannot rely on in the short term as the circuit heads to Richmond International Speedway.

Kyle Busch (Salary: $22.4 million): He turns 23 years old Friday, and it would not be a surprise to see him record his second consecutive victory a day later. Not only is he seeking his third Cup win of the season, but he also has seven wins spread across all three NASCAR series this season. At least for now, this is looking like Busch's year, and there is no one better to lead your team into the two final weeks of the segment. Busch has an average finish of 6.2 at Richmond, with five top-5 showings in six career races at the site. He has finished second in two of his past three races here. In his past six races here, Busch ranks third among all active drivers in average running position (7.8), average green-flag speed (118.779) and laps in the top 15 ( 2,077, or 86.5 percent). He also ranks second with 153 quality passes during that span. (NASCAR defines quality passes as passes of cars in the top 15 while under green-flag conditions.)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (22.7): Earnhardt is approaching the two-year anniversary of his last series victory, which came May 7, 2006, at Richmond. Even if his 71-event drought is extended this week, you know you have a good chance of getting a strong finish from him. He has an average finish of 10.4 this season. He is tied with Tony Stewart for most victories at Richmond (each has three), and it would be no shock to see him finally end up back in Victory Lane, although you should consider that just a bonus and look for a top-5 showing. In the past six races at Richmond, Earnhardt leads all drivers with 334 green-flag passes. He also has nine top-10 finishes in 17 career starts here, all of which came before he moved to Hendrick Motorsports.

Tony Stewart (22.2): He could have made a serious run at his first victory of the 2008 season at Talladega, had he not wrecked, and he is starting to show better form just in time for the final two races of the first segment. The last of Stewart's three wins at Richmond came back in 2002, but he finished eighth and second here last season, and he has 12 top-10 finishes in 18 career starts at the site. In his past six Richmond races, he ranks fourth in average running position (9.6), average green-flag speed (118.775) and laps in the top 15 (1,903, or 79.5 percent).

Kevin Harvick (21.5): He has not finished in the top 15 in the past two races, but Harvick is having a good season overall, with an average finish of 11.2. You can expect a strong run from him at Richmond. He finished seventh in both races at the site in 2007, and he finished third and won his first race here in 2006. In his past six Richmond races, Harvick leads all drivers in average running position (5.6), fastest laps run (259), average green-flag speed (118.997), laps in the top 15 (2,267, or 94.5 percent) and quality passes (166). Those numbers should convince you to lock him into your lineup for this week.

Ryan Newman (19.7): He has two top-10 finishes in his past three races and is coming off an eighth-place showing at Talladega. Newman won at Richmond in 2003 and has seven top-10 finishes in 12 career starts here. He has placed 12th or better in five of his past six races at the site and never has recorded a DNF at Richmond. In his past six events here, he ranks second in laps in the top 15 with 2,101, or 87.7 percent. He also ranks third with 136 quality passes and fifth in average running position at 9.9.

David Ragan (17.5): He came through last week at Talladega with his best finish of the season, placing fourth, and a top-15 showing from him again this week is very conceivable. Last season, he finished 20th in the first race at the site, which also was his Cup debut here. In the second race last year, he delivered the best finish of his career, placing third after starting eighth. He's a downright bargain at this price.

Ken Schrader (10.6): He's the ultimate bargain this week, as he is at the bottom of the price list and will allow you to front-load your lineup with four other quality drivers. He steps into the No. 40 car for the injured Dario Franchitti, and while we all wish Franchitti a quick return to the circuit, having another driver take over his ride at least gives us hope for better fantasy results. David Stremme took Franchitti's place last week at Talladega and ran up near the front for a good portion of the race before crashing. Schrader has finished 19th, 16th and seventh in his past three races at Richmond, and those are great possible results for that price tag.

Jimmie Johnson (24.2) swept both races at Richmond last season, but he's not worth that price tag right now. … Denny Hamlin (22.3) hails from Chesterfield, Va., and he has three top-10s in four starts at his "home" track. … Clint Bowyer (21.8) has two top-10s in four Richmond starts. … Greg Biffle (20.9) has five top-10s in 11 Richmond starts. … Jeff Gordon (23.0) leads all active drivers with five poles at Richmond. … Mark Martin (18.3) has an average finish of 12.5 at Richmond.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (22.7): I'm not expecting a victory, but I'm certainly banking on another top-5 finish.

Kyle Busch (22.4): He is going to dominate a day after his birthday.

Tony Stewart (22.2): One of his patented runs of strong finishes can begin this week, so I might lock him in next week also.

Kevin Harvick (Locked at 22.0): His past two races brought down his price, but he will be fantasy gold at Richmond.

Ken Schrader (10.6): Look at the rest of my lineup. He makes it possible to have four other outstanding drivers on my squad.

Scott Engel covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can contact Scott here.