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First-time Chase contenders balance aggression, caution as title run begins

A full one-fourth of this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup field will battle for the championship for the first time.

Of the 16 drivers in contention, four have never chased a Cup title. Two of those, in fact, are chasing their first Cup race victory.

MORE: 16 for '16: Chase drivers

Imagine the pressure each must feel. Of those four, one was locked into the field before last weekend's race at Richmond International Raceway. In that final regular-season race, Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott locked in on points. Chris Buescher locked into the top 30 in the standings in order to make the group after winning earlier this season.