With a third place finish in Sunday’s 3M Performance 400 David Ragan has inched himself closer to the coveted top-12.

Tied for the 13th spot and only 26 points in between himself and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, Ragan looks to keep the momentum going in order to grab a seat in this year’s version of the Chase.

Improving five spots from June’s edition of the races at Michigan, Ragan has learned the track and knows what to do in order to succeed.

“The bottom line is everything’s easier the second time around. Coming back to Michigan for the second race this year and also the second time around [from Ragan’s rookie year in 2007], we know how the track changes. I know how to pass cars a little better and what we need in our AAA Ford to turn through the middle [of the corner] and have good bite off.

"[Crew chief] Jimmy Fennig and I understand each other a little bit more from race to race.”

Ragan states that his performance is no surprise, and that not making any mistakes is key to achieving a strong finish.

“We always knew we could run this way if we just went a whole weekend without making many mistakes,” Ragan said. “We always seem to have fast cars and good speed, but maybe myself or the pit crew or somebody would make a mistake through the weekend, and we’d pay for it when the checkered flag fell."