So, time for a new topic and what better topic than NASCAR's version of playoffs, the Chase for the Sprint Cup (better known as simply the Chase). While many purists still aren't keen on this point system, it seems the drivers in the Cup garage have really begun to embrace it as most said they could only think of maybe some minor tweaks but otherwise they wouldn't change a thing. Anyway, I am not here to debate the merits or lack thereof in regards to the Chase, but I'm going to list the 12 drivers who are in the Chase in order of their current refigured point rankings and make my prediction as to who I feel will be this year's NASCAR champion.
1. Denny Hamlin, 5060 pts; #11 FedEx Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing: By virtue of winning last weekend's race at Richmond International Raceway, he earned the last 10 bonus points and thus has a 10 pt lead over Jimmie Johnson. He has been on a roll recently and appears ready to mount a serious challenge to the aforementioned Johnson. Many people have forgotten that it's only been a few months since he underwent ACL surgery and there was concern whether he would be able to make it through the season.
2. Jimmie Johnson, 5050 pts, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports: He is the 4-time defending champion of the series and as such, knows exactly what it takes to win. He has had an uncharacteristically up and down season, yet he also has 5 wins. This is the most vulnerable this team has appeared in years but I wouldn't be so quick to discount a team that has such a great driver and a great crew chief in Chad Knaus.
3. Kevin Harvick, 5030 pts, #29 Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing: The most consistent driver all year long, he finds himself trailing in the point standings for the first time in months. He has displayed an ability to get the most out of his car that we haven't seen from him in the past. If he can continue to get top 10 or 15 finishes with a car that may not have been that good, he has a great shot at his first title and the first for car owner Richard Childress since the late great Dale Earnhardt won his last of 7 in 1994.
4. Kyle Busch, 5030 pts, #18 M&M's Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing: Probably the most polarizing figure in the garage, he may also be the best driver. He has a "win it or just bring back the steering wheel" mentality and that will be evident in the chase. He has lacked the maturity to win a title, but that was then and this is now...confidence had NEVER been an issue for him and he is just brimming with it after the last few weeks, including a 3-race sweep at Bristol. Only question; will the feud pop back up between he and fellow JGR teammate Denny Hamlin? If it does, that derails both of them as challengers for the title.
5. Kurt Busch, 5020 pts, #2 Miller Lite Dodge, Roger Penske Racing: A former Cup Champion (2004), he also knows what it takes to get the job done in the most stressful of times. He has shown an ability this year to fight when his car isn't the best and make something positive happen. Long-time and very successful owner Roger Penske has NEVER had a Cup Champion...is this the year?
6. Tony Stewart, 5010 pts, #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, Stewart Haas Racing: A 2-time Cup Champion ('02, '05), he is coming into the Chase on a little bit of a high as well having won on September 5th in Atlanta. The savvy veteran seems to be rejuvenated and appears as though as he is coming on strong. The late summer has always been when he is at his best and that bodes well for him and his race team. He is trying to be the first driver to win a championship in his self-owned car since the late Alan Kulwicki did it way back in 1992.
7. Greg Biffle, 5010 pts, #16 3M Ford, Jack Roush Racing: He is 1 of 3 drivers from Roush Racing to make the Chase, yet he is the only that has a victory this year. His year has been a roller coaster, as evidenced by his finishes in the last 6 races respectively: 1, 24, 4, 8, 36 and 32. In fact, had it not been for some tough luck for Ryan Newman and Jamie McMurray, he could have found himself outside the top 12. He seems to have been very competitive lately but seems to always find trouble which you cannot have more than once in a 10-race shootout.
8. Jeff Gordon, 5000 pts, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Rick Hendrick Motorsports: The 4-time champion is winless thus far but has had a very competitive car most races. He has shown a fire this year that some had questioned whether or not he still had and it was evidenced earlier in the year when he went after his teammate Jimmie Johnson. Long the leader of Hendrick Motorsports, he looks like he's tired of all the Johnson hype and hopes to regain his championship form.
9. Carl Edwards, 5000 pts, #99 AFLAC Ford, Jack Roush Racing: Known for his back flip off his car after a victory, "cousin" Carl hasn't been able to do it this year. His cars have been very strong as of late and it appears as though the Ford teams have finally made up the ground from the beginning of the year. Despite not yet visiting victory lane, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him win a race in this Chase.
10. Jeff Burton, 5000 pts, #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing: The 2nd of RCR's drivers, he is the voice of the drivers in the NASCAR garage. He is a veteran of 20+ years in the Sprint Cup, winner of many races, yet hasn't quite been able to claim that championship. Like Gordon, he has shown a fire this year that we haven't seen in a while. He hasn't won a race yet this year but has had a car capable of winning in many races only to get caught up in someone else's mess. He looks primed for a strong run this year.
11. Matt Kenseth, 5000 pts, #17 Crown Royal Ford, Jack Roush Racing: The 3rd and final Roush representative in the Chase, Kenseth is considered the guy ultimately responsible for the creation of the Chase format. During his championship run in 2003, he won a whopping 1 race. Ryan Newman won 8 that year but didn't sniff the title...it was all due to Kenseth being steady and having solid finishes in every race. He has been pretty consistent this year but never really in contention for any win.
12. Clint Bowyer, 5000 pts, #33 Cheerios Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing: The last driver to qualify for the Chase, he has been a model of consistency towards the end of the year. He is a long shot to win the title, but he has shown an ability to finish strong no matter what happens on the track, so you can't completely discount him. Plus, with how strong RCR has been all season, that whole team appears ready to mount a serious challenge to the Johnson/Hendrick domination.
So there they are, the 12 drivers competing for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. This is as wide open as it's been in a long time as Jimmie Johnson has seemed a bit more human and hasn't just dominated from start to finish. Beginning this week in Loudon, New Hampshire, you will see these guys all near the front of the pack. Most of them run well on the 1-mile track that drives like a short track. Look for Hamlin, Johnson, the Busch Brothers and Harvick to all contend for the win with the others not far behind.
At any rate, I look for Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch to go into the final race at Miami's Homestead Speedway mathematically eligible to win the title. I am predicting that history will be made yet again as Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus find a way to get a win in the final race to pound the nail into their 5th consecutive title. If I am correct, that will be one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sports. To be the very best in a sport for 4, let alone 5 years in a row, is amazing.
Anyway, enjoy the Chase...I know I will!!!
- The Sports Nut
RIP John Wooden, the greatest coach in history
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