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Hey, I'm back... and I've made time to break down each Chase driver, with my own input.
1. Jimmie Johnson - Finally, the 48 team won a race, and ended up making it two in a row at Richmond, after the five month winless streak. This team always hits its stride around this time, after a usual summertime slump. The team always seems to overcome adversity, and the competition better watch out, as Jimmie Johnson and Co. seem to have the best chance of being repeat champions since Jeff Gordon in 1997 and 1998.
2. Jeff Gordon - In no way should the 4-time champion's "slump" fool you. The 24 team clinched their spot in the Chase long before anybody else, and knew they had nothing to lose. When Steve LeTarte returned, it was time to experiment, and that they did. Experimenting usually means setups that might not always work, or trying to find a winning one, and his bad finishes reflected that. This team finished up the regular season with a 4th place finish, and a little momentum heading into the Chase. His quest for a 5th title is very much intact, and may be the 48 team's stiffest competition.
3. Tony Stewart - Lately, it's looked like Tony Stewart's title campaign in 2005. He started out slow, finishing well enough to stay in it long enough to win, and then go on a run. He did that with 3 wins in 4 races and has maintained his consistency ever since. He's had great cars, and charged from close to 10th in the standings to 2nd before being seeded 3rd by his number of wins. It would be very fun to see a potential Jeff Gordon - Tony Stewart battle for the title, in a clash of two giants in the sport.
4. Kurt Busch - The chemistry between Busch and crew chief Pat Tryson is the kind that wins races and championships. Roger Penske would love nothing more than to have a title in his stable, and Busch has the potential to do it. It will be interesting to see how the only Dodge in the Chase fares.
5. Carl Edwards - Last year, Kevin Harvick had a chance to win both the Busch Series and Cup Series titles in the same season, and didn't get it done. Carl Edwards has a chance to do it this season, with the Busch Series title all but wrapped up. This team has consistently finished in the top-10 since his first win at Michigan. They followed it up with an impressive win at Bristol with the COT. This team has the momentum that can carry them to a possible championship, even with the DNF at Richmond.
6. Jeff Burton - Last season, Burton led the standings for a short while in the Chase, and it was nice to see him have at winning a title finally. This season is the same: he needs consistency. With consistency, Burton and Co. could be a threat to a title.
7. Kyle Busch - Last season's Chase was something of a disaster for this team, to say the least. However, Busch and crew chief Alan Gustafson are a good team, and have the ability to win races. How ironic it would be for Kyle Busch to win a title in his final year at Hendrick Motorsports, and with Chevy.
8. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin only has one win this season, but he had opportunities for at least two or three more. Hamlin's team is usually a threat to win every weekend, and is the best when driving from the back to the front. He has the skills to win a title, and despite coming so close to winning one last season, as a rookie, this season might actually turn out to be a bit sweeter.
9. Kevin Harvick - Harvick was a bit lucky to get into the Chase, amidst all of the inconsistency for him and his team. Like his teammates, and RCR as a whole, he needs consistency if he wants to be considered a threat to win the championship.
10. Matt Kenseth - This is a team where consistency rules. Kenseth's only win of the season came back at California in February - the 2nd race of the season. Kenseth has consistently run in the top-10 all year, but he could use a win or two in the Chase to help cement his status as a potential threat.
11. Martin Truex Jr. - It's fitting that the new banner boy for DEI is the one who ends up making the Chase. He's a two-time Busch Series champion, so he can win a title, but how will he fare in the big-time, with some proven Chase contenders and past champions? He's a long shot for the title, but he could win a race during the Chase and spice things up.
12. Clint Bowyer - What a nice story for Clint Bowyer. He's the ultimate darkhorse in the Chase, not winning one race this season, but consistently finishing in the top-15 and top-10 all year to claim the 12th place spot in the Chase. He needs to figure out how to finish in the top-5 more during the Chase, with maybe a win mixed in, in order to make a run.
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