The NASCAR Sprint Cup field of champions field is set.  As the field heads to Chicagoland Speedway to start the Chase for the Championship, here's a NASCAR shorthand prediction of the standings at season's end.   Note the title didn't say former whiner because almost all the drivers could fit that description.

Tumblin’ to Twelfth Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Save your tomatoes for the salsa.  He wants it, his fans REALLY want it, NASCAR kind of hopes it, but a title is highly unlikely.

Eleventh Hour Martin Truex, Jr. Consistent for much of season, road course win, been a little clunky lately and his teammate did him a favor by getting him in the chase. (See Clint Bowyer)

Greg Biffle A Perfect Tenth just has not been good enough at seizing opportunities and others are more capable of situation maximization.

Dressed to the Nines Clint Bowyer has been strong all year long, just hasn’t won.  After his spin at Richmond if he is even close to contending for the title either Ryan Newman or Jeff Gordon will pay a visit.

Crazy Eighth Joey Logano has a recent win and showed strength early in the season.  He recovered better than Brad Keselowski after Texas penalties, but needs some more seasoning to pull off a title.

Rollin Seventh Kurt Busch has got to be the comeback story of all time so far.  From Rubbermaid to Rubberhead and back.  A top-notch pit crew would make him a contender.

Sixth Sense Kevin Harvick He is known as “The Closer” but will not close out his tenure with Richard Childress as “The Champion.”  He’s a lame duck, though he has been running up front at 1.5 mile tracks.

Carl Edwards Pleads the Fifth but could surprise because he likes the 1.5 mile tracks.  Boldly predicts a title but needs more horses under the hood to beat the Toyotas and Chevys.

 

Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne
(Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
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Go Fourth and Conquer Kasey Kahne should run better in the chase.  Although can he run well enough at the 1.5 mile tracks or avoid sucking Matt Kenseth’s fumes long enough to take the whole enchilada?

Third Wheel Jimmie Johnson earned respect off past accomplishments, but string of poor finishes leaves doubt

Second Banana Kyle Busch Mr. Momentum (Richmond notwithstanding) will be close but not close enough to win the championship as long as there is no Mr. Mechanical Failure and he devolves into Mr. Meltdown

Top Cat Matt Kenseth The chemistry is there to put together 10 good races to close a fine first season at Joe Gibbs Racing. The top seed will win his second title.

 

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