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Kyle Busch
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| Matt Hazlett/Getty Images North America |
With his victory at Martinsville, Kyle Busch was able to lock his way into the chase earlier than he did last season. Was one not enough? Well for you Kyle Busch fans, Kyle went on to win Texas, Kansas for the first time in the Cup Series, and Indianapolis for the second straight season. Kyle Busch has had 11 Top-5's, 16 Top-10's, and 2 poles. Busch has kept a consistent run going only having 5 DNF's. Kyle Busch could be labeled the favorite going into the Chase but with those few bad finishes, Kyle needs to step it up in Round One to become the favorite. Win all three races in the first round could certainly make him the favorite and he goes to 3 tracks he has won at in the past.
Brad Keselowski
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| Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America |
Brad Keselowski clinched his Chase spot early in the season winning at Las Vegas. Since that win Keselowski has also tallied two super speedway victories. Winning at Talladega in May and then at Daytona in July. Keselowski was also able to pull off a fuel conservation win at Kentucky giving him the same amount of victories that Kyle Busch and his #18 team has. In 2012 Keselowski also won at Talladega and Kentucky en route to his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Keselowski only needs to win Chicago and Dover to make it kind of deja vu with the exception of winning the Food City 500 at Bristol. Keselowski has almost made the final four now two years. Is this the season he makes it and goes all the way? #GoinFor2
Denny Hamlin
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| Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America |
The 2016 Daytona 500 Winner sits 3rd on the Chase Grid heading into Chicago and with that being said, Hamlin won at Chicago last season to move on to the next round and he could surely do it again. Hamlin didn't think The Daytona 500 was enough so he went out and won at Watkins Glen and then last night at his hometown track in Richmond. With that win last night, Hamlin now sits in pretty good company for the chase. Hamlin has had the consistency in the past but Talladega was the Achilles heel for Hamlin last season as it was for many drivers. Hamlin could take it all the way to Homestead but needs to keep his regular season consistency going.
Kevin Harvick
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| Sean Gardner/Getty Images North America |
Some peoples favorite sits right here in the #4 Camp and I can see how he is there. Kevin Harvick gained his chase spot in a side by side fight at Phoenix with Carl Edwards and then gained another victory at Bristol in the Night/Day/Night race. Harvick has the consistency to win the championship and has the ability to lead the laps to win the race but pit road issues have been what's kept Harvick out of victory lane. If Harvick has that issue resolved and he can keep everything going. He will be the favorite and certainly unbeatable. Harvick looks to Phoenix in the chase as Harvick has won there 8 out of the last 9 times with a second place finish coming in that race he didn't win. If Harvick remains in the Chase until then he will certainly be a favorite to make the Final Four for the 3rd time in a row.
Carl Edwards
Winning at Bristol, Edwards clinched his chase spot. The following weekend Edwards moved teammate Kyle Busch out of the way to win at Richmond. Edwards showed in that race he isn't afraid to move someone out of the way to win a race even if it was his teammate. Edwards has made the chase now the last three seasons and will look to make it into the final four for the first time and maybe gain his first career championship in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Edwards is probably the most liked Toyota driver other than Truex to the fans and it shows with his personality in toward the fans. Unless he treats you like Fast Food treats your body.
Martin Truex Jr.
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| Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America |
Truex has had the most up and down season with pit stop issues some weekends and pure dominance on the other end. Truex dominated the Coca-Cola 600 this season, a race no one thought you could dominate, to seal his fate in the 2016 Chase. Labor Day Weekend came and Truex landed in victory lane in Crown Jewel Race #2 of the season by winning the Bojangles Southern 500. Truex like Harvick could be the favorite as long as he has gotten his pit stop issues and tire vibrations. Truex has a few tracks in the chase where he has done well at including Charlotte, where he gained a victory earlier this season, along with Dover where he gained his first career victory and almost won earlier this season.
Matt Kenseth
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| Matt Hazlett/Getty Images North America |
Coming close to winning at Bristol in April but a tire issue ended that chance. After weeks of bad luck, Kenseth was able to seal his fate and his first victory since his suspension in 2015. Kenseth also won at New Hampshire which just happens to be the last two races of the first round of the chase. Kenseth has had success in the past in the chase but last season was just one of those years where things don't go your way and desperation comes in very hot. Kenseth didn't race at Texas or Phoenix last season so he will surely be looking to rebound from his 2015 results and maybe land yet another championship to Coach Joe Gibbs in his 25th.
Jimmie Johnson
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| Matt Hazlett/Getty Images North America |
This season has truly been up and down for the Six time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion. Winning the second race of the season at Atlanta tying Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s win mark and then a few weeks later at California breaking that number and passing The Intimidators 76 victories. But since then Johnson has had a very unusual dismal season gaining just one pole with no victories. Johnson has finished 3rd, three times since then but also a stat that we never thought Johnson would gain. Johnson's first career last place finish came at Watkins Glen. That was over 15 years without a last place finish and well it happened at The Glen for Johnson. If things could change for Johnson he is surely a favorite but his track record in this new chase hasn't been good, being eliminated in the first rounds the last two seasons.
Joey Logano
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| Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images North America |
Slow and steady wins the race and that seems to be what Joey Logano is doing this season. Much unlike the last few seasons, Joey Logano heads into the chase with just one victory. Logano has had a very consistent season, just not like the consistency he had in the past. Logano may be saving his momentum for the chase where he could possibly take an early lead at Chicago. Logano has made the final round once in the two years of this chase format and with last seasons interruption by Matt Kenseth, Logano could have become last years champion with his consistency. Logano needs to win at tracks he has before like New Hampshire, Charlotte, Kansas, Talladega, and Texas. If he can win in at least one per round, we will see Logano back in the Title picture come Homestead.
Kyle Larson
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| Sean Gardner/Getty Images North America |
Finally gaining his first career victory at Michigan a few weeks ago, Kyle Larson made the chase on that victory in a pretty crucial point of the regular season, in a point where he was in a must win situation almost. Larson has been written off by many people mainly because of his performance before his victory kind of like his teammate Jamie McMurray who we will get to here in a few. What people aren't noticing is that since his win at Michigan, Larson has finished in the Top-3 the last three races and almost won last weekend at Richmond had it not been for a block by Truex. I see Larson making it to the Final four without a doubt. Not saying winning the championship but a Top-4 finish in points.
Tony Stewart
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| Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America |
Stewart broke through hard times with his victory at Sonoma and locked his way into the chase by remaining in the Top-30 in points much like Chris Buescher. Tony Stewart has had a good final season with some ups and downs but compared to his last few seasons it's been a very good year for Tony. Winning his first race since Dover in 2013. Stewart though now possibly has a target on his back from a Ryan Newman who has nothing to lose. Newman was intentionally wrecked by Stewart last weekend at Richmond, yes Tony admitted to it. No punishment came but Newman and Smoke are supposed to discuss with NASCAR. I wouldn't be surprised if Newman makes Stewart pay for the accident at Richmond.
Kurt Busch
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| Sarah Crabill/Getty Images North America |
Kurt Busch won at the first Pocono earlier this year by holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr. on a Monday. Kurt Busch also held a streak for races finishing on the Lead Lap for the season until Bristol where that streak came to an end after a wreck. Since Bristol, Busch has finished outside the Top-10 two of the three weeks. Kurt Busch has done about the same both years in the chase but this season it could be different. Consistency could be key for the Las Vegas native and he could be in the final four with his brother if everything stays well and Busch gains his first Superspeedway victory at Talladega in a few weeks. I think Busch could make the final four but I don't know about a Championship.
Chris Buescher
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| Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images North America |
The last driver to make the chase with a victory, Chris Buescher was able to remain in the Top-30 to make the chase. Chris Buescher won the Rain/Fog Shortened Pennsylvania 400 and that is how Buescher made the chase. Very controversial but Buescher managed to land Front Row Motorsports in the Chase for the first time. An underfunded team in the chase makes NASCAR fans lose their minds but makes automatic assumptions about Buescher not making it past Round 1. I feel if Buescher can keep consistency up in Round 1, Talladega will be key for Front Row Motorsports once again to make it to the Third Round. Buescher could surprise some people with Roush Horsepower and could run with the Team Penske guys. With the help from Joey and Brad, Buescher could make a statement.
Chase Elliott
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| Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America |
Chase made the Chase in his Rookie Season by points and luck. Elliott has had a few close chances at getting his first career victory but Elliott hasn't pounced on those opportunities. Elliott has also been very hard on himself and that is something that can either benefit or hurt. Elliott has the guidance from Jeff Gordon who made the final round last season. Gordon will also be Elliott's teammate in a few of the races which could be helpful to Elliott. Fans really like Chase and if he can start pulling some victories, He could make the final round and compete for the Championship as a Rookie. Much like in a movie that was made a few years ago.
Austin Dillon
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| Jonathan Moore/Getty Images North America |
Dale Earnhardt Sr. won six championships with the #3 and Austin Dillon will bring the #3 into the Championship picture for the first time since Dale Earnhardt Sr. finished 2nd in 2000. 16 years later Austin Dillon makes his first chase with the #3. Austin Dillon made the chase by consistency and points which is something that could gain Austin a first victory and a first time opportunity at winning a Championship. Though popular with some fans others don't like seeing the #3 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. If Austin could gain a victory and possibly a Championship, I say he earned the opportunity to drive the #3.
Jamie McMurray
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| Todd Warshaw/Getty Images North America |
Jamie McMurray made the chase last season and will help Chip Ganassi Racing have two cars in the Chase. McMurray almost didn't make the chase but with a stellar performance at Richmond, and a repeat winner. McMurray was able to make the chase for the second straight season. McMurray fell out of the chase in the first round last season on a tie breaker which makes me believe McMurray can make the next round. McMurray has to have his eyes on Talladega as that is where he won his last race in 2013. McMurray could make things interesting and with a teammate in the Chase, Chip Ganassi Racing means business this season.
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