What will the year-end finishing order be for the ten drivers in NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Originally Posted on Tues. Sept. 19, 2006 at 12:33PM
Revised, after a couple of comments on my Foxsports Blog "Racedriven Overdrive", I wanted to restate something on this list. I pick Kasey Kahne as my "dark horse" to win the championship. He will have to go through Kevin Harvick who is on a tear and is the points leader as of now (Friday Afternoon).

1. 9 Kasey Kahne "dark horse" to win
2. 29 Kevin Harvick "current points leader"
3, 24 Jeff Gordon
4. 11 Denny Hamlin
5. 17 Matt Kenseth
6. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. "My favorite driver"
7. 6 Mark Martin
8. 31 Jeff Burton
9. 48 Jimmie Johnson
10. 5 Kyle Busch

Why? Starting at the top, When it comes to the final 9 racetracks, Kasey Kahne has the upper hand, he runs good/has won on Atlanta, Charoltte, Texas, Kansas, Dover and I will even through in Talladega, he just have to finish good in the remainder of the tracks. Kevin Harvick has been on a tear as of late, the question is will it continue. Jeff Gordon has millions in front of him, so he will take off. Denny Hamlin is a wild card, with some good finishes and very impressive, he's the rookie, no one knows just what this kid can do. Matt Kenseth shows top 10 results. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a good team to do it, but still is having a little trouble finishing, but sometimes he doesn't, not to mention a huge fan base including me behind him. Mark Martin and Jeff Burton are in this, but are having trouble finishing. Jimmie Johnson has lost his wind in his sail and Kyle Busch, well, who knows, its a 146 points back.

Remember two things:
1. Don't count out anyone in this chase.
2. I am a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan and I want him to win the championship, the list above including picking Kasey Kahne to win, is based on the final 9-races left in the chase for the championship.

This was a difficult list to make with just 9-races to go, what does everyone think?


Credit: Photo was taking by Mike of 8racingfan.com.

Kevin Harvick in the #29 second in line congrads on winning the 300 at NHIS. All around great race. By the way, this photo was taking from a seat in turn 1-2 at Sunday's NHIS Nextel Cup Series race. Hopefully some time next year, I will be able to do the same.

See Yeah!