Season Half-Way Point - Predictions for The Chase

Picking The Chase

As the season is almost at the half-way point and the cream is starting to rise to the top it's time for me to boldly pick the 12 drivers who will make The Chase this fall. Some are easy to place and some these were pretty tough.

1) Jeff Gordon - Easy pick. He's been the best all year so far. He is fast, he is consistent and he is lucky. He has four wins and five poles; he is hoping he hasn't peaked at this early stage of the season.

2) Matt Kenseth - Very consistent in 2007. Ten top 10's, nobody has more except for Gordon. He has one win (California) and will need to produce a couple if he is going to pass Gordon.

3) Jimmie Johnson - He too is consistent with his top 10's and has wins, but he has to avoid those very low finishes once Chase races start.

4) Denny Hamlin - Has six top 5's and appears to be on the verge of getting some wins if he gets a little bit of luck. He should be a regular Chase participant for many years to come.

5) Jeff Burton - He is currently sitting in 5th place. Last week he was in 5th place, he will more than likely end up the year in 5th place. A real pro, does his job and most of the time nobody notices. Had a well deserved win at Texas and will get at least one more.

6) Carl Edwards - I think some of his Busch Success will translate over to Nextel Cup. Had two top 5's, but no wins yet.

7) Tony Stewart - He is simmering for a win. Has made as much noise off the track as on so far this season. He is too good of a driver to finish lower than 7th this year.

8) Kyle Busch - Wouldn't be a Chase if one Busch Brother didn't make it. Has a big win at Bristol, and I expect him to get at least one more.

9) Kevin Harvick - The Daytona 500 winner is a little inconsistent, but has good equipment and talent, so he will make The Chase.

10) Martin Truex Jr. - Well at least one "Jr." and one DEI driver will make it. Big win at Dover has instilled confidence in him that will vault him into the upper echelon of drivers.

11) Clint Bowyer - He has been consistent with seven top 10's in the first 14 races. Will get some key top 5 finishes that will keep him in the top 12.

12) Casey Mears - A good driver that has found something. He still has some ground to make up as he is only in 23rd right now. Another win or a couple top 3 finishes will keep him moving up in the standings.

WILDCARD - Mark Martin - If he were running a full schedule he would be a shoo-in. He may fall just short as he says he is not running additional races to make the Chase. Has four top 5's in the 11 races he has started. He is close to getting a win.

Remembering France

The NASCAR world remembers Bill France Jr. while laying him to rest last Thursday. Bill Jr. took control of NASCAR in 1972, and his legacy was cemented when he brought large corporations in as NASCAR sponsors and the sport has never looked back. France also brought live television coverage of NASCAR races to the American public starting with the 1979 Daytona 500.