Jeff Gordon Will Bounce Back and Kyle Busch Will Rise to the Top

This will be the 2009 final standings after the chase is over. In parentheses is the number of wins for the driver for the year.

Just short of Chase: 15. Clint Bowyer 14. Jaime McMurray 13. Tony Stewart

12. Matt Kenseth (0)

He always makes the Chase, but will not be a threat.

11. Denny Hamlin (1)

Struggles at the end of the year, but is solid.

10. Brian Vickers (1)

Great driver, improving team, Speed will help as well.

9. David Ragan (1)

Breakout last year Chase this year. Would have been there last year if he wasn't caught in other's mess.

8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2)

Will take home the 500 and a win in Talladega—but overall, a disappointment again.

7. Mark Martin (1)

Chase would be a solid year for the vet—but he wants more.  I think all four Hendrick drivers could make the top four at year's end.

6. Kevin Harvick (3)

Solid driver will have some bad luck in the Chase.

5. Greg Biffle (2)

Not good enough all year to be a threat. Gets in too much trouble—and much is his own fault.

4. Jimmie Johnson (5)

The one thing I am sure about is that Jimmie will not win four in a row. That will never happen in NASCAR. I think Jimmie is laid back this year and will have more fun his place is set in the history books.

3. Carl Edwards (5)

A major threat to win it all, but I like the top two a little more.

2. Jeff Gordon (4)

Great bounce-back year for Gordon. I think he will be in the lead going to Miami, but he hates that track. Kyle beats him by less than 20 points for the crown.

1. Kyle Busch (6)

A great chase last year—and Kyle may have had the best year ever. They learned a lot and Addington is one of the best crew chiefs around.