Picking The Chase Results Is Easy, Being Right Is Hard

So, we have made it to the "Chase for the Cup." Ten races remain until a champion is crowned.

Here are my picks:

No. 12—Matt Kenseth. Matt has been been a non-factor most of the season. He will remain so in the chase.

No. 11—Kevin Harvick. With Childress committing to a fourth team next year, they may have lost a little focus, and Kevin will suffer for it.

No. 10—Jeff Gordon. It hurts to say this, because I have been a fan of Jeff for a long time, but they just don't have the grasp of this new car the way the 48 team does.

No. 9—Tony Stewart. His final 10 races with Joe Gibbs Racing will be unimpressive, as he begins to focus on Stewart Haas Racing for next year and JGR spends time with Joey Logano. By the way, Logano is going to make the Chase next year. You heard it here first!

No. 8—Greg Biffle. "The Biff" may have been premature in signing for another year with Rousch Fenway Racing. They may not give their best stuff to give him with Carl Edwards so close to a title.

No. 7—Denny Hamlin. With the focus has been on Kyle Busch's dominance during the regular season, Tony Stewart leaving, and rookie phenom Joey Logano on his way in, Hamlin will struggle. He may also lash out at someone on the track and cost himself points.

No. 6—Clint Bowyer. Clint's second straight Chase berth won't be his last, but it won't bring him first title either.

No. 5—Kyle Busch - He won't be able to keep up the pace from earlier this season. Plus, his inevitable impatience after a poor performance early in the Chase will lead to a stupid move on the track that will cause a huge hit in points that he will not be able to overcome.

No. 4—Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior should be happy with a fifth in points during is first year with a new team. The chemistry should have taken longer to come together. Next year, he will be in the hunt all year.

No. 3—Jeff Burton. A sentimental favorite, I just don't think that RCR has what it takes to overcome the cream of the crop. Not this year.

No. 2—Jimmie Johnson. As usual, Jimmie and Chad have performed really well and been consistent.  But they are not quite there, unless mechanical difficulties really mess with...

No. 1—Carl Edwards. Even with an early season points penalty, Carl has been in the hunt all year, and unlike Busch, he keeps his emotions in check and stays out of trouble. The only things that will prevent Carl from winning it all are mechanical problems, or getting crashed out a race. But that's all part of racing right?