NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Is Carl Edwards a Legit Title Contender?

With less than a handful of races left before the Chase starts, a common question is being thrown around: Can Carl Edwards push Jimmie Johnson off his throne? While that seems like an impossible task after looking back at the last five years, I'm going to bite the bullet and say yes he can.

Follow me as I give you some reasons why I think Edwards may be our next champion.

He's Competitive

Year after year, Carl Edwards is competitive. And it isn't just in one series, its in all the ones he puts effort into.

This experience has helped him this year and it looks like he's finally figured out how not to just be competitive, but to be the winner as well. Edwards has come close to the Cup in the past, but he's never been quite this close before.

Leading the Points

Carl Edwards is currently tied for the points lead right now, but he's been topping the points for a lot of the season.

Sure, Kevin Harvick did the same thing last year and didn't win the Chase but Edwards has a nice record going into the Chase and doesn't look to be faltering at all during the last stretch of the season.

Top 10s

Carl Edwards has 14 Top 10 finishes in 22 races. That is more that 63% of all the races the Cup series has ran this year. Even better, his Top five percentage is at 54%.

He's tied with Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson in top 10 finishes, but the next highest one is three below them at 11 top 10 finishes.

Points

While Carl Edwards only has one win, which will make him lose the points lead when the Chase begins unless he goes on a winning rampage, he will still be able to make up spots in the standings.

If my calculations are correct and no one in the top 10 wins any more races before the Chase, he will be tied for fifth with four other drivers (Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick will get the points lead). Fifth seems like a ways down when there are only 12 drivers, but its not too far behind the points leaders.

No Nationwide Worries

In the past, Carl Edwards has been doing double duty, going after Nationwide and Cup titles. With the new rule making that impossible, Edwards can now focus totally on the Cup car. He may be in the Nationwide car during the Chase, but there's no worries about winning that title as well.

Jimmie Johnson Is Slipping

While there are contenders out there other than Jimmie Johnson, Johnson doesn't seem to be at his best this year and Carl Edwards is ready for it.

Johnson is only six points behind Edwards with two less top five finishes (and no Poles compared to Edwards' two), but if Johnson can't better his performances, Edwards has to be one of the top favorites for the title this year.

Mini Chad better watch out, with Edwards and his team doing so well and the No. 48 team struggling, Edwards may be drinking one can of Johnson's elusive six pack this season.