NASCAR Sprint Cup: Non-Chase Sleepers Abound at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway last night provided very interesting results . 

I am not one to put too much stock in qualification, especially this year, but this round is truly shaping up to birth the first non-Chase winner in the the Chase season so far.

Out of the top-12 qualifying efforts, only five were Chase drivers.  All 12 recorded speeds of over 191 mph.

As the trends go for the 2011 season, Tony Stewart does not pose a major threat to win based on his qualification in pole position.  It has happened only once this year, when his teammate and employee, Ryan Newman, pulled out a victory from the pole at New Hampshire.

Otherwise, pole position has been almost a bad luck charm for would-be winners.

Look for A.J. Allmendinger and Greg Biffle to run strong.  Do not, repeat do not, ignore Kasey Kahne. He ran strong last week and has run well in his last stand with his sponsor, Red Bull. He could easily take the checkered flag if things go his way. 

Charlotte seems like Carl Edwards' chance to shine or shrivel.  So far, he has averaged a fifth-place finish through four Chase races.  After qualifying third at Charlotte, he has positioned himself to continue his solid and consistent 2011 Chase run.

On the heels of a dominating performance at Kansas, five-time champ Jimmie Johnson put in a solid qualifying run, finishing ninth. There is no reason to doubt that he will not repeat his great performance from last week.

Still, with so many non-Chase drivers finishing solidly in qualification this week, it seems inevitable that Charlotte will produce the first non-Chase winner of the Chase season.

Prediction:  Kasey Kahne. 

Desire:  A.J. Allmendinger. He is the most deserving driver to have never earned a Sprint Cup victory.