Week 35 -- Phoenix (Chase Round 9)
We're getting close to the end, and can't you feel the suspense building? Phoenix may not decide the championship, but it will definitely set the table for whatever happens next Sunday at Homestead. Every point for Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards will be crucial if they hope to have a legitimate shot at catching Tony Stewart. And all three are starting in the top 10 this Sunday.
GLENN'S TEN:
* Jeff Gordon (winner) -- Phoenix is one of four tracks where Jeff Gordon hasn't won. But unlike the other three, this place he actually has been consistently in the top 10. Last year he was third. The car qualified 10th in race trim late in the qualifying session when the track was heating up. He'll finally break into victory lane here.
REST OF THE TOP 10 (in no particular order):
* Jimmie Johnson -- will get a good finish and gain points on Tony Stewart, but not as many as he'd like.
* Carl Edwards -- Would be my pick to win if I didn't feel so strongly about Gordon. Carl is on a tear, having won the past two Cup races and Saturday night's Busch race from the pole. We'll see if he can make some serious inroads on Tony's lead.
* Tony Stewart -- He'll keep the other Chasers close to him at the finish.
* Denny Hamlin -- OK, I'm a believer now. The kid won the pole in just his fifth start, and he's coming off several top 10s. Look for Denny to be big stuff in next year's deep rookie class.
* Greg Biffle -- Biff's title chances look slim, but this is a Roush track.
* Kurt Busch -- Kurt's title chances look less than slim, but this is a Roush track.
* Mark Martin -- *Sigh* Do I need to repeat myself...
* Ryan Newman -- He ran his first career race at this track. Could be a top 10 day.
* Jeff Burton -- When he was a Roushketeer he used to win races here. Don't count him out from having a good day.
ALSO WATCHING: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Back-to-back victories in this race, but I can't find a home for him in the top 10? Yeah, I'll probably live to regret this pick)... Matt Kenseth (Only Rousher I left off the list)... Rusty Wallace (Forget the Chase -- he's out of it anyhow -- this is about trying to get one more win before his career is over)... Kyle Busch (Starts 15th, but has run into trouble lately).
