Let's cut to the Chase.(NASCAR)

Can't wait until after Richmond to see which drivers will be in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup? Good news: To get the inside scoop, staff writer Lee Spencer asked a veteran, high-profile owner to predict which drivers will make the Chase and where each will stand after the finale at Homestead.

1. Jimmie Johnson. He's got it going on. Everything is clicking: the cars, the driver, the team. Right now his cars are the best in the garage, and he has been very, very lucky. This team is heads and tails above the rest, and he's not just scoring top fives; he's scoring top threes.

2. Matt Kenseth. Matt knows what it takes to win races and the title. The No. 17 is the same caliber as the No. 48 (Johnson). It's a strong, solid team, but Matt won't win as many races this year as Jimmie. He's always there at the end, but it takes him too long to get there.

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. He's a natural racer like his dad, but there's still a few chips missing on the team. He hasn't got the whole package put together, and he's not leading or dominating races when his equipment is right. He needs to ease up and be careful, rather than overdriving a bad car, so he can still produce top five finishes. Junior has had some bad races this year, and there are tracks on the circuit that will psych him out.

4. Jell Gordon. Never count him out. He'll run well enough to win the championship, but there will be more problems along the way. His luck has been terrible, and he can't afford any more DNFs.

5. Elliott Sadler. He has really impressed me this season. Elliott doesn't do stupid stuff behind the wheel. When he runs bad, he can still salvage a top 15 finish.

6. Ryan Newman. Ryan is running well, but he's not dominating races like he did in the past. He ...