One of the fun facts about NASCAR is that it's anybody's race. Last year's top three aren't even in the chase this year (Stewart, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards). Nobody would have expected rookie Denny Hamlin to make it. But Edwards proved last year that a rookie can make it. And Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. proved that veterans can fall out.

So who's going to win the championship this year? Let's take a look at the contenders:

Matt Kenseth - He's got the momentum, he's go the car, he's got the team, he's got the skills. Could it be championship #3 for Jack Roush? Quite possibly.

Jimmie Johnson - Despite his pathetic performance tonight, you can't count Johnson out. Every year he's been in contention. It's only a matter of time before he wins one. With his big wins this year (Daytona, Talladega, Indy) it'd be a nice year to bring it home. However, he also hasn't won it the past several years. After leading all year he's given up the top spot to Kenseth. Is it choke time already?

Kevin Harvick - This guy is on fire. He seems to be coming out of nowhere, just like he did to win the race tonight. Paired with his momentum from the Busch series I think Harvick will be a force.

Kyle Busch - Impressive run for this youngster, but I don't think he has what it takes. Much like Edwards last year, Busch just isn't as consistent. He's done well enough to be fourth in the standings, but I don't think he runs up front enough like Johnson and Kenseth to make it.

Denny Hamlin - Even more impressive run for this guy. Again, I don't think he has the experience.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Making the chase was a win for him. He's been so much better this year, but I think he's lacking the consistency. He may be in every other TV commercial, but he doesn't run up front enough.

Mark Martin - Ah, my favorite driver, the old-timer veteran in the Chase, again. As much as I love Martin, and as much as I love his four-time runner-up status, I'm not sure he's good enough this year. He isn't running well enough. Where are the wins? He'll come close, like he always does, but unless he really turns it up I think he'll end his Nextel career without a championship.

Jeff Burton - It is so good to see him running better. It's been a while and it's nice to see him back. Again, he's lacking the consistent, good finishes and he's lacking the win. I hope to see Burton get a win before the year is out, but he needs to work on closing before he can think about a championship.

Jeff Gordon - Like Earnhardt, getting back in the Chase this year is a win. I sound like a broken record, but Gordon isn't consistent enough this year. Not sure what happened, he used to be unstoppable.

Kasey Kahne - After the start of this year it would have been a shame to not see Kahne in the Chase. Well he made it, barely. If he can manage to be as consistent as he was in the beginning of the year, I think he'll do well. Maybe not win it, but he could end up in the top 5.

So in case you can't tell, I think consistency's the key. You've got to run well every single race. You've got to run up front and finish up front. My pick for the championship? That's never easy. I'm going to say Kenseth, which means I'll probably be wrong.

And I'm going to go out on a limb and say Tony Stewart comes back on a tear. You'll have people complaining that the Chase format kept him out of the championship.