And then there were four. Four drivers, each with a tremendous storyline attached to them that makes the 2015 NASCAR season finale enthralling. Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick each have a legitimate chance at the Championship. Let’s look at these four Championship contenders and how they got here.

           Martin Truex Jr.: Truex is easily the least accomplished of the four. With only three career victories to his name, the idea of Truex being a Championship contender is surprising. Hell, no one really had him even in the Chase much less in the Final Four. Furniture Row racing was a low budget team that came to the forefront when Kurt Busch had nearly worn out his welcome with NASCAR. Busch was able to give Furniture Row a good season which got them on the map. Busch bolted, and an at the time disgraced Truex joined. Truex of course was involved in the Clint Bowyer-Jeff Gordon-Ryan Newman Chase dilemma where Bowyer purposely spun out to give Truex a spot (which was overturned). Truex had a bad year in 2014, finishing 24^th in points. He shockingly started with 14 top 10s out of 15 races this year and won at Pocono. He got to the Chase with pure consistency: 13^th, 8^th, 11^th in Round 1, 3^rd, 15^th and 7^th in Round 2 and 6^th, 8^th, 14^th in Round 3. Fortunately for Truex, he’s done quite well at Homestead in his career, with 3 Top 5s, 7 Top 10s (8 Top 11s) in 10 starts there. If things go wrong for the other contenders a solid 5^th can win the title. I don’t think he will, but expect him to finish as a runner-up in the standings. If you like underdogs, Truex is your pick.

             Kyle Busch: What a wild ride for Kyle Busch. He started the season with a broken leg, came back 12 races later and had to manage to both get a top 30 points finish and win a race. He won 4 races and got in the top 30 with races to spare. Unlike in the past, Busch did well enough in the Chase to have a shot at the end. 9^th, 37^th and 2^nd in Round 1. 20^th, 5^th and 11^th in Round 2. Finally, a strong 5^th, 4^th and 4^th in Round 3. Kyle’s never really run well at Homestead, he has one top 5 in 10 starts (a 4^th in 2012). But, I think this is Kyle’s time. Expect Kyle to be in the hunt as he’s starting third. He should be up front almost all day and might even take the whole race down. There has been a lot of inconsistent frustration with Kyle, but he’s put it all together this time. He’s my pick to win the Championship.

            Kevin Harvick: Seemingly the favorite for sure. Harvick of course won Phoenix and then this race last year to win the title. Harvick’s been great all year; 27 Top 10s is a pretty great number, but I can’t help but feel that his Chase that been a bit disappointing. He had to win at Dover to get into Round 2 (42^nd, 21^st and 1^st), he outright caused a wreck at Talladega that if it has been three seconds later he’d miss the next round (as Dale Earnhardt Jr. would have probably won and took Harvick’s spot) with a 2^nd, 16^th and 15^th. He did have a strong last round with an 8^th, 3^rd and 2^nd. Still, I like Kyle’s momentum better for whatever reason. Harvick has been consistently great at Homestead throughout his career. A win, five Top 3s, 6 Top 5s, 12 Top 10s in 14 starts. So maybe I’m crazy for not picking him. Anyway, if you like the start of a potentially new dynasty, Harvick is your guy.

            Jeff Gordon: Like him or hate him, it is absolutely incredible that the great Jeff Gordon’s last race allows him to race for a Championship. It hasn’t been Gordon’s greatest season (far from it really), but he’s pulled the rich man’s Ryan Newman from last year with a 14^th, 7^th and 12^th, followed by an 8^th, 10^th and 3^rd. He outright won Martinsville and followed that with a 9^th and a 6^th. So he’s running well. I think we’re getting an 8^th place which probably doesn’t win the title though. Gordon does have some Homestead credentials though. He won here in 2012, has 7 Top 5s, and 12 Top 10s in 16 starts. He’s the sentimental favorite, and a Championship win to cap off an amazing career where he’s arguably a top 3 NASCAR driver of all time (I could see arguments for 1^st honestly) would be incredible.

I think Kyle Busch finishes 2^nd, Truex 4th,  Harvick 5th and Gordon 8^th . Before the Chase I picked Harvick to win this race, but I don’t quite feel it. I think Jimmie Johnson makes a statement with a win here.

One more thing. All NASCAR fans, whether they loved or hated Jeff Gordon, has to thank and respect him for what he did. He did in the late 90s with Tiger Woods did for golf, what Magic, Bird and Jordan did for the NBA. NASCAR became a huge deal because of Jeff Gordon. Gordon’s late 90s run was up there with the most impressive dynasties in any professional sport (Gordon from 1994 through 2001: 58 victories, four Championships (’95, ’97, ’98, ’01), a runner up (’96), three Brickyard 400s (’94, ’98, ’01) and Two Daytona 500s (’97, ’99). He ended up with a staggering 93 victories, added the 2005 Daytona 500, 2004 and 2014 Brickyard 400s. And maybe, just maybe he adds the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup. I know I’ll be rooting for him. Thank you Jeff Gordon.