In Misty’s perfect world, here is how the 2011 Chase would shake out.

1. Jeff Gordon (no explanation needed)
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (Come on underdog!)
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Tony Stewart (would be equally happy if Tony were 2^nd, but then the HMS sweep would be slightly compromised)
5. Ryan Newman (only cause he completes the HMS linked sweep)
6. Kyle Busch (would be higher except for my HMS dream)
7. Matt Kenseth (super nice guy)
8. Carl Edwards (let’s keep the Fords together)
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Kurt Busch
12. Denny (“Silver Pen”) Hamlin

However, as much as I like to think the world revolves around me, I know it doesn’t and here is where I would put my money if I were a gambler.

1. Jeff Gordon (hey he has the momentum and the Drive for Five is alive!)
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Kyle Busch
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Tony Stewart (not a stellar season so far, but his consistency is going to get him a solid spot)
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Carl Edwards
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Ryan Newman
10. Kurt Busch
11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
12. Denny Hamlin

So it’s CHASE time! We all know WHO is in the chase- but it’s a question of where they will finish.

If I had my way the Sprint Cup Season standings would look like this after the final race in Homestead:

1. Tony Stewart (bookend championships on Jimmie’s championships)
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Kyle Busch
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Ryan Newman
9. Carl Edwards
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Denny Hamlin
12. Kurt Busch

However- I don’t get a say since the boys have to race it out.  How do I **think** it will actually play out?

1. Kyle Busch
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Tony Stewart (prove me WRONG Tony…do better…please)
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Ryan Newman
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Carl Edwards
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr
11. Kurt Busch
12. Denny Hamlin

I have to admit it was REALLY hard not to put Tony number 1 in the second list as well. How AWESOME would that be for Tony to cap off a weird season with Stewart-Haas Racing’s first Championship.  I might be the eternal optimist when it comes to Tony’s racing- but I have not watched this season from rose colored glasses…Stewart’s team has struggled all season. I will say this though- I do think that Stewart will NOT go winless this season (fingers and all other cross-able appendages crossed)!

Watch for a post by Misty for her picks on the standings for the Sprint Cup.

Please feel free to share yours in the comments!