NASCAR Chase to the Championship: 1 Race to Go

Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway did set the tone for what to expect this Sunday coming up at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and that is a 3 car battle for the title. However, in my opinion, I don't think there will be much drama.  Jimmie Johnson started on pole at Phoenix, led 1 lap and finished 3rd.  Matt Kenseth started towards the front, but had car issues all race, leading up to a 23rd place finish, did not lead a lap and finished 1 lap down.  The only other driver in the mix for the Championship is Kevin Harvick, who led a race-high 70 laps and won the AdvoCare 500.  Kasey Kahne came home 2nd, but has been long eliminated from the championship after miscues in Chicagoland.  The race however was eventful at times in where Joey Logano did push Johnson on the first lap and the 48 team was also involved in another minor incident halfway thru the race.  But it was at the end when Carl Edwards ran out of fuel with 2 laps to go and that allowed to have Harvick pass him for the lead, the win and still is alive in the championship hopes. 

With that being said, Jimmie Johnson leads Matt Kenseth by 28 points and Kevin Harvick by 34, the only 3 drivers still eligible for the title come around 6:30pm Sunday night.  For Johnson, he is in great shape and has to finish than 23rd (no laps led), 24th (with at least 1 lap led) or 25th (most laps led) regardless of what Kenseth or Harvick do.  Only way if both drivers have a chance to win the championship is if Johnson falters, gets caught in a wreck or mechanical issues.  If that doesn't work, congratulations Jimmie on your 6th NASCAR Championship.


NATIONWIDE SERIES
Not only the Sprint Cup series is having a wild points battle, but so is the Nationwide Series.  Kyle Busch dominated at Phoenix, leading 169 of 200 laps, but Austin Dillon finishes 3rd, 2 spots ahead of his contender, Sam Hornish Jr. and leads the Penske driver by 8 points coming into Homestead next Saturday.  Dillon will win his 1st Nationwide Series championship (before making the move to the Cup series in 2014) by finishing 3rd (no laps led), 4th (leads a lap) or 5th (leading most laps), regardless on how Hornish finishes.  Basically, Hornish, Jr. needs to win Saturday for any chance at a title. 

CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES
I don't really talk much about the Camping World Truck Series, but it was an exciting 2013 season for many drivers, especially how there were many different winners (Darrell Wallace, Jr., Jeb Burton, Timothy Peters, Johnny Sauter, Matt Crafton to name a few) as well as many exciting races like in Eldora, Mosport and Kansas.  The points battle hasn't been a factor and Matt Crafton will win his 1st Truck Series championship, just by starting Friday night's race at Homestead. 

Next weekend, championships will be crowned.