Mighty Chase Field Blows Into Windy City
Five past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions pepper the field. A few more seem likely to win a title in the future. Another is the eight-time Most Popular Driver. All are multi-race winners.

This season’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field just might be the strongest ever, making it seem like Jimmie Johnson’s five-year title run may finally come to an end.

Four other champions are taking aim: Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth.

Three names who often come up during the “future champion” discussion are also vying for 2011 crown: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin.

Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Ryan Newman are all in the top 50 on the all-time series wins list – and all are Daytona 500 champions.

Then there’s the dark horse, who actually might be the favorite: Brad Keselowski. Keselowski nabbed the first Wild Card spot, and is arguably the hottest driver right now. Keselowski scored 362 points in the Race to the Chase – the 10 races preceding the Chase. Only Jeff Gordon (392) scored more.