2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup Odds, Free Picks & Predictions: Favorites and Contenders

2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup Odds, Free Picks & Predictions – Favorites and Contenders: The regular season is in the books, and the 2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. There will be 16 drivers that begin the quest for the title, and every three races, four will be eliminated. The last four standing will compete for the championship in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and the top finisher among the four remaining drivers will take home the crown. Here is a closer look at the drivers to beat heading into the Chase opener Sunday at Chicagoland.

2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup Odds, Free Picks & Predictions: Favorites and Contenders

The Favorites

Defending series champ Kevin Harvick hasn’t slowed down at all in 2015. He scored the most driver points during the regular season while leading all drivers in laps led, fastest laps run, driver rating and average running position. While he has only won two races so far, he has finished second an incredible 10 times. His ability to advance through the playoffs with both wins and consistency makes him a safe bet to be defending his title at Homestead in the season finale.

He won the Daytona 500 to open the year, and Joey Logano hasn’t slowed down since. He ranks second in the series in average finish, top-five finishes, top-10s and laps led heading into the playoffs, and he has been at his best in recent weeks, compiling a 3.2 average finish over the last five races and winning twice. Logano made it all the way to the final race last year, and he looks poised to be back competing for a title again this season.

While he hasn’t been as consistent as some other big names, the playoffs always bring out the best in Jimmie Johnson. After all, he is a six-time series champ, and no driver has won more races during the Chase than Johnson, and it’s not even close. He will also start the Chase tied atop the standings after winning a series-best four races during the regular season. He could join Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty with seven titles by the time the season ends.

After suffering a broken leg and broken foot at Daytona, it seemed like Kyle Busch would have to wait until 2016 for another shot at a title. Instead, he managed to win four times and qualify for the Chase despite missing 11 races. Incredibly, he also ranks in the top 10 in both laps led and fastest laps run despite missing almost have the season. Busch has always had the talent to win a championship, and his injury has him on a mission that could end with a title.

The Contenders

His dominating win at Richmond to close the regular season was the third victory for Matt Kenseth in the last six races, and as a result, he will open the Chase tied for first by virtue of his four wins. He is one of five drivers that have recorded double-digit top-five finishes this year, and Kenseth also ranks third in fastest laps run and fourth in laps led. His lone championship to date came the year before the Chase was introduced, but armed with momentum and plenty of speed, Kenseth could add a second championship to his resume in 2015.

For a driver that started the season suspended, Kurt Busch has certainly made up for lost time. He ranks second in the series in driver rating and fourth in average finish, and despite missing three races, he ranks third in laps led and fourth in fastest laps run. Plain and simple, Busch has been one of the fastest drivers on the track on a routine basis, and the 2004 champ could be a real force in the Chase.

He came out of nowhere to win the title in 2012, and Brad Keselowski has established himself as one of the best in the series in the years since. He went through a bit of lull in the middle of the season, but heading into the Chase, he ranks second in fastest laps run, fourth in driver rating and average green flag speed and fifth in laps led. Keselowski has more than enough speed to win another title, and he has already shown he can seal the deal.

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