As the 2006 season is getting low, we see one shining spirit rising in Phoenix. This is the race that will bring the Cup contender into the headlights. We still have 5 strong Chasers coming into the second to last race for the Championship. This means there is 900 miles between us and the Cup. We still have a lot of driving to do before vacation, and a lead foot at this point is a given. With 2 weeks left in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season, we start heading south for the winter. We stop in Phoenix, on our way to Homestead.

The Racers Race is winding down as well for the year. So I had decided to do my two favorite editions of this blog series to end the year. We have The Dime this week, fallowed by a Diamond Edition for the last race of the year in Miami. It's about that time of the year. GET!

Racers Race: Phoenix Rising

Dime Edition

 2:30ET Sunday 11/12 NBC

1. Has to be appropriate for #48 Jimmie Johnson. He has shined in all the right places this season. A small race at the begining of the year in Daytona, and a bright afternoon at the Brickyard. He has a ton of heat waiting for him in Miami, and he has to stay warm this weekend in Phoenix. He has never placed outside the top 15 at this track, but that won't be good enough at this point. You can bet Hendrick Motorsports and Knaus is bringing only the best car in the garage to Phoenix, and it will probably come off the hauler dialed for the green. Can JJ finally keep it chill in the late season heat?

2. Matt Kenseth #17 has been the definition of consistent for years now. He is #1 at RR and is a sure bet to be up front in any race he is in. He has had his share of trouble in this years Chase, but no one would dare count him out. He knows how to win championships. He knows more then the #48 for sure.

3. What a survivor Junior has become. He could be battling his luck, his cousin, his heritage, or the flu on any given weekend. After missing the Chase last year, June Bug has fought for every single position at every race this season. None of its been easy. He has proven strong and durable, and needs to answer to the question of consistent. His chances of the Cup are really good, and half the world would think that #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr would look great with the title Cup Champion.

4. How do you write a better-storied season then the one #11 Denny Hamlin has had? This is just down right incredible what this rookie has done in his first year in the big leagues. For him to win the Nextel Cup would knock out the NASCAR Nation. He has a great shot sitting in 4th and only -80 points out of the dream. Plus he is the real deal, and has plenty of more Championships to Chase. For everybody that didn't believe me that he was the dark horse in this years Chase, just look where he sits right now. He has 900 miles left to go, and 2 great cars he will be driving them with. FAST!

5. I wrote a blog not to long ago about this seasons lack of a black hat. I wrote about Harvick making waves in the Busch Series, but was a no show in the Cup. #29 Kevin Harvick is the perfect bad guy for NASCAR, but was falling short of his potential. Look how much things can change come Chase time. He is a huge threat for this Championship, and you can bet he knows it. Starting at the outside of the pole for this weekend in Phoenix makes his threat even stronger. Welcome back, black hat!  

6. The #24 has been a tough sell for this years Chase. Jeff Gordon will always be a Champion, but it looks like this year was not in the cards for him. Maybe it's the engagement, or the wedding, whatever it is, he hasn't brought enough to the table this year to make too many headlines on the track. But fear not Gordon fans; he still has a chance to be in Championship photos. He is a part owner of the #48. And he would like everyone to know that!  

7. As for the rest of the Chasers, they don't stand a chance. Kyle Busch's shot at the title was over by the first race. Kasey Kahne did an amazing job getting into the Chase, but was wrecked by Tony Stewart, which wrecked his chances of making a strong run. Again, next year will be Kahne's year. As for Mark Martin, well even he knows a championship does not define him.  

8. Don't think I forgot about Jeff Burton. He got his win he needed. He got into the Chase. And he had a Championship caliber year. He found some tough luck in the Chase. Found some engine problems, found some walls, and found the garage more then once while the rest were still racing. But all wasn't lost of his resurgence to the top of the league. He found some of his old fans!  

9. Only two races left. I always don't like seeing the NASCAR season come to an end. But when it does, I know that the Daytona 500 is right around the corner. Were only three months away till Speed Week!  

10. So much talk about changes to the Chase format. As I see it this year, everything has worked out to be a great playoff season. I do admit it still needs tweaking, and I have heard some great ideas from a ton of people. It reminds me of the blog entry I posted back in July. I will repost it sometime this next week.