Defending series champion Jimmie Johnson thinks Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski are the championship co-favorites.
With the regular season set to conclude and the Chase for the Sprint Cup on the horizon, it's that time of the year when the eyes of NASCAR turn to the defending and six-time series champion.
But just as Jimmie Johnson becomes the benchmark for which others measure themselves, he in turn is assessing the competition and who might be the likeliest challengers to his throne.
"I still feel like the No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) just has raw speed everywhere we go," Johnson said Friday at Richmond International Raceway. "If it wasn't for bad luck that they've had, I think they could have eight wins maybe; maybe even north of eight wins. So, I still put the No. 4 as the lead guy right now.
"At times, I would say the No. 24 (Jeff Gordon) has been rolling and has had momentum on his side. I can also say the No. 2 (Brad Keselowski) fits in there. I think those are kind of the three favorites in my mindset right now."
Like Johnson, Gordon and Keselowski have won three races this season, while Harvick owns a pair of victories with near-wins in several other races. Gordon is a four-time Cup champion (1995, 1997-1998, 2001), Keselowski won took the title two years ago, and Harvick is looking for his first.
If can win a seventh title it move him into a tie with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most Cup championships in NASCAR history. He won five consecutive championships from 2006 to 2010, and a sixth last season.
"Right now, it's an opportunity to win this year's championship," Johnson said. "It's kind of been that way for me over the years, even when we had that consecutive streak going.
"I didn't feel the pressure of that streak, and I don't think I'll feel the pressure to try to tie our two greats in our sport until it's right there in front of me. Right now, it's just the championship."
A restructuring of the Chase format has emphasized winning, with consistency no longer paramount to securing a championship. Four drivers will be eliminated every three races, and a victory assures a driver advancement to the next round. This will setup a winner-take-all finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"I still feel like once we get in the Chase, the first three segments are very similar to what we've had in the past," Johnson said. "If you're winning race and collecting a lot of points, you're going to transfer. And if you are winning races and collecting a lot of points, you're in a great position for the championship.
"To me, the big difference is Homestead and four drivers with the same point value going for the championship."
As it has since 2011, the Chase begins next week at Chicagoland Speedway. Though he has come close numerous times, Johnson is winless at the 1.5-mile oval. And a victory would carry extra importance not just because of the playoff implications, but because of it's the home track of crew chief Chad Knaus.
"My own personal goal and really, kind of a team goal, is to win there for Chad," Johnson said. "I've been able to win at my home track (Auto Club Speedway) a few times and we've been really close in Chicago for Chad.
"Obviously, the focus is in starting off the Chase on the right foot and getting a win so we can transfer; second goal would be to run in the top five again and cover the points-side, and then in there as well would be winning at Chad's home track."
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