Since February, the main goal of the teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was simple: make a run for the championship.  After 26 races, 12 drivers earned the right to compete for that title.  Some going for their first, others going for another, and one trying to extend a legacy.

After nine weeks of competition, the season has come down to one final race.

In the beginning of the Chase, 12 drivers were ready to do battle for the crown.  Now, with one last event on the schedule, two men are set to do battle to determine this year's champion.

Only three points separate Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart, and neither has laid down for the other in the last three weeks of action.  Stewart himself said Edwards wouldn't have an easy three weeks, and he backed up every bit of it.  Two wins and a third-place run meant he's put the heat on the driver of the Aflac Ford.

But, Edwards hasn't yielded.  He's stayed right there, and is ready to go to battle with the driver known simply as "Smoke."

As tight as the points are between these two drivers, the pool itself has seen changes over the last nine weeks of it's Chase.  Seven points separate the top two, while just 18 separate the top five.  In theory, 10 of the 11 writers have a mathematic possibility to get a win in the inaugural pool on Fan Vs. Fan.

But who is going to predict correctly?  Who's going to make a charge with one race to go?  Who will take home the inaugural Fan Vs. Fan Victory Pool Championship?

That will be decided later Sunday night.  All the writers have made their selections for this final weekend of the year.  Take a look at who they have chosen to win the final race of 2011, the Ford 400, at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Kevin Harvick

Last race of the season and Harvick started the Chase out strong, but as of late has flatered and is now out of contention for his first championship.

Yet it doesn't mean he can't win a race.  Happy runs well at Homestead and he can clos eout 2011 on a high note.

 

James Broomhead:  Jeff Burton

Yep, this a strange pick, but you can’t argue with his recent form with three top fives in the last five races, add in two top tens on the last four visits to Homestead and that’s some strong numbers.

With everything hinging on this pick I thought about picking Greg Biffle or Kyle Busch to end the season, but with everything to be decided on a single race anything could happen!

 

Kelly Crandall:  Kasey Kahne

Really no good reason. Used up all my power players in the nine previous races and since I didn't pick Kasey last week here's to hoping that he's got some good momentum to end the season.

 

Billy Fellin:  Greg Biffle

Wish I could have hung onto Carl Edwards or Tony Stewart for this race, but sadly I didn't. I'm going to go with Carl's teammate Greg Biffle for the Ford 400 though.

Biffle has three wins at Homestead and the RFR Fords always run well at the track.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Kevin Harvick

Been listening to him all week on various radio shows and he wants to bring it this Sunday.

 

Christopher Leone:  A.J. Allmendinger

I'm towards the bottom anyway and used up just about everybody worth a damn in the Chase by now.

 

Kara Martin:  Kevin Harvick

No reason given.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Denny Hamlin

Cuz I said he would win.

 

Dustin Parks:  Greg Biffle

I was so torn choosing between drivers this week.  I couldn't go with Edwards nor Stewart since I already used them, and yet both would be a perfect choice for this race.  But when I got to thinking about it more, I realized Edwards has three guys that could help him out come Sunday.  Can't choose Kenseth since I already used him, and Ragan I just don't feel safe with him.

So, I went with a three-time winner at Homestead, and someone who has played second-fiddle to former champion Jimmie Johnson in years past.  This time, I'm going with the Biff to win the race, and assist greatly in helping his teammate win his first Sprint Cup title.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Kurt Busch

No reason given.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Carl Edwards

He's my man to win the title AND he's going to win the race. Last year, he was the reason for me winning this championship. I know he won't let me down, but then again, he probably hasn't heard of me!

As far as his racing goes, he's won at Homestead-Miami. Provided nobody else ahead of me picks him, I win! Good luck, y'all!

 

Standings following Phoenix:

James Broomhead (2326) Kevin Harvick finished 19th (3)

Michael Hirshbein (2319) Jimmie Johnson finished 14th (6)

Misan Ayuka (2318) Brad Keselowski finished 18th (4)

Rob Tiongson (2312) Kasey Kahne WON (4)

Dustin Parks (2308) Jimmie Johnson finished 14th (1)

Kelly Crandall (2308) Brad Keselowski finished 18th (5)

Billy Fellin (2303) Kyle Busch finished 36th (3)

Kara Martin (2302) Kurt Busch finished 22nd (1)

Christopher Leone (2301) Carl Edwards finished second (4)

Sal Sigala Jr. (2278) Jeff Gordon finished 32nd (5)

Ryan O'Hara (2268) Tony Stewart finished third (2)

 

Final Thoughts:  Every driver wants to be in the position both Stewart and Edwards are in right now.  Unfortunately, it is just those two that can go for the championship this year.  There is still a race to be run, and someone is still going to claim victory after 400 miles.

Who is the one that will take the victory?  Who will take home the pool championship?  Who's hoisting the trophy for winning the Sprint Cup title?

Find out on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

Summary of Picks:

Kevin Harvick-3

Greg Biffle-2

A.J. Allmendinger-1

Jeff Burton-1

Kurt Busch-1

Carl Edwards-1

Denny Hamlin-1

Kasey Kahne-1