It's possibly the most anticipated weekend in NASCAR aside from the first week of the season.  After 26 grueling races, it has come down to 10 races to decide a champion.

Twelve drivers are ready to go for the championship, and the time to go for it begins now.  Plus, it also begins at a new starting point.  NASCAR is heading to the midwest, to an area that is known more about men like Brian Urlacher and Michael Jordan.  The Chicagoland Speedway is now the host track for the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Making its debut in 2002, this 1.5-mile track has provided a lot of excitement for drivers and fans alike, and now that it is included in the Chase, expect that to increase.

But, it also has made for a difficult decison for our writers.  With this being the first race in the Chase, all 11 writers now must follow one important rule.  The driver they pick this week CANNOT be the one they pick next week, nor for the remainder of the Chase.

So, this creates strategy and a lot of thinking to decide who to pick for victory.  However, the time has come to reveal those decisions.

Here's who the guys and gals in this year's Victory Pool chose to take the win in the first Chase race, the Geico 400:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Tony Stewart

I was considering saving Stewart for Loudon.  But now that Chicagoland is in the chase it is too good of an opportunity to pass it as it could result in his first victory of 2011.

In 10 starts, Smoke has two wins, seven top-fives, eight top-10's, 396 laps lead (which is the most of all drivers), and an average finish of 9.50. Both times Stewart has won at Chicagoland those were his first victories of the seaosn.

Sunday could add to that stat.

 

James Broomhead:  Brad Keselowski

The first Chase race might just be the hardest to pick. Chicagoland is new to the Chase this year, so the race has shifted to an entirely different time of year than the Summer slot that has been its previous home.

On top of that place the strategy us writers need to the Chase. Only picking a driver once. Do you pick a Johnson, Gordon or Busch for the first race, or save them for down the stretch? For a regular season race with this many unknowns you could pick a dependable without fear, but now, this week not so much.

With that in mind I’m rolling the dice first race out the gate. Let’s not forget ‘Kes’ is still the form man in the field – the man who raced his way into the chase more than anyone else and, dare I say it – the man with the momentum.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Jeff Gordon

Wanted to go with a few other drivers but decided to save them. So, going with a driver who has been hot lately and finished second at Chicago last year.

 

Billy Fellin:  Jeff Gordon

I'll go with the hot hand coming into the Chase. The 24 is on a tear and the 1.5 milers have been kind to Gordon. Chase race number one goes to the DuPont Chevy.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Tony Stewart

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Brad Keselowski

Time to burn my Keselowski pick right now while he's still hot.

 

Kara Martin:  Carl Edwards

No reason given.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Carl Edwards

No reason given.

 

Dustin Parks:  Matt Kenseth

Well, considering I enter this Chase with no victories, I am facing a tough road to get back into contention.  I kinda feel like Gordon from last year, no wins entering but still have a fighting chance.

However, I opted to save my No. 24 pick for later in the year.  Instead, I'm going with the top winner from Roush-Fenway Racing to win at Chicagoland.  He is the top Ford currently in the Chase, as only two are in the title hunt this year, but has the better statistics at this track.

Maybe it's playing it safe, but I need to get a win, and bad.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Matt Kenseth

Even though a Ford has never gone to victory lane at this track, this is also the first time Chicagoland is represented in the Chase.

Who better to get Ford's first win than a driver who has had a good season so far, and has the experience to overcome all obstacles and make a run at the championship.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Jeff Gordon

Has there been a racer on the Cup circuit that's run as well as Jeff Gordon this summer? Besides Brad Keselowski, Driver 24 has been on a tear!

He's improved drastically at the intermediates this season and I can't help but remember his strong runs at Kansas, Pocono, and Atlanta as to why we might see that DuPont Chevy in Victory Lane this weekend. Also, he's a previous winner here, by virtue of the bump and run with Matt Kenseth in 2006.

This time, I'm certain that Gordon will convincingly win this race.

Standings following Richmond:

Michael Hirshbein (2015) Kyle Busch finished sixth (5)

Sal Sigala Jr. (2012) Kyle Busch finished sixth (4)

Kelly Crandall (2009) Kyle Busch finished sixth (3)

Christopher Leone (2009) Matt Kenseth finished 23rd (3)

Misan Ayuka (2009) Carl Edwards finished second (3)

James Broomhead (2006) Denny Hamlin finished ninth (2)

Billy Fellin (2006) Kyle Busch finished sixth (2)

Ryan O'Hara (2006) Jeff Gordon finished 3rd (2)

Rob Tiongson (2006) Jeff Gordon finished second (2)

Kara Martin (2003) Denny Hamlin finished ninth (1)

Dustin Parks (2000) Denny Hamlin finished ninth (0)

 

Final Thoughts:  There are a lot of new things this year in regards to the Chase.  A new way of bonus points being distributed, a new "wild card" addition, and now a new track added to the 10-race battle.

It creates a lot of unknowns, but it does make for plenty of excitement as the championship battle begins.

Coverage begins Sunday on ESPN at 1:00 p.m. ET.  The race will go green an hour later, as NASCAR has moved the start time ahead due to NFL football.

 

Summary of Picks:

Jeff Gordon-3

Carl Edwards-2

Brad Keselowski-2

Matt Kenseth-2

Tony Stewart-2