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With the Chase for the Championship down to 12 drivers and 10 races.. kicking off this weekend at Dover International Speedway, I wondered whom the NASCAR fans were rooting for or hoping to see come out on top.

There are a lot of very interesting story lines..

Start with Jimmy Johnson.. going for the Four-Peat, never before done in NASCAR history. There are some folks who think this would be good for the sport, others who think it would be bad. You might have an opinion.

Next is Mark Martin.. the old man came back to race full time for Hendrick for one reason and one reason only, for a shot at the championship. After a slow start, Martin got it going and ended up winning the most races this season and is the first seed in the Championship Chase. Heavy Sentimental Favorite among the causal fan.

Tony Stewart.. Smoke left the comfort, money, and experience of Joe Gibbs racing to become an owner-driver partner with Stewart/Haas.. in the Modern Era, Owner-Driver teams have been disasters, with few successes and none since the 90's.. Smoke not only ended the regular season 1st in points, his car has looked dominate and saw his teammates car Ryan Newman join him in the chase. Can a first year owner/driver win the Cup Championship ?

Denny Hamlin.. Everyone expected a Joe Gibbs car in the chase, few thought it would be the #11 over the #18. Kyle Busch might be NASCAR's most flamboyant driver, but Hamlin is among the sharpest. Hamlin has been in the chase before, so he isn't thrilled just to be there and wouldn't surprise me if he is internally motivated to show folks he is the best driver in the Gibbs stable.

Jeff Gordon.. The Dupont #24 driver hasn't been a serious championship contender in a while and with rumors of an impending retirement starting to make the rounds, one has to wonder if the Rainbow Warrior is gunning for a high note to go out on. With four championships to his credit, Gordon would stand alone behind Petty and Earnhardt and if he won, making this chase the drive for five.

Juan Pablo Montoya.. the former F1 star and CART Champion has come of age. After two seasons of flashes of brilliance followed by flashes of temper and poor driving the Colombian put it all together in less then first rate equipment to make the chase. After blowing the Brickyard, the Cup Championship might be what he needs to shake off the bad taste.

Brian Vickers.. he had to race his way end, fending off Kyle Busch and overtaking Matt Kenseth in the final event at Richmond. The Red Bull driver has shown amazing determination and the team which isn't considered one of the top tier factory teams still got it done, mostly by getting hot over the last 10 races.. can they continue that through the final ten ?

Add to that Team Rousch (Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle), the #2 of Penske Racing Kurt Busch and Dodge's sole car in the Chase, the #9 of Kasey Kahne and you have the makings of the best Championship Chase since the Chase started and certainly the most interesting story lines.