It’s time for someone to crash the party. Who is it going to be?

In 2010, Carl Edwards created a push that led to his near title in 2011. In 2011, Denny Hamlin seemed to recalibrate to his successful (except for last week 2011.) We’re now at a point where non-contenders make their push for 2013 mojo. Here are three likely contenders:

Kevin Harvick:

I get it. Harvick is in the Chase. But did you ever look at him at some point in 2012 and see a potential Sprint Cup Champion? The talent is there. The technology has not been. I can’t imagine that trend turning into a norm.

Kyle Busch:

This year has stunk for the #18. But Busch’s life is about to change with Matt Kenseth’s impending arrival. Busch could actually turn into the weakest link of Joe Gibbs Racing, a position Busch has never found himself in and almost seems unfathomable to type. When right, Busch is one of the best out there; I can’t imagine him not turning it around in one of these last races.

Joey Logano:

Driving the Pennzoil car has been like being a Spinal Tap drummer in recent years. Kurt Busch imploded. AJ Allmendinger did whatever he did. Sam Hornish Jr. didn’t do much. Now that ride, and the potential that goes with it, arrives in Logano’s lap. Big fast tracks suit him well and close out the season. Here’s to being the first “Logano makes the 2013 Chase,” rants sure to go wrong.

Speaking of wrong, I wasn’t last week. Jimmie Johnson’s win has me up a fake 132 dollars with three races to go. Here are my fake picks for entertainment’s sake alone.

18 fake dollars on Jimmie Johnson at 5/1
It’s not Johnson’s best track, but the margin for error is small. The #48 is one of two for sure contenders with three races to go. I’m picking him every week.

12 fake dollars on Brad Keselowksi at 8/1
I’m also picking Keselowski the rest of the way. The Blue Deuce has responded to every punch thrown his way all year. Plus, one more win guarantees tiebreakers work his way.

10 fake dollars on Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle at 10/1
Kenseth and Biffle both won here in the last two years. Plus, this is a Roush track. a

Carl Edwards has three careers wins here and made a big push late in 2010 to propel his near title win in 2011. I will cringe if he flips for a fourth time Sunday. Ditto Denny Hamlin, but I think he has to be toast after that electrical issue. Here’s what the Spread thinks about your favorite driver. Enjoy Texas, and insert random catchphrase here.

Jimmie Johnson 5/1
Denny Hamlin 5/1
Brad Keselowski 8/1
Kyle Busch 8/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Greg Biffle 10/1
Kasey Kahne 10/1
Jeff Gordon 12/1
Clint Bowyer 12/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 12/1
Martin Truex Jr 15/1
Tony Stewart 15/1
Carl Edwards 15/1
Mark Martin 20/1
Kevin Harvick 35/1
Joey Logano 60/1
Aric Almirola 100/1
Marcos Ambrose 100/1
Ryan Newman 100/1
Kurt Busch 100/1
Juan Montoya 200/1
Paul Menard 200/1
Jeff Burton 200/1
Sam Hornish Jr 200/1
Jamie McMurray 200/1
AJ Allmendinger 300/1
Bobby Labonte 300/1
Danica Patrick 300/1
Trevor Bayne 300/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 50/1