Motorsports reporters and editors at USA TODAY Sports looked into their crystal balls to see which drivers would survive and advance through the four rounds of NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup: Challenger, Contender, Eliminator and Championship.

Will Kevin Harvick repeat or will a new champion be crowned at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 22? Jeff Gluck, Brant James, Mike Hembree, Heather Tucker and Ellen J. Horrow unveil their predictions here:

CHALLENGER ROUND

Drivers eliminated after Oct. 4 race at Dover International Speedway

Jeff Gluck: Paul Menard, Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer

Brant James: Paul Menard, Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman

Mike Hembree: Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch

Heather Tucker: Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Paul Menard, Kurt Busch

Ellen J. Horrow: Paul Menard, Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr.

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James: Jeff Gordon earns chance for one more championship

CONTENDER ROUND

Drivers eliminated after Oct. 25 race at Talladega Superspeedway

Jeff Gluck: Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Brant James: Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Mike Hembree: Paul Menard, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski

Heather Tucker: Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr.

Ellen J. Horrow: Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards


UP NEXT

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USA Today Sports’ Jeff Gluck looks ahead to the Chase.
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