For the third consecutive season, Jeff Burton, a model of consistency, challenged for the Sprint Cup championship; however, he sputtered to the season's finish line following his victory at Charlotte in October. Steadiness defined Burrton's 2008 season. He scored a top ten finish in half of the 36 races, and won two races (Bristol and Charlotte). Burton led the Sprint Cup championship standings for several weeks in the spring, but the 31 team slowly began to slide down the ladder as the season progressed. Burton's win at Charlotte put him back on the championship radar, but his championship dreams quickly began to fizzle once the series arrived in Martinsville a week later.

In 2009, Burton will compete in the Chase for the Championship by default. He will challenge for a victory every now and again, but it would not be a shocker if he encountered a winless season.

5. Clint Bowyer-

Following his breakthrough season in 2007, several analysts envisioned a championship contender in Clint Bowyer. Unfortunately, Bowyer's 2008 season barely measured up to the 2007 season. His lone win of season occurred at Richmond, and it was only because Denny Hamlin cut a tire with less than 20 laps to go, and then the Dale Earnhart, Jr. and Kyle Busch on-track fracas. Like his two Richard Childress "> Racing teammates, Bowyer was consistent, which is why he earned a spot in the Chase for the Championship for the second successive season.

Bowyer will depart the 07 Jack Daniel's team and become the driver of the upstart 33 General Mills team for Richard Childress Racing. While he is not changing organizations, a new cast of characters will surround him, including a new crew chief, Shane Wilson. It will be difficult for Bowyer to qualify for the Chase for the Championship based on his 2008 results, especially considering the team switch.

4. Kevin Harvick-

Kevin Harvick failed to win a race in 2008, but he was in good company. Matt Kenneth and Jeff Gordon joined him in the winless guild. However, Harvick enjoyed a run of nine consecutive top ten finishes in the summer, which helped earn him a third consecutive Chase for the Championship appearance. While Harvrick was one of the top performers in the second half of the season, he seemed to be a fourth to seventh place driver at best. His season almost mirrored those of his teammates, except Harvick did not win a race.

Harvick should contend for a spot in the Chase for the Championship in 2009. He has emerged as one of NASCAR's most consistent drivers. Consistency alone may not win championships, but it does get you into the twelve-man, ten-race showdown.

3. Greg Biffle-

Greg Biffle did not win "> a race throughout the first 26 races of the season, but as soon as the Chase for the Championship approached, Biffle came out swinging. He opened the Chase for the Championship with back-to-back wins at New Hampshire and Dover. He remained within striking distance of Jimmie Johnson up until the final race of the season. Overall, the 2008 season was one of resurgence for Biffle, who many revere as one of the most talented drivers in the garage.

Biffle has yet to qualify for the Chase for the Championship in subsequent seasons, but that should change in 2009. It appears that this team is only scratching the surface of their boundless potential. Biffle is ready to contend for the Sprint Cup championship.

2. Carl Edwards-

Perhaps a little more patience at Talladega and a little luck at Charlotte would have gone a long way in Carl Edwards? bid at the 2008 Sprint Cup championship. Edwards was easily as fast as Jimmie Johnson was throughout the final ten races. He won three of the final four races. Unfortunately, two poor finishes were enough to diminish his championship aspirations. With that said, Edwards led the Sprint Cup Series in wins with nine, top fives with nineteen, and top tens with 27. Edwards certainly enjoyed his best season to date.

Edwards is the championship favorite heading into the 2009 season, with all apologies to Jimmie Johnson. While Johnson and Kyle Busch had their shining moments in 2008, they also had moments of perceptible vulnerability. Edwards was fast from Daytona to Homestead and everywhere in between.

1. Jimmie Johnson-

Jimmie Johnson completed the tri-feta, the three-peat, or any other clich? you may evoke. He joins the legendary Caleb Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive championships. It was not a season-long walk in the park for Johnson, however. This team initially struggled on the intermediate tracks with the Car of Tomorrow back in the spring. Their performance at Las Vegas was perhaps the worst performance by this since they arrived to the ">NASCAR scene in the fall of 2001. However, crew chief Chad Klaus and the 48 team resolved the issues by doing their homework, therefore discovering the comfortable balance that Johnson needed. As the season progressed, the 48 team became even more formidable, and when the Chase for the Championship arrived, Johnson was the driver to beat. He won three times in the ten-race Chase for the Championship, and finished no worse than 15th en route to NASCAR's ultimate prize.

It is difficult to fathom a driver and team winning four consecutive titles. Nonetheless, Johnson is a perennial championship favorite, and this team is as close to flawless as any team in the sport's rich history. Johnson will win multiple races again in 2009, and expect him to be in position to win his fourth championship come November.