No rule exists that a driver has to win the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the title.

But in the first two years of the elimination-style Chase for the Sprint Cup format, a Chase driver has won the race to hoist the Sprint Cup trophy. And not just that, in both years the driver who finished second was among the four championship-eligible drivers.

So when Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards say they think they have to win Sunday, they have the relatively small history of the elimination-style Chase at least backing up such a statement.

"We race to win every week -- why should we race differently for a championship, right?" said Logano, who was foiled by a bad pit stop in the 2014 championship race. "We're racing to win that race, and that's ultimately going to have a championship attached to that."

Here's how the four finalists -- in order of NASCAR seeding, based on best finish in the previous round -- stack up heading into the 2016 title bout:

1. Joey Logano

Team Penske No. 22 Ford

Championships: None

Wins in the third round: One

Points: 4,118 (first)

Why he will win the title: Logano has won two of the three elimination races in this Chase, which shows his ability to capitalize on the moment. He has all the momentum and the experience of falling short in 2014, and he appears to be having the most fun of anyone in the Chase. Why? Maybe because he has the most Chase wins over the past three years (seven).

Why he won't: A Ford has not won in the past nine races on a 1.5-mile or 2-mile aerodynamic-dependent track. Logano was second at Texas, but that might not be good enough Sunday.

2. Jimmie Johnson

Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet

Championships: Six (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013)

Wins in the third round: One

Points: 4,078 (sixth)

Why he will win the title: Because he's Jimmie Johnson and he's already won six of these trophies. He also rips the heart out of the people he calls "the haters," and it's time to disappoint the people who can't accept his greatness.

Why he won't: Johnson rarely has had to run spectacular at Homestead to win the title. He has just four top-5s in 15 career starts at the track.

The Chase will be settled on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mike Ehrmann/NASCAR/Getty Images

3. Carl Edwards

Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Toyota

Championships: None

Wins in the third round: One

Points: 4,071 (eighth)

Why he will win the title: His two victories at Homestead and 9.2 average finish at that track rank him above any of the other Chase finalists. He won two weeks ago at Texas, a somewhat similar track, with the same tire that teams will use Sunday. And having to lose one to win one? Well, Edwards has lost twice. He has finished second in the standings twice without winning the title -- one of only three drivers to finish second in the standings multiple times and not win a title.

Why he won't: This is a "what have you done for me lately?" world. Edwards finished 11th at Homestead in 2015. His average finish in this Chase is 14.9, the worst among the four drivers.

4. Kyle Busch

Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota

Championships: One (2015)

Wins in the third round: None

Points: 4,113 (second)

Why he will win the title: Busch has the best 2016 Chase average finish (7.3) and most 2016 Chase top-5s (six) among the four finalists. He likes to do things that put him on another level: Only three drivers since 1972 have won their first two titles back-to-back.

Why he won't: Busch has the longest winless drought among the four finalists; he hasn't won in his last 15 starts. Not only that, he hasn't been in position to win that often -- he has led more than three laps in just two of the Chase races.