Jeff Gluck

USA TODAY Sports

TALLADEGA, Ala. — NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France has a lot to smile about these days. His new Chase for the Sprint Cup format is generating excitement, drama and "Game 7 moments" – like the one Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, when Brad Keselowski faced a win-or-go-home situation and won.

There's more drama ahead, when the remaining eight drivers have three races — Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway — to determine which four reach the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

With the point standings reset again for the Round 3 of the Chase – the "Eliminator Round" – here's a look at the remaining contenders and their chances to reach Homestead, ranked on a scale of 1-4 Brian Frances.

JOEY LOGANO

Round 2 points rank: 1

Chances of making it to Homestead: Four Frances.

Logano has a victory in each of the first two rounds and won the most recent Texas race in April.

Chances of winning it all: Four Frances.

Logano has put together a career year and is capable of claiming his first title.

KEVIN HARVICK

Round 2 points rank: 2

Chances of making it to Homestead: Four Frances.

Harvick has shown the most speed of any car this season and should be strong at all three tracks in this round.

Chances of winning it all: Four Frances.

If something goofy doesn't happen -- which was the case in many races this season, costing him perhaps a half-dozen wins -- then Harvick should be up front at Homestead.

RYAN NEWMAN

Round 2 points rank: 3

Chances of making it to Homestead: One France.

Newman's solid and consistent performances have gotten him to this point, but he hasn't shown signs that he can get the wins or top-five finishes (only three this season) needed to get past Round 3.

Chances of winning it all: Half a France.

Nothing against Newman, but his Richard Childress Racing team likely doesn't have the speed to pull off a title run this year.

DENNY HAMLIN

Round 2 points rank: 4

Chances of making it to Homestead: Three Frances.

Hamlin has been pumped about the tracks in Round 3 ever since the format was unveiled and felt he could contend for a title if he made it this far.

Chances of winning it all: Three Frances.

If Hamlin makes it to Homestead, look out. He won there last year and could become a champ few saw coming.

MATT KENSETH

Round 2 points rank: 5

Chances of making it to Homestead: Two and a half Frances.

At some point, Kenseth is probably going to need a win — he has none this year after scoring seven in 2013 — if he wants to make the finale.

Chances of winning it all: Two Frances.

If Kenseth makes it, does he have the car to beat drivers like Logano, Harvick, Brad Keselowski or Jeff Gordon?

CARL EDWARDS

Round 2 points rank: 6

Chances of making it to Homestead: One and a half Frances.

It's been an unexpectedly deep run for Edwards — a lame duck at struggling Roush Fenway Racing with a crew chief on the verge of retirement — but it likely ends this round unless he wins at Phoenix, which he did last year.

Chances of winning it all: Two Frances.

Yes, Edwards' chances of winning the whole thing are higher than him even making it this far. That's because of his two victories at Homestead; with another points reset, anything could happen.

JEFF GORDON

Round 2 points rank: 7

Chances of making it to Homestead: Three and a half Frances.

Gordon is the last Hendrick Motorsports car standing, so the entire focus of NASCAR's most powerful organization should be focused on getting him to the finale.

Chances of winning it all: Three Frances.

Gordon won Homestead in 2012 and his team is stronger now than it was then; he could certainly put on a similar performance this year.

BRAD KESELOWSKI

Round 2 points rank: 10

Chances of making it to Homestead: Four Frances.

After what he did at Talladega, can anyone really doubt him?

Chances of winning it all: Four Frances.

He's won the most races of anyone this season (six) and has the car and team to win another title. Perhaps only Harvick and teammate Logano could beat him at Homestead.

Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck