Breakdown: Nothing predictable about Talladega

Unlike last week's race at Martinsville, there's nothing predictable about what's going to happen this Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

The last time the circuit was there, Kevin Harvick won, Denny Hamlin finished in the top five, and Jimmie Johnson wrecked.

Each Thursday during the Chase, Yahoo! Sports breaks down the 12-driver field. Here is a look at how the field stacks up heading into race No. 7 of the Chase, Sunday's AMP Energy Juice 500:

1. Jimmie Johnson

5998 pts.

Don't be surprised to see Johnson log a bunch of laps at the back of the pack, hoping to avoid the "Big One" at Talladega. He got caught in a wreck in the spring.
Last week's result: 5th

2. Denny Hamlin

5992 pts. (-6)

Hamlin's never considered much of a restrictor-plate racer, but he's better than you think. Past results indicate he'll finish either in the top five or way, way down.
Last week's result: 1st

3. Kevin Harvick

5936 pts. (-62)

Harvick's title hopes rest on this race. He's done everything he needed to do to stay with Johnson and Hamlin. Now he has to get it done at the track where he's better than them.
Last week's result: 3rd

4. Kyle Busch

5826 pts. (-172)

Look for Kyle Busch to be aggressive from the drop of the green flag. He's won at Talladega before, he wants to win again badly, and figures the safest place to be is in the lead.
Last week's result: 4th

5. Jeff Gordon

5795 pts. (-203)

Since sweeping Talladega in 2007, Gordon has finishes of 19th, 38th, 37th, 20th and 22nd there. In fact, since 2004, Gordon's only top-10 finishes are three wins.
Last week's result: 20th

6. Carl Edwards

5785 pts. (-213)

Somewhat surprisingly, Edwards actually has one more top-10 finishes this season than Hamlin. The difference – seven of Hamlin's are wins, while Edwards has none.
Last week's result: 8th

7. Tony Stewart

5726 pts. (-236)

Would anyone be surprised if Stewart wound up in victory lane on Sunday? Well, maybe, considering he hasn't finished inside the top 15 since his win at Talladega in 2008.
Last week's result: 24th

8. Jeff Burton

5752 pts. (-246)

It would be a surprise to see Burton in victory lane, though maybe it shouldn't be. He did, after all, lead the most laps there in April.
Last week's result: 9th

9. Kurt Busch

5721 pts. (-277)

Of the 12 Chase drivers, only one had Talladega as his best remaining track, and that's Kurt Busch. It's not so much that he's good there, but he doesn't get caught in the Big One that often.
Last week's result: 16th

10. Matt Kenseth

5705 pts. (-293)

Don't look now, but Kenseth has cracked the top 10 in the standings. That's what being not really bad will get you.
Last week's result: 15th

11. Greg Biffle

5682 pts. (-316)

It's been feast or famine in the Chase for Biffle, who's finished first, fifth and the rest between 17th and 41st.
Last week's result: 33rd

12. Clint Bowyer

5592 pts. (-406)

It's been a lesson in momentum. Prior to his win at New Hampshire, Bowyer had three-straight top 10s. After the 150-point penalty, he has just one finish better than 15th.
Last week's result: 38th