The skies are a fine autumnal blue over the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season ending Ford 400, the race that will decide the winner of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship.

With the 43 starting teams and drivers set to battle it out into the sunset once again the Florida temperatures are certain to drop to a level comparatively cold for 'The Sunshine State' but still nicely pleasant to all those who spent Sunday wrapped up in the Great British cold.

Points leader Jimmie Johnson, who will start Sunday's race from 15th position, only needs to finish 12th to secure the title while his nearest competition, Matt Kenseth, needs to make up 64 points on Johnson if he is to win his second championship.

Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr can also win NASCAR's biggest prize with Harvick and Hamlin (who are tied on points) needing to win and hope Johnson finishes 22nd or worse and Kenseth fourth or worse.

Earnhardt Jr meanwhile needs to win and see Johnson finish lower than 30th, Kenseth lower than tenth and Harvick and Hamlin lower than fourth.