As the 2012 season starts to wind down, teams start to think about the upcoming season ahead. For Jimmie Johnson and Brad Kesoloweski, the Sprint Cup is all thats on their minds with three races to go.

Both drivers have had solid Chase runs. They both have atleast one win to their credit, and they also have been able to avoid any trouble and bring home good finishes.

With just three races to go in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, both Kesoloweski and Johnson are in contention to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. At the same time however, they need to do one thing and one thing only to keep them in the hunt come Homestead.

Avoid making mistakes.

A key thing for Johnson and Keselowski is for them to make no mistakes.

Any pit-road penalty, any crash, any spin, anything that can go wrong may ultimately cost them a shot at winning the Sprint Cup. Yes we have seen Jimmie Johnson turn what was going to be a season-ending day into a solid top-10 that ultimately saved their season, but you still have to wonder what will happen if these guys make any mistakes.

Making very minimal or no mistakes will be what helps decide the Sprint Cup. If both make any mistakes come Sunday afternoon, then perhaps the Chase could still be up in the air. But with a couple drivers added to the mix.

For all you NASCAR gamers, next week's column will be a review of the upcoming video game, NASCAR The Game: Inside Line by Eutechnyx. Please check back during the week for the review.