BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Matt Kenseth needed a Bristol win last year to maintain any chance of making the Chase for the championship.

His repeat win this year locked him into the playoffs, and possibly made him the driver to beat.

Kenseth continued his momentum-building run toward the Chase on Saturday night by winning at Bristol Motor Speedway -- his third consecutive NASCAR victory.

"If we can go into the Chase like this, we'll have a shot at the championship. The guys are operating at a championship level," Kenseth said. "I was worried about going into the Chase and not running good. But this is what it's about, bringing your best piece and go there and try to win some races."

His fourth win of the season clinched him a spot in NASCAR's 10-race playoff format, which begins Sept. 17 in New Hampshire.

It also showed he's peaking at the perfect time. Tony Stewart got hot midway through the summer last year and streaked to his second Nextel Cup title.  More