The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is one-third complete with 12 of 36 races in the books, so what have we learned?

First off, it's glaringly apparent that Joe Gibbs Racing is the dominant team by a wide margin. Like when Bob Dylan sang, "you don't need a weathervane to tell which way the wind blows," the force is exceptionally strong at JGR as they have won seven races.

Here's what makes that really scary: With Kenneth's win on Sunday, all four JGR cars are locked into the 2016 Chase and we just made it to Charlotte.

So what else have we learned? I'm so glad you asked.

Due to the dominance of JGR and the fact that both Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski have multiple wins, there just aren't that many biscuits left in the bread basket. Think about it — which drivers are left that realistically have a legitimate shot to win a race? The dark cloud has to go away for Truex doesn't it, and I figure Joey Logano has a win in him.

After that the field gets slim.

I know what you're thinking, "he doesn't have Dale Jr. on the list." Sure, he could win, but they have been inconsistent and haven't shown wining speed race in and race out. But just for fun, let's put the 88 in the mix.

We now have the seven drivers who have already won plus Logano, Truex and Earnhardt. Who else gets a checkered flag? Several drivers have potential, but as my football coach used to yell at me, "potential means you've not done it YET."

Potentially, Kurt Busch could win but there is lot going on at SHR. Remember they are busy switching to Ford, which has to be a distraction.

These next three could win but haven't yet: Austin Dillon's been impressive this year and is beginning to race in the high rent district. Chase Elliott: okay, I admit I thought he would struggle. I was wrong, very wrong indeed. Finally, I'll give you Ryan Blaney as an outside shot to win. Maybe I'm just pulling for him, it would be a nice story for Ryan and the Wood Brothers organization.

So in review, here's what we've learned after a dozen races: Joe Gibbs Racing is on top of the mountain, with seven checkered flags. Kyle Busch, for the moment, at least, is holding the flag at the top of the heap, and lastly, we may have only 10 different winners this season. As many as six drivers could make the Chase on points, so every position counts.

What do you think? Tell me what you think on Twitter, @Riceman61, or tweet the Performance Racing Network @PRNLive.