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Who’s up and Who’s down?
By tom petty | May 10, 2007
|
Who’s Up Biggest Gain this week: Kurt Busch: 10th to 6th New This Week : Mark Martin |
Who’s Down Biggest Drop this week: Juan Montoya: 16th to 22nd Dropped Out : Kasey Kahne |
Rank
PREVIOUS : 1
CHANGE : 0
1
Jeff Gordon
Another strong performance, another week at the top. Gordon fends-off field for another week, but if Jimmie Johnson wins at Darlington the winds of change will be blowing next week.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 2
CHANGE : 0
2
Jimmie Johnson
Four victories — and now second in the point standings — Johnson already has 40 Chase bonus points in the hopper. He’ll need that head start to beat-back Gordon down the stretch.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 5
CHANGE : +2
3
Denny Hamlin
He’s finished third in each of the past three COT races; stands to reason he’d be third here, too. If the kid could catch a break, he’d already have a win (or two) this year.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 4
CHANGE : 0
4
Matt Kenseth
Ho-hum, another top-10 finish for the No. 17 team. Another scoop of vanilla, anyone?
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 3
CHANGE : -2
5
Jeff Burton
OK, so the engine dropping a valve at Richmond wasn’t Burton’s fault but someone had to shuffle back this week.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 10
CHANGE : +4
6
Kurt Busch
In only his second season with the team, he’s already the face of Penske Racing. Well, it’s either him or Ryan Newman, which begs the question: When will Sam Hornish Jr. arrive?
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 11
CHANGE : +4
7
Kyle Busch
Speaking of faces, we just cannot get enough of this picture. It’s one that only a mother can love. Happy Mother’s Day.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 8
CHANGE : 0
8
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Nation is getting antsy for its driver to return to Victory Lane. It’s been 37 races since his last win. … Imagine being a Ken Schrader fan (529 races — and counting).
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 6
CHANGE : -3
9
Tony Stewart
Smoke has to catch a break at some point — and when he does, don’t be surprised if he gets on a top-five roll. He’s in the same boat with Hamlin: woulda, coulda, shoulda had a checkered flag or two by now.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 7
CHANGE : -3
10
Jamie McMurray
Hands down the comeback driver of the year through 10 races. And you’ll hear this many times before it finally comes to pass: “He’s due for his second win.”
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 13
CHANGE : +2
11
Kevin Harvick
Another of the Bowtie Brigade who could use a shot of good fortune. If it’s possible for someone to “sneak up” and win the Cup, it’s Harvick.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 9
CHANGE : -3
12
Clint Bowyer
Finished ninth at Richmond and remains in the top 12, but the heat is on. There are several drivers within hailing distance of the Chase cutoff who already know their way to Victory Lane and that will keep the pressure on Bowyer.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 15
CHANGE : +2
13
Greg Biffle
Was chatting with a buddy about the series’ five best drivers and Biffle was on both our lists. In fact, we had the same five guys: Johnson, Gordon, Kyle Busch, Smoke and Biffle. We still believe in The Biff.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : NR
14
Mark Martin
Finished a season-worst 17th at Richmond but still sports a 7.7 average finish in seven starts. Do you wonder if Martin thinks about what 2007 could have been while he’s watching the races on his couch? He still says there are no regrets …
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 14
CHANGE : -1
15
Martin Truex Jr.
He’s playing Nicky Hilton to Junior’s Paris. Junior gets the pub (and rightfully so), but Truex is looking better as time goes on.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 12
CHANGE : -4
16
Carl Edwards
Edwards is one of those drivers just inside the top 12 who could make a run or fall to the wayside. Would anyone be surprised if Roush put four cars in the Chase: Kenseth, McMurray, Biffle and Edwards? Me neither.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 18
CHANGE : +1
17
Tony Raines
It’s been six races since Raines finished outside the top 25. No, that won’t get you into title contention, but for a second-year team that’s running in the right direction.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 22
CHANGE : +4
18
Ryan Newman
Back-to-back top-10s for the first time since Richmond-Darlington last spring. He hasn’t had three in a row since Loudon-Dover-Talladega in Fall 2005.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 19
CHANGE : 0
19
Bobby Labonte
He’s 18th in points and 117 out of 12th … it’s about time to fish or cut bait. I don’t believe the Petty folks have their scissors in hand.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 17
CHANGE : -3
20
Elliott Sadler
His average start is 20th. His average finish is 20th. Yeah, 20th feels about right — but he’d feel a lot better if he can end his three-race stretch of twentysomething finishes at Darlington.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 20
CHANGE : -1
21
David Stremme
He’s up a series-best 20 positions in the points compared to this time last year (17th vs. 37th). … And if Stremme is “fat,” Kasey Kahne is anorexic. What’s next, insulting each other’s mom at recess by the merry-go-round?
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 16
CHANGE : -6
22
Juan Montoya
JPM is the best thing going for Carolina sheet metal providers. In fact, shops in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia are upping production in hopes of meeting the demand. … Keep an eye on Ryan Newman; there could be fireworks between Mr. Juanderful and the Rocketman on Saturday night.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 23
CHANGE : 0
23
Reed Sorenson
Sorenson has posted decent runs in five of the past six races, and if you take out the three DNFs his season average finish is a respectable 18.8.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 21
CHANGE : -3
24
Jeff Green
Text book bump ‘n’ grind racing at Richmond. Well, someone’s text book. … That doesn’t do a lot for building friendships with other drivers but hey, how many times did you hear “Jeff Green” on the highlight reels this week? Uh huh — any publicity is good publicity.
Driver Page
Rank
PREVIOUS : 25
CHANGE : 0
25
Sterling Marlin
And if there aren’t fireworks between Juan Montoya and (insert driver here), expect Ward Burton to live up to his threat of retaliation against ol’ Sterling. … Maybe he should go have his piece vacuumed so it’ll look nice on TV.
* Race 1 – Daytona 500 at Daytona Int’l Speedway
* Race 2 – Auto Club 500 at California Speedway
* Race 3 – UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas
* Race 4 – Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
* Race 5 – Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
* Race 6 – Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway
* Race 7 – Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway
* Race 8 – Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix Int’l Raceway
* Race 9 – Aaron’s 499 at Talladega
* Race 10 – Crown Royal 400 at Richmond Int’l Raceway
* Race 11 – Dodge Avenger 500 at Darlington Raceway
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