Here’s what you have to love about the first race of the season- it’s wide open. As of today, Joey Logano has the same number of points as Jimmie Johnson. Our first edition of 2009’s “Magnificent Seven” might look a little different if we were doing after Thursday’s duels, and we for sure know next week will look a heck of a lot different than it does today. As far as that goes, the final points standings will look nothing like what they may look like after Daytona, especially considering we’re starting with a wild and wacky plate race with a wild and wacky qualifying scheme.
I’m not complaining. Just keep in mind before you flame me for this week’s selections that this is less about “Mr. Right” than it is “Mr. Right Now.” I think it’s cool that I’ll be dropping names that aren’t the first that fans thought of before last week’s practices, shoot out and pole qualifying.
Here are the top drivers of the week……in my humble opinion:
7) Ryan Newman- Changing teams cost “Rocket” a place in the Bud Shoot Out, but based on his performance thus far, I don’t think he’s complaining. Between skill, secure funding and Hendrick technology, Newman’s happy as a clam. The trick will be for Newman to turn great practice runs into great race runs.
6) Bill Elliott- A show of hands- how many here thought “Awesome Bill” would turn in a top-ranked practice and a 5th in pole qualifying? Get your hand down, you in the back row, ‘cuz your lyin’. I don’t think anyone short of “Million Dollar Bill” and the gang at the Wood Brothers garage thought it was possible.
5) Tony Stewart- Like Jimmie Johnson, “Smoke” has been consistent across the board. The start Stewart- Haas is off to has exceeded the expectations of anyone outside Stewart’s loyal fan base. A wise man, Stewart is crediting GM Bobby Hutchens for the success. This organization has been around, but were talking new drivers, new numbers, new sponsors and a new attitude.
4) Jeff Gordon- Rumors of the “24″’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Gordon was a factor in the Shoot Out with a 4th place, and he’s turning good laps in qualifying and practice. If he’s got the car, he’s got the skill to be what we call in football a “play maker.”
3) Mark Martin- “The Kid” has taken a frat house sized swig from the Fountain of Youth. Martin will start on the outside pole, and he’s got a spring in his step like we haven’t seen in a good 5 years. You write this ol’ boy off, and you do so at your peril.
2) Martin Truex Jr.- The performance Truex has put up so far is just what this team needs. Not so long ago, people were predicting big things for Numero Uno. He turned a 2nd quickest time in final practice, and grabbed the pole in pole qualifying. It doesn’t get much sweeter than that, oh, except for winning the 500.
1) Jimmie Johnson- The man is King Of The Hill ’til someone knocks him off. Johnson get the nod on his overall body of work dating back to last season. Yeah, yeah- Carl Edwards isn’t on this list, but we’ll get there in a minute. Johnson was in the running for a win Saturday night before a crash down the home stretch, he was 6th in pole qualifying and 10th in final practice. He’ll be around- just watch.
OTHER CONTENDERS
Carl Edwards ran a good race, but just misses on a ho-hum qualifying effort. He’ll be there come race time…..same for Kevin Harvick. I could have put in him in the top 7 for his Saturday night Shoot Out win, but man, the RCR cars haven’t looked all that racy otherwise….Jamie Mc Murray and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have also has great moments with Jamie Mac finishing 2nd Saturday night. Junior’s numbers have been solid and his knowledge of the draft will serve him well when the real racin’ starts. Kyle Busch also represented Joe Gibbs and Toyota well. He was 10th in the race, 15th in pole qualifying and 4th in final practice….Bobby Labonte has done good things with the “96″ and Juan Pablo Montoya ran 4th in pole qualifying.
PHOTO CREDITS- “Magnificent Seven by Victor Solanoy. Newman car by stewarthaasfan. Truex by amanda480743. More of their photos may be found at flickr.com.
