What’s this? This is the “Bump Draft Studs” driver rankings- my pick for the top 10 drivers of the week. I really wanted to call it the “No B.S.” poll in sarcastic homage the ridiculous college football poll, but I figured that wouldn’t fly in certain circles.
What do we know about how 2009 will go? Not much, based on Daytona. Just take the last two years. Kevin Harvick won the “Great American Race” in 2007, but was never a REAL serious threat for the Cup after that. Then there’s Ryan Newman. He looked like he might be leading the charge on a Dodge revival as he led former teammate Kurt Busch to the checkered last year, and then he faded into 2008 obscurity after that.
On the other hand, that’s what makes the early season so great. For at least a couple of weeks, the A.J. Allmendingers, the Michael Waltrips, the Elliott Sadlers get some media love.
Here are the Bump Draft Studs heading into California:
10) Carl Edwards (N/R last week)- Edwards best Daytona moments came in Saturday’s Nationwide race. In truth, California’s where it really starts to get going for “Cousin Carl.”
9) Mark Martin (down 6 from #3)- Martin’s 16th place finish shows you how fickle Daytona can be and how your performance there is way too related to how much draft help you have. Martin ran a good race, he just doesn’t have any numbers to show for it. He’s been good whenever he’s left the shop, and there’s no reason to think that will end.
8) Clint Bowyer (N/R last week)- I may have to take back all those things I said about
Bowyer being the most vulnerable 2008 “chaser” in 2009. The “33″ tip-toed its way around the land mines for a 4th at Daytona and ran a solid 11th in the 2nd Duel.
7) Kurt Busch (N/R last week)- Kyle’s big bro is not the first guy you think of when you think of Daytona studs, but his numbers coming out of DIS are pretty solid. Busch ran 9th in the Shoot Out, 6th in Duel race #1, and 9th in the “500.”
6) A.J. Allmendinger (N/R last week)- Not you’re not hallucinating, and no, I’m not either. With a top 5 in the Shoot Out and a 3rd place finish in the “500″, Anthony James Allmendinger has the wind at this back.
5) Kyle Busch (N/R last week)- Just about anybody being honest will tell you “Wild Thing” was driving the fastest car yesterday. Busch has shown no drop off from last year, so get used to seeing him here. The 1st place finish in Duel #2 also has to account for something.
4) Jeff Gordon (4th last week)- Hear that sound? That’s the roar of thunder created by the #24 Dupont Chevrolet. Though he gets no points, the Duel victory in race #1 was a huge psychological lift for “Team 24″ and he’s heading for a track where he’s won multiple times.
3) Tony Stewart (up 2 places from 5th)- All you need to know is that “Smoke” was (ahem) singing during a caution yesterday. He’s feeling good, and he should be. Stewart was solid all day in the 500, wiping out the memory of his practice wipe-out Saturday.
2) Matt Kenseth (N/R last week)- If he wins at a plate track (where he usually doesn’t fare that well), what does this mean for the rest of the season? Oh, by the way? Matty and the Roush boys are money at Auto Club and Las Vegas.
1) Kevin Harvick (N/R last week)- Harvick has reason
to be “Happy” after pushing Kenseth to a win in the “500.” He said his car was slow, but through sheer determination and smarts, Harvick leaves Daytona with a Bud Shoot Out win and a 2nd place finish in the “500.”
Hangin’ Tough: Denny Hamlin played a role in his teammate’s Duel win, and was also running well when the Vickers/Earnhardt mess hit….Jamie Mc Murray has also looked solid….Elliott Sadler also merits mention with his 5th place finish and 24 laps led.
Falling Back: Ryan Newman’s fortunes have been falling like the stock market since his Saturday morning crash…Martin Truex is just a step or two behind, but could make up the ground in a hurry…After a great qualifying effort, it’s back to reality for the #21 team of Bill Elliott.
PHOTO CREDITS- Kenseth and Stewart by TotalPhoto (Leon), Bowyer’s car by jd016 and Harvicks bys54091. More work by these fin photographers may be found at flickr.com.
{ 1 comment }
Jim, congratulations on Bump-Drafts being recognized as one of the ten most influential NASCAR blogs by Sports Media Challenge. I’m a bit embarrassed that I had not been on the site until tonight. It is excellent. Keep it up.
Charlie Turner
Comments on this entry are closed.