Driver Rankings: Fab Five Finale

Is it Speed Weeks yet? The thought that this season is ending is bittersweet. I’m game for a race- anyplace, anytime. By the same token, it will be good to put this one in the books, catch a break, and then gear up for a fresh start in 2010.

THE FAB FIVE

#5- Jeff Gordon- (ranked 3rd last week)- So close, yet so far. A win, 16 top 5s, and 24 top 10’s is pretty doggone impressive season’s work. Sadly, it’s not enough to launch a “Drive For Five.” Well, there’s always next season.

#4- Mark Martin- (ranked 2nd last week)- Martin is to NASCAR what Dan Marino and Jim Kelly are to the NFL, and Karl Malone to the NBA- the eternal runner-up. One NASCAR author had the audacity to call Martin the “most overrated NASCAR driver of all time.” Like many naysayers, he says Martin lacks “killer instinct”, yada, yada, yada. Just consider this though: the man who started competing in Cup when I was a junior in high school appears well on his way to a 5th 2nd place finish in the points, 3rd four times, 4th three times. You could do worse. Much worse.

#3- Kurt Busch- (ranked 5th last week)- When you consider what this team has been through this year, a fourth place standing in the points is pretty doggone impressive. At the word of Pat Tryson’s departure, this team could have faded like a Ranger Rick tent. It’s too easy to forget Busch can wheel a car and he’s maintained a pretty decent consistency throughout the Chase.

#2- Denny Hamlin- (unranked last week)- Here’s the guy who wants to dethrone Jimmie Johnson. Give him credit, he’s managed to avoid the complete fade in the Chase he’s had the last two years, and Hamlin’s racked up a season-high three wins. If Joe Gibbs can overcome occasionally equipment failures, and if Hamlin can avoid those mental mistakes that have set him back, there’s no telling what he can accomplish.

#1- Jimmie Johnson- (ranked 1st last week)- Barring the possibility that you have as many sub-30th finishes as you do wins, it is my opinion that he who wins the most deserves the title. Johnson has filled the bill. If Johnson somehow stumbles and Mark Martin is able to capitalize, it will be the greatest upset since David and Goliath. This dude is as slick as a politician.

FALLING OFF THE PACE

Though it sure looked like he was headed for immortality, Tony Stewart’s fortunes have fallen in the Chase. to me, Stewart is Exhibit “A” for awarding some kind of points bonus for leading the standings going into the Chase. Regardless, Stewart has exceeded all expectations in his first season as a principle with Stewart- Haas Racing.

DISTANT THUNDER

As I opined earlier this week, it looks like better days are ahead for the Richard Childress trio of Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and maybe even Kevin Harvick.

Juan Pablo Montoya and David Reutimann gets props for their top 10 runs at Phoenix. It was something of a break-out year for JPM, and Reutimann has certainly laid the foundation for jumping up to the next level.

Ditto for Martin Truex Jr. The fresh start at MWR will do him good.

PHOTO CREDITS- Jeff Gordon by Sam Greenwood for NASCAR. Kurt Busch by plstt. To see more visit flickr.com, or click on the link. Denny Hamlin at Richmond by Todd Warshaw/ Getty Images for NASCAR. Jimmie Johnson at Lowe’s Motor Speedway by Rusty Jarrett/ Getty Images for NASCAR.