The “Big 10” Driver Rankings

Check out racetalkradio.com and see if how you’d rank the Top 20 drivers in NASCAR stacks up against a panel of NASCAR media types.

The 2010 season has the potential to be one of the more interesting ones that we’ve had in a while. Just when you think a driver has a mighty gust of wind at his back, his fortunes hit the wall.

There are a few that consistently put up good results on a week in, week out basis, but there aren’t many. Even more weird is how we have seven winless drivers that are top twelve in the points, and we have the winner of NASCAR’s two biggest races of the year (Jamie McMurray) outside the top twelve, along with a pair of others who have wins (David Reutimann and Ryan Newman) on the outside, looking in.

Strange days indeed.

THE BIG 10

10. Kasey Kahne- (Down from 8th)- Ya know, finishing 13th at the Brickyard isn’t the worst thing in the world, but Kahne really needed a better race than that to make up lost ground. That aside, Kasey is looking a lot better of late than racers with better overall numbers. Considering his circumstances, he’s doing a darn good job in my opinion.

9. Carl Edwards- (Up from 10th)- OK, be mad at me for this pick if you want, the bottom line is Edwards has scored three top tens in a row, and his average finish over the last five races of 13.8 is better than his tow best teammates from Roush Fenway, and its better than former teammates Jamie Mac. Over the last 10 races, Cousin Carl is better than Kyle Busch, Kenseth, Kahne and Clint Bowyer. He’s nothing like he was in ‘08, but he’s better than he was at the beginning of the season.

8. Jeff Gordon- (Down from 4th)- Indianapolis had to be a big time disappointment in light of his history there. Not only has he won there, but Gordon was running so well, for so long. From the sound of it, they unloaded a bad piece that they never got right. It has to be frustrating, because they’ve been nearly as consistent as the guys in front of them, but there are no wins to show for it.

7. Denny Hamlin- (Down from 2nd)- D.H. barely gets the nod over Gordon for three reasons: he finished better at Indy, a better overall body of work, and the wins. If my life depends a driver winning a race, and Hamlin’s racing Jeff Gordon, frankly, my money’s on Hamlin. Over the course of the season, he’s been good, but the recent performances have to be a bit disoncerting for Joe Gibbs.  

6. Kurt Busch- (Down from 5th)- There’s really a lot to like about the season Busch is having, but his wins and good finishes are wiped out by some really poor ones. He’s kind of the anti-Gordon in a way; he’s got wins, but he’s shaky in the consistency department.

5. Tony Stewart- (Up from 8th)- There’s not generally much that’s quiet about Smoke, but he’s been sneaking up the charts in stealth fashion. He’s well aware his team has a lot of work to do to get better, but they’re compensating for a lack of car with good calls. The good ones know how to get the most out of what they have.

4. Jeff Burton- (Up from 6th)- Believe it or not, Burton’s average finish of 11.4 over his last five races is better than Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch and Clint Bowyer. At times, the conservative running “Mayor” even looks like a race winner.

3. Clint Bowyer- (Up from 9th)- Looking for a dark horse pick for Pocono? How about this guy? Bowyer has been so dang close of late. Who here thought the RCR Gang would be this good? I figured they’d be better, but not by this much! Like teammate Burton, it’s a stretch to think of him as championship material at this point, but he could get there quickly. Bowyer gets the edge over Burton based on the last handful of races, where as good as Burton has been, the “33” has looked even better.

2. Jimmie Johnson- (Down from 1st)- His recent finishes of 31st, 25th and 22nd signal trouble, but you all know Johnson is just as capable of doing what he did in June when he won back-to-back races. In one of my circle of friends, we call him “The Shark,” and with good reason. Still, it’s good to know he’s human.

1. Kevin Harvick- (Up from 3rd)- Simply, the most consistent driver on the circuit this year. He may supply the best evidence yet that the Chase is flawed. From this observer’s point of view, if the season ends today, this is your champion. Hamlin and Johnson have more wins, but Harvick is there week after week.

READY TO STRIKE

I’ll say it again: I love Jamie McMurray’s attitude. As nice as it would be for him to be in the Chase, winning Daytona and winning Indianapolis means more…Greg Biffle is angry about finishing third. I love it! That’s that attitude I’m looking for…By finishing 8th, Kyle Busch put up the best finish he’s had since second at Pocono, with an evil car, no less!

DISTANT THUNDER

Matt Kenseth hangs on to his place in the points by being something of an anti- Montoya; he’s nowhere near in a winning car, but he hangs on ‘til the end, and gets a decent day out of it…Did anybody notice Joey Logano got a top ten? He’s proving to be a doggone good study…Mark Martin keeps hanging around. The poor guy hasn’t seen the top ten since the Coca- Cola 600.