Each week Suite 101 ranks the top 16 drivers in NASCAR Nextel Cup based on their performance and results. IN-Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr OUT-Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, and Carl Edwards
1. (3) 9-Kasey Kahne, Dodge: Kahne and Scott Riggs are running well, but what's going on with Jeremy Mayfield?
2. (1) 48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet: Johnson and the #48 team saved themselves from a near disastrous day.
3. (2) 17-Matt Kenseth, Ford: Kenseth finished 2nd but still dropped a spot in the rankings. That goes to show you how tight the competition is up front.
4. (5) 20-Tony Stewart, Chevrolet: Stewart was unable to climb the fence on Sunday, but he had already won the IROC race on Friday.
5. (4) 6-Mark Martin, Ford: Solid!
6. (6) 5-Kyle Busch, Chevrolet: While his brother Kurt is making enemies within the Roush camp, Kyle made an enemy with rookie Clint Bowyer.
7. (10) 29-Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet: Suddenly, Harvick and company look prepped and ready for a possible championship run.
8. (7) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevrolet: Earnhardt Jr was mediocre at best at Texas.
9. (8) 24-Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet: Gordon has still never won a race at Texas, now he'll try to erase the doughnut at Phoenix in two weeks.
10. (11) 42-Casey Mears, Dodge: Mears has been less than spectacular, but he's been solid.
11. (16) 31-Jeff Burton, Chevrolet: Burton ran well in an orange car, and so did Kevin Harvick, maybe Clint Bowyer and the #07 team need to think about painting their Chevy orange at Phoenix.
12. (NR) 11-Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet: Hamlin is the best of the Rookie class so far.
13. (9) 2-Kurt Busch, Dodge: Kurt Busch's tendency to make more foes than friends will not help his transition over to Penske Racing.
14. (15) 88-Dale Jarrett, Ford: Only Dale Jarrett can perform so lackluster but sit 11th in the Nextel Cup standings..
15. (NR) 1-Martin Truex Jr, Chevrolet: Truex put together his first really impressive performance in Nextel Cup.
16. (12) 38-Elliott Sadler, Ford: Sadler and company are still missing a piece of the puzzle. A couple of years ago, Texas was the #38 team's strong suit.
