Suite16 NASCAR Rankings-Fontana
Suite 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup rankings after California
Each week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.
1. (1) 17-Matt Kenseth: For the first time since the Phoenix race in April, Matt Kenseth leads the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship standings.
2. (2) 48-Jimmie Johnson: Has Jimmie Johnson lost momentum or is the 48 team simply on cruise control?
3. (3) 29-Kevin Harvick: Memorable Richmond moment- his confrontation with Ricky Rudd after the 2003 Chevy Rock & Roll 400.
4. (4) 24-Jeff Gordon: Even though Jeff Gordon is all but locked in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, he has seldom been mentioned as a championship favorite.
5. (5) 5-Kyle Busch: It appears that Kyle Busch will qualify for the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship, but would that have been the case if it weren't for the Lucky Dog rule that he benefited from five times at Watkins Glen?
6. (6) 20-Tony Stewart: Tony Stewart has steered clear of any type of controversy over the past month. Is it the calm before the storm?
7. (9) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr: If Dale Earnhardt Jr can win at Richmond this weekend, it would mark the first time he has swept a season at a non-restrictor plate track.
8. (8) 11-Denny Hamlin: I'm ready for some new FedEx commercials.
9. (11) 9-Kasey Kahne: Could it be possible that a five-time winner misses the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship?
10. (7) 31-Jeff Burton: A win at Richmond would be the perfect scenario for Jeff Burton and his Chase for the Championship endeavor.
11. (10) 6-Mark Martin: If Mark Martin misses the cut for the Chase for the Championship, he will be haunted by his Bristol blunder.
12. (12) 99-Carl Edwards: With exception of Matt Kenseth, Roush Racing appears to have lost some of their mojo.
13. (13) 16-Greg Biffle: Greg Biffle and the 16 team's performance has waned over the summer months.
14. (14) 2-Kurt Busch: The Penske Racing teams are stout on the short tracks and road courses, but they appear clueless on the 1.5-mile and 2-mile speedways.
15. (NR) 07-Clint Bowyer: Clint Bowyer and the 07 team are silently becoming the best team never to have won a race.
16. (15) 12-Ryan Newman: After Dodge gets their new noses for 2007; I anticipate a revival from Ryan Newman and the entire Penske Racing group.
email the author: autoracing@suite101.com
Past Suite 16 Rankings
