Suite16 NASCAR Rankings-The Glen

Suite 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup rankings after the AMD at the Glen, at Watkins Glen

Aug 15, 2006

Each week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.

1. (1) 48-Jimmie Johnson: I think Jimmie Johnson can afford a little slip up from time to time.

2. (2) 17-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth will be among the favorites as the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit heads to Michigan.

3. (4) 29-Kevin Harvick: Kevin Harvick is the first driver without the last name Gordon or Stewart to win a road course race since Ricky Rudd at Infineon in 2002.

4. (6) 20-Tony Stewart: I don't think Tony Stewart would have been as content with finishing second if it were Carl Edwards who passed him for the win.

6. (5) 5-Kyle Busch: Kyle Busch received the Lucky Dog pass more times at Watkins Glen, than some drivers do in an entire season.

7. (7) 24-Jeff Gordon: Either Jeff Gordon has lost a little bit of his edge on the road courses, or other teams such as the 29, 2, and 12 have caught up.

8. (8) 11-Denny Hamlin: Even though Denny Hamlin is a rookie in NASCAR, it comes as no surprise that he finished in the top ten at Watkins Glen.

9. (9) 6-Mark Martin: It's a good thing those guys behind him in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings are struggling, because Mark Martin isn't exactly lightning up the Nextel Cup circuit.

10. (10) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr: After the race that Dale Earnhardt Jr had at Watkins Glen, he can breath a sigh of relief after fininshing 18th, and Kasey Kahne's last lap spin alleviated matters as well.

11. (12) 2-Kurt Busch: Let's say Kurt Busch didn't get penalized; it would have been fun watching him and Kevin Harvick duke it out in those final laps.

12. (11) 9-Kasey Kahne: Kasey Kahne may win races, but if he cannot get that Dodge into the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, then Ray Evernham will have a difficult time explaining to Dodge why he cannot get their star driver into championship contention.

13. (13) 99-Carl Edwards: If Carl Edwards would have won that race at Watkins Glen, I believe he would have performed a double flip.

14. (14) 16-Greg Biffle: I don't think Greg Biffle can say anything positive about his weekend at Watkins Glen.

15. (15) 07-Clint Bowyer: Clint Bowyer finished a solid 14th at the road course of Watkins Glen. You cannot expect much more out of a rookie.

16. (NR) 26-Jamie McMurray: Pit strategy paid off for Jamie McMurray and the #26 crew.

Tie (NR) 12-Ryan Newman: Ryan Newman has emerged as a solid road course racer. Too bad his engine mount broke; he had a top five finish almost in the bag.

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