Each week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.
1. (1) 48-Jimmie Johnson
His sixth-place come out of nowhere finish got more publicity than Matt Kenseth's win.
2. (2) 17-Matt Kenseth
As good as Matt Kenseth is performing, he is still 74 markers behind Jimmie Johnson in the Nextel Cup standings.
3. (3) 9-Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne and the #9 team have the 1.5-milers down, but they still have room for improvement on the racetracks that are 1-mile or shorter.
4. (4) 6-Mark Martin
Pit stops can win you a race, and they can lose you a race, like what happened to Mark Martin on Sunday at Dover.
5. (6) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Earnhardt Jr continues to generate solid finishes week after week.
6. (5) 20-Tony Stewart
I don't know what hurt worse for Tony Stewart, his shoulder, or having to relinquish his ride to Ricky Rudd during the first caution.
7. (7) 29-Kevin Harvick
I'm a little surprised that Kevin Harvick didn't give Jamie McMurray the ol' bump'n'run.
8. (8) 31-Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton rivals Kasey Kahne as the most improved driver in 2006.
9. (10) 16-Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle is still hovering around the top ten in the Nextel Cup standings.
10. (9) 24-Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon finishes 12th in a car that ran among the top six or seven all day, and Jimmie Johnson finishes sixth in a car that spent most of the day 20th or worse, and got spun out. Incredibly uncanny!
11. (13) 5-Kyle Busch
It was a much less divisive week for Kyle Busch, thank goodness!
12. (11) 11-Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin won the Raybestos Rookie Of The Race for the fourth week in a row.
13. (15) 26-Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray's second place finish will be considered a fluke unless he backs it's up with several strong performances.
14. (12) 99-Carl Edwards
Dover hasn't been one of Carl Edwards' better racetracks in the Nextel Cup series.
15. (14) 42-Casey Mears
Chip Ganassi Racing is beginning to perform as mediocre as the Penske Racing group.
16. (NR) 12-Ryan Newman:
It took thirteen races to come about, but 'Rocketman' Ryan Newman finally won his first Bud Pole Award at Dover
email the author: autoracing@suite101.com
Past Suite 16 Rankings
