Talladega 2 NASCAR Power Rankings
What you’re seeing here is a sample from what I write at Onpitrow.com. To see the more visually appealing version it click here.
1. Jimmie Johnson- 6 Wins, 21 Top Tens
Johnson will race so conservatively at Talladega that I personally wouldn’t be surprised if he settles for a 15th place finish. Last year he drove the most conservative race that I ever seen out of the 48.
2. Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 23 Top Tens
Gordon now sits 150 points out of the lead so he needs maximum points every race just to even put himself in a position to gain on the 48. I think Gordon will beat Johnson at two of the last four races, but that won’t be enough.
3. Juan Pablo Montoya – 7 Top Fives, 17 Top Tens
Another week, another good finish. I’m amazed that they’ve had so many good races in the Chase and yet somehow they’re 200 points back. If he didn’t have problems at Lowes then he would be within 100 points.
4. Mark Martin – 5 Wins, 19 Top Tens
According to Martin after Talladega is when we’ll first be able to hear about how he views his Championship hopes. Mark has only raced here once since 2006, and that didn’t turn out so good.
5. Tony Stewart – 4 Wins, 22 Top Tens
It’s not mathematically official yet but in my opinion it’s over for the 14. Stewart may be able to make up a considerable amount of points on the 48 at Talladega, but I think he’ll lose them at Texas and Phoenix.
6. Kurt Busch – 1 Win, 18 Top Tens
Statistically speaking Kurt Busch is the top driver in the series at Talladega. He’s never won here, but he does have an knack for finishing races at Talladega.
7. Denny Hamlin – 3 Wins, 17 Top Tens
On Sunday Hamlin captured his second career win at Martinsville and his third of the season. Now the question in my mind is when will Hamlin win at a track that isn’t either flat or short?
8. Ryan Newman – 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens
Ryan Newman collected his second pole of the season at Martinsville and he also tied his Chase best finish of 7th. Newman is also currently 7th in points.
9. Kasey Kahne – 2 Wins, 13 Top Tens
One of my Talladega rules of thumb is that if your in a bad streaking heading into Talladega don’t expect to get spared from the big one. In 11 races at Talladega Kahne only has 1 top ten finish.
10. Greg Biffle – 9 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens
Greg Biffle says that he doesn’t like Martinsville and he went out there and proved it. I sure would love to hear thoughts on Talladega where in 13 races he only has 1 top ten and 5 DNF’s.
11. Carl Edwards – 7 Top Fives, 13 Top Tens
Carl Edwards had a little better day going for him then his final finish position shows. It wasn’t to much better though. This team can’t wait until the season is over. I expect them to be really good in 2010, but this year is a complete flop.
12. Brian Vickers – 1 Win, 13 Top Tens
With his 11th place finish at Martinsville Vickers tied his 2008 last ten races best finish (also at Martinsville). History doesn’t repeat itself though because the 83 team wasn’t caught cheating this year.
