Jimmie Johnson Goes For History
Suite 16 NASCAR Rankings- After Checker 500 at Phoenix
Every week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.
Jimmie Johson won his fourth consecutive race Sunday at Phoenix after he held off Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle. It was another case of Johnson taking the lead late in a race in which he did not lead much throughout the early going. It is safe to say that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are in the zone especially once the race enters its closing laps. They now own a cozy 86 point advantage over his teammate Jeff Gordon heading into the season finale at Homestead.
Jimmie Johnson joins Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win four consecutive races in the Modern Era. The last time a drive won five races in a row was Richard Petty in 1971.
1. (1) 48-Jimmie Johnson: Five wins in a row, and 11 wins in a single season is unheard of in today’s NASCAR. But that could go down in the record books courtesy of Jimmie Johnson and the 48 team.
2. (2) 24-Jeff Gordon: You almost have to feel sorry for Jeff Gordon. He has recorded a phenomenal year, only to watch his protégé take the title. Well, it’s not over yet, things are not looking as good for Gordon as they are for Jimmie Johnson.
3. (3) 07-Clint Bowyer: Clint Bowyer is not out of it yet. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon could be found cheating and docked 500 points.
4. (5) 20-Tony Stewart: This may be perceived as one of Tony Stewart’s down years; however, he could end the season with 24 top tens.
5. (4) 5-Kyle Busch: ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’! That was the theme song for Kyle Busch at Phoenix this past weekend.
6. (8) 29-Kevin Harvick: I doubt that Kevin Harvick really cares that Jeff Gordon is racing for a championship. You don’t want to bang fenders with Happy.
7. (7) 2-Kurt Busch: It’s hard to believe it has been three years since Kurt Busch clinched his first Nextel Cup championship.
8. (10) 17-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth, along with Tony Stewart, are the two most likely drivers to unseat the two Hendrick Motorsports twins.
9. (9) 1-Martin Truex Jr: You see, that no tire strategy only works if Chad Knaus is your crew chief.
10. (6) 99-Carl Edwards: Carl Edwards lack the consistency it takes to be an elite driver in NASCAR.
11. (11) 31-Jeff Burton: Jeff Burton is about to wrap up another solid season.
12. (13) 12-Ryan Newman: Four top fives, five top tens in the nine Chase for the Championship races…Hence, Ryan Newman is really looking forward to the 2008 Sprint Cup season.
13. (12) 11-Denny Hamlin: Denny Hamlin has been one of the biggest flops since the Chase for the Championship began.
14. (NR) 16-Greg Biffle: Greg Biffle is going for his fourth consecutive win at Homestead.
15. (14) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr: It’s hard to believe that we will only see Dale Earnhardt Jr in that red Budweiser car one more time. Even if you are not an Earnhardt Jr fan, it’s kind of sad.
16. (NR) 25-Casey Mears: Casey Mears will be out to prove that he is not the ‘other’ driver at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008.
Past Suite 16 Rankings
UAW Daimler Chrysler 400, at Las Vegas
Goody's Orange Cool 500, at Martinsville
Subway Fresh Fit 500, at Phoenix
Crown Royal/Jim Stewart 400, at Richmond
Dodge Avenger 500, at Darlington
Citizens Bank 400, at Michigan
Toyota Save Mart 350, at Infineon
LENOX Industrial Tools 300, at New Hampshire
USG Sheetrock 400, at Chicagoland
All-State 400, at Indianapolis
Centurion Boats At The Glen, Watkins Glen
3M Performance 400, at Michigan
Sharp Aquos 500, at California
Chevy Rock & Roll 400, at Richmond
Sylvania 300, at New Hampshire
Bank Of America 500, at Lowe's
