Every week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.
Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick Motorsports organization continue to put an old-fashioned hurtin' on the rest of the field. Gordon won his sixth race of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup season. Additionally, it was the fourteenth victory for Hendrick Motorsports. This kind of dominance is arguably humdrum to a majority of hardcore fans.
Jimmie Johnson led the majority of the first-half of the race, but he lost track position, and eventually spun out. Although his car received minimal damage, he was unable rebound and would finish 14th. NASCAR's emerging star, Clint Bowyer, dominated the second half of the race, but he was overtaken by Jeff Gordon late in the race. Ryan Newman juked Gordon, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer on the restart with five laps to go, and appeared well on his way to his first victory since September of 2005. Unfortunately, a cut tire ended Newman's aspirations of victory, and once again, it was Gordon's race to lose. Well, he did not lose!
1. (1) 24-Jeff Gordon: When it is your year, it’s just your year! And by the way things tend to work out for Jeff Gordon, it is obviously his year.
2. (2) 48-Jimmie Johnson: Maybe the magic that Jimmie Johnson had at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has subsided a little.
3. (4) 07-Clint Bowyer: Even if Clint Bowyer fails to capture the NASCAR Nextel Cup crown this year, he will be one of the favorites heading into 2008.
4. (3) 20-Tony Stewart: Tony Stewart has feuded with David Gilliland and Paul Menard at some point this season. Who’s next, A.J. Allmendinger?
5. (5) 99-Carl Edwards: Carl Edwards posts his best finish since his win at Dover last month.
6. (9) 5-Kyle Busch: You know that deep down, Kyle Busch wanted to send Jeff Gordon for a little spin. Maybe next year Kyle!
7. (6) 2-Kurt Busch: It is hard to believe that as well as Kurt Busch has ran this year, he only has recorded 11 top ten finishes in 31 races.
8. (7) 29-Kevin Harvick: Kevin Harvick is one of the many Chase for the Championship contenders limping down the homestretch.
9. (8) 11-Denny Hamlin: Denny Hamlin will emerge a one of the favorites for the upcoming race at Martinsville. The kid is fast on the short tracks.
10. (10) 1-Martin Truex Jr: It was a surprisingly mediocre evening for Martin Truex Jr at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
11. (12) 31-Jeff Burton: Jeff Burton scores his first top five since the Chase for the Championship began.
12. (11) 17-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth has been hanging around Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr too much. Ill fortune is contagious.
13. (15) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr: Dale Earnhardt Jr better pay Jeff Gordon back before they become teammates in 2008. If not, it will make for a trendy storyline- ‘Hendrick teammates, NASCAR’s two most popular drivers feuding!’
14. (13) 12-Ryan Newman: There is a silver lining; Ryan Newman has been leading with five laps to go in two consecutive races. Compared to last year, this team has been light years better as far as performance is concerned.
15. (14) 25-Casey Mears: No Lowe’s sweep for Casey Mears this year.
16. (NR) 22-Dave Blaney: Dave Blaney is clearly the top running Toyota Camry driver as of now. That will likely change in 2008 when Joe Gibbs Racing comes on board.
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
