Suite 16 Rankings- Dover
The top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers after the Autism Speaks 400
Every week, Suite 101 ranks the top 16 NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers based on results and performance.
Overshadowing the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover is the tragic passing of Bill France Jr, the son of NASCAR’s founder Bill France Sr.
1. (1) 24-Jeff Gordon: The fact that Jeff Gordon’s ninth place finish was the best all Hendrick Motorsports drivers is just a surprising as Martin Truex Jr’s dominating win.
2. (2) 48-Jimmie Johnson: There is still quite a gap between Jimmie Johnson in second and Denny Hamlin in third.
3. (3) 11-Denny Hamlin: You have Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson clearly in a class of their own, but just a step behind them in tier 2 is Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth.
4. (4) 17-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth is a younger version of Mark Martin, except he is taller, and has a championship.
5. (6) 31-Jeff Burton: Jeff Burton has been rather silent since his win at Texas in April.
6. (5) 20-Tony Stewart: Too bad Kurt Busch will not be attending Tony Stewart’s ‘Prelude to a Dream’ race.
7. (9) 99-Carl Edwards: Judging by the previous two Car Of Tomorrow races at Darlington and Dover, Carl Edwards has this new car figured out better than any of the other Roush Fenway drivers.
8. (8) 29-Kevin Harvick: Looking forward to Kevin Harvick’s take on the Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart incident.
9. (12) 07-Clint Bowyer: If you were to tell me that Casey Mears and Martin Truex Jr would win their first race before Clint Bowyer, I would have thought you were crazy.
10. (15) 1-Martin Truex Jr: Junior wins Dover! Martin Truex Jr that is!
11. (13) 01-Mark Martin: Even in the 01 car, Mark Martin is still Mr. Consistency.
12. (10) 8-Dale Earnhardt Jr: Even after Martin Truex Jr’s win at Dover, Dale Earnhardt Jr will be DEI’s flagship driver until he climbs out of the 8 car at Homestead in November.
13. (7) 2-Kurt Busch: Initially, I had ranked Kurt Busch 11th, but I penalized him two positions for bad behavior. I’m sure he is just torn up about it.
14. (11) 5-Kyle Busch: Kyle Busch has to be somewhat relieved that he is not the Busch brother that will be profoundly censured this week.
15. (NR) 12-Ryan Newman: Now that looked like the Ryan Newman from 2002 to 2004.
16. (NR) 16-Greg Biffle: If it were not for Dale Earnhardt Jr, Greg Biffle would be dominating silly season.
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
