Category: Hot 20

With a ten race dash to decide a champion, it pretty much makes sense that the best over the final ten events will claim the crown. That certainly was the case once again in 2012 as Brad Keselowski left the field behind, thanks to a rough patch or two for his closest competitors late in the season.

Clint Bowyer was keeping his hopes alive until Jeff Gordon decided to end that in Phoenix, leaving Gordon with minus points on the day.  Jimmie Johnson had back-to-back wins in Martinsville and Texas, but he was outside the top-30 in the final two and likely left about 40 points on the table and the championship.

While the Chasers were doing there thing, Kyle Busch was showing what might have been had he been eligible. No wins, but seven top fives gives the impression that the boy-child we call Rowdy has designs on a place at the dinner table come November. Only Keselowski was better. Kurt Busch moved to a new team for the final five races and finished off with three straight top tens. Might the team from Colorado have found their man to put them into contention?

As we countdown to Daytona, here are the Hot 20 over last season’s final 10…

Pos (Official) Driver- Pts – (Wins-Top Fives-Top Tens)
1 (1) Brad Keselowski – 391 pts (2-3-8)
2 (13) Kyle Busch – 359 pts (0-7-8)
3 (2) Clint Bowyer – 355 pts (1-4-8)
4 (3) Jimmie Johnson – 351 pts (2-6-7)
5 (4) Kasey Kahne – 345 pts (0-5-6)
6 (5) Greg Biffle – 326 pts (0-2-6)
7 (7) Matt Kenseth – 321 pts (2-3-3)
8 (8) Kevin Harvick – 321 pts (1-1-3)
9 (6) Denny Hamlin – 317 pts (1-3-4)
10 (14)Ryan Newman – 317 pts (0-3-6)
11 (10) Jeff Gordon – 303 pts (1-4-6)
12 (9) Tony Stewart – 302 pts (0-2-4)
13 (11) Martin Truex Jr – 299 pts (0-1-5)
14 (17) Joey Logano – 287 pts (0-0-4)
15 (15) Carl Edwards – 283 pts (0-1-2)
16 (20) Aric Almirola – 281 pts (0-1-2)
17 (16) Paul Menard – 275 pts (0-0-0)
18 (12) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 242 pts (0-0-3)
19 (25) Kurt Busch – 236 pts (0-0-3)
20 (19) Jeff Burton – 236 pts (0-0-1)
23 (18) Marcos Ambrose – 215 pts (0-0-0)

[media-credit id=26 align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]When all is said and done at Homestead, the guy who is the hottest over the final ten events could very likely be our champion. How to become that man is not so simple. Winning is good, but not everything. Matt Kenseth has won twice in the Chase, but pending a zombie apocalypse he does not have much of a chance of taking the crown. Avoiding total disaster has its positive points. Kevin Harvick was five times just outside the Top Ten, yet he is out in the weeds behind even Kenseth.

The curve is mighty steep to keep in the hunt. It would seem having at least as many Top Threes as finishes outside the Top 15 would be required to keep one alive in the Chase, and anything outside the Top 30 cooks your goose. Brad Keselowski has a couple of victories with his worst finish being 11th. Jimmie Johnson remains in the hunt with a trio of Top Threes and Denny Hamlin has a win and a runner-up finish to his credit.

Possibly one of our leading contenders could face disaster over the upcoming four events. Maybe two. However, what are the odds of all three faltering before we end the season?

Here is a look at our hottest 20 drivers over the past ten races.

1 (1) Brad Keselowski – 376 pts
Martinsville not nearly as kind to Brad as it has been to his challengers…

2 (3) Denny Hamlin – 375
…for example, 4 Cup wins and seeking a second in the trucks.

3 (4) Clint Bowyer – 358
The last time he was in Victory Circle, so was Kyle Nelson!

4 (5) Kasey Kahne – 351
Sun might be setting on this season, but there is hope for a new dawn next year.

5 (8) Jeff Gordon – 342
If this is frustrating, imagine how Montoya must feel.

6 (6) Martin Truex Jr – 341
One of a couple of reasons Michael Waltrip might be a happy man.

7 (2) Jimmie Johnson – 337
Brad has been better over the past ten, but the final four will decide a champion.

8 (13) Kyle Busch – 326
He might not be a Chaser, but the man remains a true racer.

9 (10) Kevin Harvick – 322
Has not finished worse than 16th in Chase, but no better than 11th (three times)

10 (11) Greg Biffle – 320
Averaging 32 points per race is good, just not at this time of year.

11 (9) Matt Kenseth – 314
Winning is great, but lack of other Top Tens has killed his chances.

12 (7) Tony Stewart – 288
Winning final four might still be too little too late.

13 (16) Paul Menard – 285
Not yet a contender, but third in Kansas makes him no pretender.

14 (18) Joey Logano – 270
If his Cup stats could look like his Nationwide results, he might be on to something.

15 (12) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 267
Two weeks off and still hotter than most…

16 (14) Carl Edwards – 261
…for example, earned just 16 points at Atlanta and Talladega combined.

17 (17) Marcos Ambrose – 260
Could do well this weekend with a few good brakes.

18 (15) Ryan Newman – 259
Bringing back lead singer Matt Borland to the band.

19 (23) Regan Smith – 240
Filled in for Junior in Cup, driving for Junior in Nationwide next year.

20 (19) Jeff Burton – 239
Fewer than 30 drivers are relevant and he remains one of them.

21 (20) Jamie McMurray – 229
Well, I guess he remains hotter than half the guys out there…barely.

[media-credit id=26 align=”alignright” width=”233″][/media-credit]

Be it 29 races or the past ten, the cream still rises to the top. Brad Keselowski has been hot over the past ten races, picking up a couple of wins and finishing in the Top Ten in nine of them. Only a 30th place result in Bristol keeps him among the mere mortals.

Jeff Gordon has been very warm over the same amount of time, but his disaster in Chicago came in a Chase race. That leaves him not only needing to continue to do very well, but hoping bad things happen to the leaders so he might make up some ground. An opening lap Big One, however, might be too much to hope for.

Only ten Chasers continue to average more than 30 points per race as of late. Though it is probably too late for Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart can still get back into things if he can start getting results worthy of a contender instead of a pretender. He has shown not much smoke thus far in this Chase, with his results more like ice fog.

With Talladega slated for this Sunday and the spectra of the Big One always lurking, those who are hot could have things go for not with just a single miscue from someone out there. Pretend you are a politician and tell your neighbors that NASCAR is always as exciting as it promises to be this weekend. I’m sure they will eventually forgive you.

Meanwhile, here are our hot 20 drivers after the past 10 events…

Legend:
(1) – Position in the official standings —  
(0-0-0) – Wins, Top Fives, and Top Tens over the past 10 races

1 (1) Brad Keselowski – 388 pts (2-6-9)
If not for Bristol, he would be perfection.

2 (4) Clint Bowyer – 355 pts (1-3-8)
A Talladega fall three-peat would be sweet.

3 (2) Jimmie Johnson – 352 pts (1-6-6)
Dear Brad: I want my horseshoe back.

4 (10) Jeff Gordon – 347 pts (1-7-7)
Chicago is not his kind of town.

5 (6) Kasey Kahne – 347 pts (0-4-5)
A Talladega tester during the week, another ‘dega win on the weekend?

6 (8) Martin Truex Jr – 345 pts (0-2-7)
Hoping to avoid rough seas, or his ship will sink in Alabama.

7 (3) Denny Hamlin – 336 pts (3-3-5)
It is a good thing that Pocono and the Glen don’t count in the Chase.

8 (11) Greg Biffle – 332 pts (1-2-4)
After Dover rant he could be an American Idol judge.

9 (13) Kyle Busch – 325 pts (0-1-6)
His ideas to change the point system about as good as his title hopes.

10 (9) Kevin Harvick – 315 pts (0-1-2)
Smoke has already goosed Delana; Happy is next.

11 (7) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 311 pts (0-2-4)
Winning hardware at Talladega is a family tradition…

12 (16) Paul Menard – 305 pts (0-0-3)
…owning a hardware store is another.

13 (17) Marcos Ambrose – 303 pts (1-3-4)
Maybe they would like to rethink that crew swap idea.

14 (15) Ryan Newman – 294 pts (0-1-5)
Newman figures the best way to win on Sunday might be to come from the back.

15 (5) Tony Stewart – 293 pts (0-2-5)
Thus far, this contender is just a pretender.

16 (14) Carl Edwards – 269 pts (0-1-3)
Has no chance to win the crown this year; kind of like it is for Kenseth and Biffle

17 (12) Matt Kenseth – 257 pts (0-1-3)
If the big one takes out Brad, Jimmie, Denny, Clint, Tony, and both Juniors early and he wins…

18 (23) Regan Smith – 254 pts (0-0-2)
He is on this list while Furniture Row’s soon to be savior is not.  Time will tell.

19 (18) Joey Logano – 252 pts (0-0-4)
Best damn Nationwide driver in Sprint Cup.

20 (25) Mark Martin – 222 pts (0-2-3)
Averaging more than 31 points per race. Maybe he should drive for Furniture Row.

22 (19) Jeff Burton – 220 pts (0-1-1)
Still loved by RCR, but will the love last beyond his current contract?

24 (20) Jamie McMurray – 216 pts (0-0-0)
15 straight outside the Top Ten and losing a primary sponsor.

[media-credit name=”Dan Sanger” align=”alignright” width=”245″][/media-credit]Three races to go before the Chase deadline. Some like it hot, but over the course of the season find themselves needing wins, not just points, to make the cut. Some have been good over the season, but could last about 5 minutes as legitimate contenders for the title based on how they have performed lately.

Jeff Gordon needs a win or he is toast, yet has had the fourth best numbers in recent events. Kasey Kahne is in the loop due to his two wins to hold down a wildcard spot, but he has been running sixth best these past ten events. Kevin Harvick? Denny Hamlin? I have no doubt both will make it, though a disaster or two over the next three races could still cut down Hamlin. Both have been ice cold lately, so much so that even if they make the Chase it is doubtful they would remain on the radar for any amount of time.

The best of the moment would happen to be Brad Keselowski, but that should come as no surprise. The 28 year old has had a steady climb up the ranks since 2008, finishing third, third, and finally winning the Nationwide title in 2010, then putting up what at present would be back to back fifth place results in the Cup standings. It would be a might too early to engrave the trophy just yet, but it would be wise to at least learn how to spell his name.

Here is a look at our hottest 20 drivers over the past 10 events, including where they place in the official standings, and their wins, Top Fives, and Top Tens over the time period.

1 (5) Brad Keselowski – 376 pts (1-5-7)
“Hendrick betrays us. Wicked, tricksey, false. Gollem. Gollem.”

2 (7) Clint Bowyer – 352 pts (1-3-7)
Best of his best year ever might yet be to come.

3 (4) Jimmie Johnson – 342 pts (1-5-7)
Imagine how he would do if their engine shop could get it right.

4 (16) Jeff Gordon – 339 pts (1-3-6)
Junior is a jerk, the engine shop sucks, but he is a win away from all being well.

5 (1) Greg Biffle – 337 pts (1-3-6)
We should nickname the man after his car. Bad Ass Biffle? I like it!

6 (11) Kasey Kahne – 329 pts (1-4-5)
Two wins in hand, a hot hand as we near the Chase. The odds look good.

7 (3) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 325 pts (1-5-6)
Dear Jeff: Thanks for not wrecking my ass. Love, Junior.

8 (6) Martin Truex Jr – 322 pts (0-1-5)
The winner of the Tony Stewart look-a-like contest is…

9 (9) Tony Stewart – 321 pts (1-5-6)
Has decided not to grow chin whiskers or sideburns for some reason.

10 (17) Marcos Ambrose – 318 pts (1-2-5)
Wildcard format keeps him a contender, and recent results makes him more than a pretender.

11 (2) Matt Kenseth – 318 pts (0-2-5)
That you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone isn’t always true.

12 (13) Ryan Newman – 314 pts (0-1-4)
Of the 12 currently in a Chase spot, has been voted the least likely to succeed.

13 (15) Paul Menard – 301 pts (0-0-2)
The Rodney Dangerfield of NASCAR.

14 (12) Carl Edwards – 299 pts (0-0-3)
New crew chief, 4 races, 2 runner-up finishes, not enough.

15 (8) Kevin Harvick – 298 pts (0-0-2)
If he were global warming, the deep south would be a deep freeze.

16 (10) Denny Hamlin – 263 pts (0-3-4)
Baby on the way, so for a name might I suggest…Chase?

17 (14) Kyle Busch – 263 pts (0-1-3)
A few points behind Newman, light years from being a real contender…at the moment.

18 (19) Jamie McMurray – 260 pts (0-0-1)
The best thing going for Earnhardt Ganassi, but that it not saying much.

19 (18) Joey Logano – 250 pts (1-2-3)
At 22, having a better season than as a 19-year old phenom, and that might not be good enough.

20 (20) Jeff Burton – 244 pts (0-1-1)
Not exactly in the outhouse, but a chamber pot analogy might be in order

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”224″][/media-credit]Eight races to go before the dozen contenders for the 2012 championship are determined. The top ten look solid to stay there, barring some very bad luck, leaving just the two wildcard spots for those holding the most wins. Clint Bowyer has a 31 point lead over Carl Edwards in the battle for tenth, while Kasey Kahne has a win but the way he is running seems to indicate that he is not quite finished visiting Victory Circle just yet.

Of course, the Chase came to be after Matt Kenseth gave up wins for consistency to take the crown back in 2003. Isn’t ironic that, nine years later, Kenseth once again leads the way, with just a single win to his credit?

Here is a look at our hottest 20 drivers over the past ten events…

()=Official ranking

1 (1) Matt Kenseth – 381 pts – (0 Wins, 4 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens)
We’ve learned that winning even a championship sometimes does not keep the love alive.

2 (2) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 360 pts – (1-4-7)
Dare we dream.

3 (9) Brad Keselowski – 356 pts – (2-3-5)
A star is born.

4 (10) Clint Bowyer – 345 pts – (1-2-6)
Running well, and with a 31 point lead over Edwards, he is doing just fine.

5 (4) Jimmie Johnson – 343 pts – (2-5-7)
Mrs. Johnson liked the beard, he kept it. Would she also like another trophy in the case at home?

6 (16) Kasey Kahne – 334 pts – (1-4-7)
Three points out of a wild card spot, and he is hot, hot, hot.

7 (5) Tony Stewart – 321 pts – (1-6-6)
Winner at Daytona, even though he got hosed before the race.

8 (3) Greg Biffle – 320 pts – (0-3-4)
Outside Top 20 in back to back races.

9 (6) Kevin Harvick – 299 pts – (0-1-3)
Got to go buy a tiny firesuit.

10 (12) Kyle Busch – 298 pts – (1-4-5)
Winning isn’t everything. Yah, right.

11 (7) Denny Hamlin – 295 pts – (0-5-5)
Outside Top 20 only four times, but three have come in the last four events.

12 (11) Carl Edwards – 290 pts – (0-0-4)
Best finish of the year was 5th. Needs to improve that by four.

13 (13) Paul Menard – 289 pts – (0-0-1)
6th at Daytona in February remains his high water mark of 2012.

14 (8) Martin Truex Jr – 287 pts – (0-1-3)
He and Harvick are the only two Chase contenders minus a victory

15 (17) Jeff Gordon – 285 pts – (0-1-4)
Only needs to win two of next eight.

16 (19) Marcos Ambrose – 283 pts – (0-0-4)
Did not need that wreck at Daytona.

17 (14) Joey Logano – 282 pts – (1-2-5)
If he makes the Chase, does he still get the boot?

18 (20) Jamie McMurray – 272 pts – (0-0-1)
Has been known to lead a few laps, but not so much this year.

19 (18) Jeff Burton – 269 pts – (0-1-2)
October 11, 2008 marked his last win and his last year in the Chase.

20 (15) Ryan Newman – 253 pts – (0-1-1)
Will Newman retreat next season along with the U.S. Army?

[media-credit name=”Crystal MacLeod” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]NASCAR boring? Say it isn’t so. More and more we are seeing opinion pieces that say the product has become a snoozefest, that the racing has become cautious. The big tracks have delivered, as both Daytona and Talladega kept one glued to the screen. Bristol, to my surprise, was not. Fontana? Almost never.

Some blame the points system, where one miscue, one wreck, can hurt more than the former system ever did. Some agree with Rusty Wallace, claiming that 36 race weeks is just too many to keep fans interested. I disagree, but running Talladega 36 times is out of the question. Some want wrecks, yet 1.5-mile tracks such as Charlotte, Kansas, Fort Worth, and Las Vegas provided none.

Is there really a problem? Well, type “NASCAR ratings cautions” on your browser, then you tell me. While baseball can offer up the Cubs and Padres, we can choose to ignore that game to watch the Dodgers take on the Nationals. In NASCAR, if they are in Fontana that week, you can’t switch the channel to take in the action at Sonoma.

If they insist on 36 races, then 36 races should have an identity that outlives their current sponsor. The Daytona 500, the Southern 500, and the Brickyard 400 have that. The World 600 would still be around long after Coca Cola decides to spend its money on something else. Tell me, does anyone give a damn about the Subway Fresh Fit 500, the Auto Club 400, or the Goody’s Fast Relief 500? Try bragging to the grandkids about that big win twenty years from now.

Television is all about excitement and entertainment. When it comes to being hot, at the moment NASCAR is not. Sadly, it is their own damn fault.

Here is a look at those who are the hottest 20 Cup drivers over the past ten events.

( ) = Official Ranking

Pos – Driver – Points – (Wins, Top Fives, Top Tens)

1 (1) Greg Biffle – 370 pts – (1-5-6)
Racing is conservative, attendance is down, but the Biff leads the parade.

2 (2) Matt Kenseth – 364 pts (0-5-7)
Some things are worth repeating.

3 (4) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 363 pts (0-3-8)
Miffed a military sponsorship ban in NASCAR is being led by a Republican from Georgia. Georgia!!!

4 (5) Jimmie Johnson – 362 pts (1-4-7)
Introduced his gasman to real drag racing.

5 (3) Denny Hamlin – 348 pts (1-4-5)
Doesn’t know what it takes to go fast at Dover, but I think a fast car might help.

6 (9) Tony Stewart – 336 pts (2-4-5)
Smoke: the driver, the tires, the ears.

7 (6) Martin Truex Jr – 333 pts (0-4-6)
Running good in the final year of a contract is highly recommended.

8 (8) Kyle Busch – 325 pts (1-5-6)
Nationwide team owner would never, ever fire his driver for Saturday…would he?

9 (12) Clint Bowyer – 319 pts (0-1-5)
Doesn’t need to win to make the Chase, but finishing ahead of Carl would sure help.

10 (7) Kevin Harvick – 317 pts (0-1-4)
Happy where he is, but not so much when it comes to where he has been heading lately.

11 (11) Brad Keselowski – 316 pts (2-3-5)
Sorry about your little car, Tony. Oh, Lord, I am so sorry.

12 (10) Carl Edwards – 309 pts (0-2-7)
There are no guarantees, but Dover and Carl have been pretty chummy in the past.

13 (15) Kasey Kahne – 305 pts (1-3-6)
Things go better with Coca Cola…

14 (13) Ryan Newman – 291 pts (1-2-3)
When it comes to give and take, the Rocket Man prefers taking.

15 (14) Paul Menard – 285 pts (0-0-2)
Needs to start turning Top 20’s into Top Tens.

16 (21) Jamie McMurray – 265 pts (0-0-2)
18 Dover races, 18 finishes. That has to account for something.

17 (18) Juan Pablo Montoya – 255 pts (0-0-1)
Average finish of 25th in his last three this season. That has to change.

18 (17) Jeff Burton – 248 pts (0-0-2)
If he moved to Georgia, I know where this future politician could get elected.

19 (19) Aric Almirola – 248 pts (0-0-1)
Might be turning the corner, but still outside the Top 20 in half of this season’s races.

20 (16) Joey Logano – 244 pts (0-0-1)
At 22, his future with Gibbs could be in doubt?

21 (20) Marcus Ambrose – 244 pts (0-0-1)
Marcus makes the cut, Kurt and Jeff do not. ‘Nuff said.

[media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]If you were tuning in to NASCAR as of late for the excitement, for the thrills, and the spills, you would had better results finding all that by trying to barbecue in the nude. For fans who closely follow the sport, it was more than a bunch of guys turning left, but for those who are not…that pretty much sums it up. That changes on Sunday.

Junior will win to end his long slump and take over top spot in the standings after ten races. There, I said it. Now it only needs to happen. No biggy.

Here is a look at our hottest drivers over the past ten events…

1. Matt Kenseth – 369 pts – (1 Win, 6 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens)
Best over past ten at Talladega is 14th. Well, it was fun up here while it lasted.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 366 pts (0-4-6)
2nd in the standings, 2nd at Kansas, 1st at Talladega

3. Denny Hamlin – 364 pts (2-4-6)
Be it a family celebration or a NASCAR race, nothing beats good Grubb.

4. Martin Truex Jr – 358 pts (0-4-7)
Like brother Ryan and Wally Dallenbach, he is a real Jersey Boy.

5. Tony Stewart – 354 pts (3-4-5)
It is better to give than receive. Yah, right.

6. Kevin Harvick – 350 pts (0-2-6)
I become an uncle again next week, while Delana is about ten weeks away.

7. Greg Biffle – 348 pts (1-5-6)
Staying with the same theme, little Emma turns one in July.

8. Carl Edwards – 331 pts (0-3-7)
It’s the restarts, stupid.

9. Jimmie Johnson – 327 pts (0-4-7)
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, keep them tires rollin’…

10. Ryan Newman – 310 pts (1-2-3)
Did you know that half of the Rocket Man’s 12 poles came a decade ago?

11. Clint Bowyer – 302 pts (0-1-5)
Hoping to ride a Crimson Tide to victory.

12. Kyle Busch – 287 pts (1-2-4)
To whomever tossed that plastic bottle at Kansas…thanks!

13. Brad Keselowski – 277 pts (1-2-4)
If he sees Carl just ahead as they come to the line, what will he do this time?

14. Paul Menard – 277 pts (0-0-3)
You would think a man named Slugger would be okay with a little pushing in the pits.

15. Joey Logano – 266 pts (0-0-2)
He is 6 inches taller than me, and a hundred pounds lighter. What the hell?

16. Jeff Gordon – 261 pts (0-2-3)
Worst season since 1992, but he only ran one race in 1992.

17. Juan Pablo Montoya – 253 pts (0-0-1)
Gentlemen, hide your blow driers.

18. Jamie McMurray – 250 pts (0-0-2)
30 months after he won at Talladega, a trip down memory lane would be nice.

19. Jeff Burton – 249 pts (0-1-3)
One of the most articulate in the garage hasn’t had much opportunity to say much lately.

20. Kasey Kahne – 242 pts (0-1-4)
Went from the good hands people to having to provide Farmers Insurance assurance.

21. A.J. Allmendinger – 242 pts (0-1-1)
Talladega puts the dinger in Allmendinger.

[media-credit name=”Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images” align=”alignright” width=”223″][/media-credit]He isn’t on this list, but after Martinsville just about everyone was a little hot at David Reutimann for his keeping his dying car on the track and forcing a caution rather than hitting the pits. It changed the outcome of the event, but in Reutimann’s defense they did have a slim shot at making three more laps, which would have given them one more point in the race and a tie for 35th in owner’s points.

Hoping they were under a cloak of invisibility, they tried to crawl around the half mile track at half speed. By the time NASCAR noticed three penguins and an old guy in a walker blazing by Reutimann, and threw the black flag, it was too late. The engine died, and so did the hopes of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Well, I guess that is one way to make headlines.

After the rather surprising conclusion to Martinsville, a few of the boys managed to heat up even more so over the past ten events. Martin Truex Jr finished 5th on Sunday, which jumped him six spots on our board to be Tony Stewart’s runner-up. He has not finished outside the Top 20 over that time, with 17th at Las Vegas his worse finish of this season.

Others with a warming trend include Dale Earnhardt Jr, Ryan Newman, and A.J. Allmendinger, with the Dinger needing to move up from his 20th place position in the official rankings. It is usually hot in Texas, but the extreme weather experienced there this week has them in our thoughts and prayers.

( ) = Official ranking this season

Hot 20 over the past 10 events…

1 (3) Tony Stewart – 399 pts (5 Wins -6 Top Fives -7 Top Tens)
We just thank God he hasn’t tried any Carl-like backflips after his wins.

2 (4) Martin Truex Jr – 352 pts (0-3-7)
Worst finish? 20th, at Phoenix, last November.

3 (2) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 347 pts (0-3-6)
Happy days are here again…

4 (6) Kevin Harvick – 347 pts (0-3-5)
Easter Bunny is nice, but the stork is what the Harvicks are waiting for.

5 (11) Carl Edwards – 345 pts (0-5-7)
Trying to convince Tony to try a backflip…just one.

6 (7) Denny Hamlin – 341 pts (1-3-5)
What I love about Denny Hamlin is… [this site under construction]

7 (8) Ryan Newman – 337 pts (1-3-5)
Win and you make your team mate happy…the one who can fire your arse.

8 (1) Greg Biffle – 336 pts (0-4-5)
In 2012 has been either 3rd, 6th, or 13th.

9 (9) Clint Bowyer – 325 pts (0-1-6)
Almost stole a win on Sunday, but Mr. Gordon said “no.”

10 (5) Matt Kenseth – 321 pts (1-5-5)
Things could be even sweeter after he exorcises the fall races at Martinsville and Phoenix.

11 (10) Jimmie Johnson – 306 pts (0-2-5)
I wonder if he thinks Reutimann should get slapped with a 25 point penalty?

12 (15) Jeff Burton – 295 pts (0-2-5)
Back-to-back 22nd place finishes cools his jets.

13 (14) Paul Menard – 279 pts (0-0-4)
Discovered last month it is more dangerous to ride with Regan Smith than in his Cup car.

14 (20) A.J. Allmendinger – 278 pts (0-1-3)
A visit to the infield care center, second place finish, and a week off just what the doctor ordered.

15 (12) Brad Keselowski – 275 pts (1-2-3)
Can be great, good, all right, or just plain lousy. Welcome to Brad’s world.

16 (21) Jeff Gordon – 268 pts (0-2-4)
First there was the bogeyman, then came the Reutimann.

17 (13) Joey Logano – 258 pts (0-0-2)
Two Top Tens to start the season, not much since.

18 (31) Kasey Kahne – 238 pts (1-2-3)
If this keeps up, he’ll soon be the new Jamie McMurray.

19 (18) Juan Pablo Montoya – 237 pts (0-0-1)
Finished 8th at Bristol, hit a dryer at Daytona, not much else to report.

20 (17) Regan Smith – 235 pts (0-0-0)
The Jeremiah Johnsons are on the map.

25 (16) Kyle Busch – 200 pts (0-1-2)
It could be worse. He could be Kurt.

32 (19) Aric Almirola – 144 pts (0-0-1)
If only we showcased the Top 20 over the past 6.

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”266″][/media-credit]Taking Tony Stewart as part of your fantasy team usually doesn’t pay off too much this time of year. Apparently, Tony just decided that March is the new June, to add two wins in five events to the five in ten he chalked up in the fall.

In fact, it is the quickest he has ever won two in a season, which he has done in all but one of his 14 campaigns. The previous best was May 5, 2002 at Richmond, the eleventh race of that year. Now, with two wins in March, he already has pretty much secured a place in the Chase. Talk about sitting pretty, which is something few have ever accused Tony of being.

Here is a look at our hottest twenty drivers over the past ten events, going back to Talladega last fall.

1. Tony Stewart – 401 pts – (5 wins, 6 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens)
NASCAR, all Tony all the time.

2. Carl Edwards – 346 pts – (0-5-7)
The gap between Mr. Consistency and Mr. Victory is starting to widen.

3. Denny Hamlin – 338 pts – (1-3-5)
What is there not to like about Denny? Well, my space here is limited…

4. Clint Bowyer – 336 pts – (1-2-6)
Life isn’t fair. I go bald, but Clint went blonde.

5. Greg Biffle – 336 pts – (0-4-5)
My Biffle’s back and you’re gonna be in trouble, hey-la-day-la…

6. Kevin Harvick – 335 pts – (0-3-5)
Take away Talladega, and Happy is even better than Edwards.

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 325 pts – (0-2-5)
It might be weird, but don’t be afeared of the man with the beard, but if he wins be a-skeered.

8. Martin Truex Jr – 322 pts – (0-2-7)
This is what happens when you finish in the Top Twenty over the past 10.

9. Jeff Burton – 316 pts – (0-3-6)
If poor results were a tad less poor he could be a contender

10. Matt Kenseth – 307 pts – (1-4-4)
When Matt is good, he is very, very good, but when he is bad, he is horrid.

11. Ryan Newman – 297 pts – (0-2-4)
If I had to pick a Rocket Man, I would give Ryan the nod over Elton John.

12. Paul Menard – 293 pts – (0-0-4)
The Rodney Dangerfield of NASCAR has to be getting some respect about now.

13. Jimmie Johnson – 292 pts – (0-3-5)
Happy he got the points back, but tired of Chad trying to hit him up for a loan.

14. Brad Keselowski – 280 pts – (1-3-3)
Got his win and staying close in points, it is good to be Brad Keselowski.

15. Kasey Kahne – 271 pts – (1-2-4)
If not for his Red Bull stats his 10-race performance would be pure bull.

16. Joey Logano – 257 pts – (0-0-2)
Not a front runner, not a tailgater, just a middle of the road kind of guy.

17. Jeff Gordon – 254 pts – (0-2-4)
Gas man figures Jeff should go through the self-service line.

18. A.J. Allmendinger – 249 pts – (0-0-2)
Might not be exactly dominating just yet, but he is here and neither Busch is.

19. Mark Martin – 243 pts – (0-0-2)
Probably afraid to retire. Look at what happened to Rusty.

20. Juan Pablo Montoya – 236 pts – (0-0-1)
When your season highlight is crashing into a jet dryer, you got some work to do.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]With the roar of the engines having returned to Daytona, a new season is about to dawn upon us. We have a new, albeit recycled, champion, more Danica to watch for, a return of the kid to defend his Daytona title in a few weeks, and the results of a musical chair silly season. While 40 teams hope to run full-time, a few of them won’t matter much as we get into the season.

We get to look forward to discovering what Mark Martin has left in the tank as he returns to part-time status. We will get to watch for growth in the few races Danica Patrick, Trevor Bayne, and Austin Dillon will run this year. We should soon find out if Aric Amirola is actually ready for prime time as he takes over in the famed #43. However, the 2012 champ will probably come from the list of the hottest 30 drivers coming out of the final ten events of 2011.

Pos – Driver – Points/Past 10 – (Top Tens)

1. Tony Stewart – 403 pts – (5 wins -6 Top Fives -9 Top Tens)
Considering what happened to the last crew chief, maybe it’s best they win early and often.

2. Carl Edwards – 400 pts – (0-7-9)
Consistency apparently trumps wins 4 out of ten times…but not 5.

3. Kasey Kahne – 368 pts – (1-5-7)
And just like that, Kasey becomes the hottest Hendrick driver entering the new season.

4. Kevin Harvick – 333 pts – (0-2-6)
Even after selling truck team, can DeLana keep her fire suit? Please.

5. Clint Bowyer – 328 pts – (1-1-7)
And just like that, Clint becomes the hottest Waltrip driver entering the new season.

6. Matt Kenseth – 324 pts – (1-5-6)
2003 champ has finished in the Top 15 in each of the past dozen years.

7, Brad Keselowski – 319 pts – (0-4-4)
Soon to be 27 year old seems to have arrived, and Roger Penske couldn’t be happier.

8. Jeff Burton – 317 pts – (0-2-4)
The finish was alright, but the season was his worst since 1995.

9. Jimmie Johnson – 301 pts – (1-3-4)
Compared to the previous five years, thought the Las Vegas table service sucked in 2011.

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 290 pts – (0-1-3)
I wonder what he needs in 2012? Oh, yah, wins, starting in February.

11. Greg Biffle – 284 pts – (0-2-3)
Can always be found among the Top 20, but now has to reach for the top dozen to attain goals.

12. Denny Hamlin – 284 pts – (0-1-4)
Could have been a contender, but after Chicago and New Hampshire was left a pretender.

13. A.J. Allmendinger – 282 pts – (0-0-4)
It is a dog gone pity Petty lost him to Penske, as they will soon discover.

14. Ryan Newman – 281 pts – (0-1-4)
Does Aspen Dental sponsorship give him another reason to smile?

15. Paul Menard – 280 pts – (0-0-1)
Daddy’s money is still important, but easily coming off his best season.

16. Jeff Gordon – 278 pts – (0-3-4)
He and Kasey will have competition this year from Danica as NASCAR’s prettiest driver.

17. Brian Vickers – 275 pts – (0-2-2)
At 28, even this non-Vickers fan thinks it’s a bit too early to put this fellow out to pasture.

18. Marcos Ambrose – 263 pts – (0-1-4)
Won at the Glen, and now needs to be the Petty standard bearer in 2012.

19. Kurt Busch – 259 pts – (1-1-2)
That champion’s provisional could turn out to be rather handy this season.

20. Juan Pablo Montoya – 253 pts – (0-0-1)
The time is now, needs to step up his game as he enters his sixth full Cup season.

21. Martin Truex Jr – 247 pts – (0-1-4)
If he can regain his old form, this could be a good year to be Michael Waltrip.

22. Mark Martin – 247 pts – (0-0-2)
Sharing the #55 with his new boss, but will he also share his rocking chair with Mikey?

23. Kyle Busch – 234 pts – (0-1-2)
Apparently feels about trucks driven by Ron Hornaday the same way I feel about Smart cars.

24. Regan Smith – 231 pts – (0-0-1)
Furniture Row and Smith claimed their first win, the 2011 Southern 500, and first 5 Top Tens.

25. Joey Logano – 231 pts – (0-0-0)
He can do it, but now it is up to new Crew Chief Jason Ratcliff to help.

26. David Ragan – 229 pts – (0-0-1)
And just like that, David becomes the hottest Front Row driver entering the new season.

27. David Reutimann – 201 pts – (0-0-1)
And just like that, this David becomes the hottest Tommy Baldwin driver…and that is sad.

28. Jamie McMurray – 185 pts – (0-0-0)
Proof positive that the end of 2011 was a bloody disaster.

29. Dave Blaney – 159 pts – (0-0-1)
Anyone expect a breakout year by either Baldwin team? Anyone?

30. Casey Mears – 154 pts – (0-0-0)
I’m not superstitious, but that #13 just seems to be tempting fate.