Category: Hot 20

Carl Edwards is hot. He is the man atop the official standings with just four races to go. However, there has been one better over the past ten. Brad Keselowski finished 4th at Talladega, compared to the 11th for Edwards, to maintain a torrid pace when it counts the most.

[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”274″][/media-credit]Up next is Martinsville, a track Cousin Carl has never won at, one that could see him falter. It might not be enough to save Jimmie Johnson’s hopes of maintaining his lock on the title, but it could open a door for Keselowski, Matt Kenseth, or Tony Stewart. The Fat Lady may have already sang her tune for some and is warming up for the others, but the championship has not yet been decided.

While the official standings has Edwards up on the third place Keselowski by 18 points, he got three bonus points for his win at Las Vegas last winter. Brad had three wins, but got credit for none when they rejigged the points for the Chase as he failed to make the Top Ten and got advanced due to his victory tally. If he could have improved on horrid runs he experienced at Talladega, Richmond, or Loudon early in the season the smart money might be on the fellow from Michigan and not the man from Missouri. It still might be a bet to consider with four runs to go.

One more thing to consider is the fact Edwards finished 18th at Martinsville this spring, and his average finish there is 16th. Until we see what takes place on Sunday, the engraver can sit back a little longer before he thinks about putting anybody’s name on the trophy.

Here is a look at our hot 20 over the past 10 events…

Pos (LW) Driver – Pts/10 – (W-T5-T10)

1 (1) Brad Keselowski – 378 pts – (1-6-7)
If he sees Edwards at the line on Sunday, it better be in the mirror.

2 (2) Carl Edwards – 360 pts – (0-6-8)
Martinsville is not an Edwards friendly facility, but it is no sure thing for the rest either.

3 (5) Matt Kenseth – 349 pts – (1-3-7)
Was sixth in the spring, and that might be good enough for this weekend

4 (8) Tony Stewart – 347 pts – (2-3-7)
Once hot, his last three Martinsville appearances were not.

5 (4) Kevin Harvick – 328 pts – (1-2-6)
Just one more bad day away from throwing in the towel.

6 (6) Jimmie Johnson – 325 pts – (1-5-6)
Yes the Fat Lady is a singer…why do you ask?

7 (3) Kyle Busch – 323 pts – (1-2-4)
Of his 23 career victories, only one was in a Chase race…in 2005.

8 (7) Jeff Gordon – 318 pts – (1-4-5)
The good news is that he might still be able to match Jimmie next year.

9 (13) Kasey Kahne – 311 pts – (0-3-5)
Oh, so this is why Hendrick hired him.

10 (11) Kurt Busch – 298 pts – (1-3-4)
Things weren’t going all that great before Talladega.

11 (16) Jeff Burton – 288 pts – (0-1-1)
Needed to turn left, really hard left, to end his slump.

12 (18) Brian Vickers – 286 pts – (0-2-2)
No ride yet for next year, but this has to help.

13 (9) Ryan Newman – 282 pts – 0-1-5)
Made the Chase, what more do you want?

14 (19) Clint Bowyer – 281 pts – (1-1-5)
Soon to be the best damn driver at MWR.

15 (10) A.J. Allmendinger – 279 pts – (0-0-2)
Big drop after getting a big kick to the curb last Sunday.

16 (20) Greg Biffle – 277 pts – (0-1-2)
About the best thing about this season is that it is almost over.

17 (17) David Ragan – 274 pts – (0-1-2)
How good is Ragan? About as good as Junior lately…and that might not be a compliment.

18 (14) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 274 pts – (0-1-1)
Okay, just what in hell happened at Talladega?

19 (12) Marcos Ambrose – 271 pts – (0-1-4)
Things were starting to look mighty sweet before turning all sour.

20 (23) Denny Hamlin – 271 pts – (0-0-5)
Each his past five races has been an improvement, from 31st in Chicago to 8th last Sunday.

Average 350 points, you are driving like a champion. Average 300 points, and you look like a contender. Too bad three of our Chasers are presently driving like mere pretenders, but enough about Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Denny Hamlin. Over the past ten events, we have five who have that championship look about them, and it should come as no surprise that they represent five of the top six in the official standings as we head on to Talladega for Sunday.

[media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Tony Stewart is the one missing. While the results from Watkins Glen and Bristol, where he finished outside the Top 25, did not help, neither did that finish at Dover. What the two-time champion needs is a string of Top Fives, starting this weekend. Then again, you might say that for everybody interested in claiming the crown and still with a chance to grab it.

That is especially true for our leader. Brad Keselowski might have more than a 20 point bulge over the course of recent events, but he now has to match what he did in Watkins Glen (2nd), Michigan (3rd), Bristol (1st), Atlanta (6th), and Richmond (12th) to maintain that pace. It is a tall order, but one worthy of a champion.

Here are our hot 20 over the past 10 events…

Pos-Driver-Pts/10 races-(W-T5-T10)

1. Brad Keselowski – 380 pts – (1-6-7)
Can win at Talladega, and make cars fly.

2. Carl Edwards – 358 pts – (0-6-8)
Thanks to Brad, he has yet to win there, but has managed to be anywhere from 5th to 42nd.

3. Kyle Busch – 354 pts – (1-3-5)
If he is to be the next Jimmie Johnson he is going to have to start working on that beard.

4. Kevin Harvick – 353 pts – (1-2-7)
Can be very hot in Alabama…or very cold. Will current three race hot streak there continue?

5. Matt Kenseth – 352 pts – (1-3-7)
Six Top Tens at Talladega, 9 times outside Top Twenty in 23 attempts.

6. Jimmie Johnson – 341 pts – (1-5-7)
Will be in good shape if he goes great on Sunday, and a few certain others do not.

7. Jeff Gordon – 332 pts – (1-4-5)
Will the new Jeff Gordon Expressway be a 190 mph loop?

8. Tony Stewart – 325 pts – (2-3-6)
Already has two Chase wins, but might need a couple more.

9. Ryan Newman – 303 pts – (0-1-5)
Best year was 2003, but 8 win, 17 Top Five season still only meant 6th in the standings.

10. A.J. Allmendinger – 303 pts – (0-0-4)
The Petty brand has some meaning again.

11. Kurt Busch – 295 pts – (1-3-4)
Addington is subtracting himself.

12. Marcos Ambrose – 292 pts – (1-2-5)
Looking to finally be in the right spot at the right time on the weekend.

13. Kasey Kahne – 290 pts – (0-3-4)
Could have been racing at Las Vegas last week, but Mr. Childress said no.

14. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 283 pts – (0-1-1)
Is there hope? Sure, but what are the odds an early 11 car wreck will involve 11 specific drivers?

15. Juan Pablo Montoya – 280 pts – (0-0-2)
In 1999 won seven, but that was to capture the CART crown

16. Jeff Burton – 280 pts – (0-0-1)
18 full-time seasons in, and still among those who matter.

17. David Ragan – 273 pts – (0-1-2)
With time running out, getting hot here would sure help to remain in Cup seat for 2012.

18. Brian Vickers – 272 pts – (0-1-1)
Won Nationwide (Busch) title back in 2003. Must he go back?

19. Clint Bowyer – 268 pts – (0-0-4)
From RCR to MWR…60 miles into the unknown.

20. Greg Biffle – 259 pts – (0-1-2)
If not for cut tires, messed up air hose connections, and lug nuts, he might be having a hell of a season.

23. Denny Hamlin – 243 pts – (0-0-4)
The good news? Well, the pressure is sure off.

Imagine a Chase with only ten drivers, and one of them not being Brad Keselowski. Now imagine how stupid NASCAR would have looked, instead of being the geniuses they are. Okay, settle down there, big fella. Yet, when you are three races into the Chase and the best guy out there just happens to be the guy who slipped into the hunt due to wins rather for being 11th in points, you have to like how this new format has turned out.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”235″][/media-credit]Check out his recent stats. Over the past ten, he has won twice and has eight Top Tens. Dover’s 20th place result only proved he was mortal. The fact he won at Kansas in the spring might make one ponder putting the boy back on top of Mount Olympus if he can repeat that feat this weekend.

On the other side of the coin, can anyone remember why Denny Hamlin got a Chase invite? A win and just enough points was enough, but thus far he has been tanking more than George Patton. 18th has been his best Chase result, and over the course of the past ten events there are more than 25 others who have been hotter, not including my freezer.

As they motor to Kansas, here is a look at our hottest twenty drivers (and Hamlin) over the past ten events…

Pos – Driver – Points/10 events – (W-T5-T10)

1. Brad Keselowski – 393 pts – (2-6-8)
I guess it was a good thing he made the Chase, eh?

2. Jeff Gordon – 379 pts – (1-5-7)
Number 5 is alive!

3. Kyle Busch – 353 pts – (1-3-6)
104 NASCAR wins in three series, but something is missing from the trophy case.

4. Jimmie Johnson – 348 pts – (0-5-7)
Has had to build a new trophy case.

5. Carl Edwards – 345 pts – (0-4-7)
There is no place like home, there is no place like home…

6. Kevin Harvick – 340 pts – (1-2-5)
Driving is good, owning not so much

7. Matt Kenseth – 332 pts – (0-2-6)
I wonder if Katie reminds him to drive safely?

8. Tony Stewart – 331 pts – (2-3-6)
Make Chase (check), win a couple (check), hire Zippi (still working on it).

9. Ryan Newman – 314 pts – (0-2-5)
30 points per race not good enough to win, but it gets you a free Las Vegas dinner.

10. Kurt Busch – 297 pts – (1-4-5)
Has already been to ‘Vegas, thanks.

11. A.J. Allmendinger – 294 pts – (0-0-2)
Might prove to be the best buy of 2012.

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 292 pts – (0-1-2)
No football, no baseball player is more marketable. Now just imagine if he could win.

13. Martin Truex Jr – 276 pts – (0-2-2)
Heading to Africa after the season, where something is going to get shot.

14. Mark Martin – 275 pts – (0-1-4)
When he first went hunting, he had to use a spear and hunted mastodons.

15. Clint Bowyer – 269 pts – (0-0-3)
I think Mikey likes him.

16. Regan Smith – 268 pts – (0-1-2)
The logo says UPS, the result says snail mail.

17. Jeff Burton – 267 pts – (0-0-1)
2012 could be his year if he eats his Wheaties.

18. Jamie McMurray – 266 pts – (0-2-2)
Breakfast cereal might help start your day, but a Big Mac makes your tummy happy.

19. Greg Biffle – 266 pts – (0-1-3)
Happiness is being in the Chase. The Biff can’t be happy.

20. Brian Vickers – 257 pts – (0-1-1)
With Walmart hosting Kansas meet and greet, maybe Vickers should bring along his resume.

27. Denny Hamlin – 228 pts – (0-0-3)
Consistency might be good, but consistently good is even better.

A funny thing happened en route to Homestead, at least is might be somewhat amusing if you are not Denny Hamlin. The car didn’t have a ton of speed starting out in Chicago, but Hamlin seemed sure it would run well on Sunday. Too bad the race was pushed back to Monday. It started to vibrate, they got new tires, but when he made contact with Greg Biffle to cut one down that pretty much sealed the deal. At least he has been hotter as of late than, say, Biffle and Jeff Burton, but I doubt that would make Hamlin feel any better.

Brad Keselowski is just a hair behind Jeff Gordon over the past ten events, greatly assisted by a couple of wins. Gordon, Ryan Newman, and now Tony Stewart each have victories of their own, and while Jimmie Johnson has not, six Top Fives and a couple Top Tens should keep him from complaining too much.

Meanwhile, Clint Bowyer is out there looking for a new job as it appears he will be leaving RCR. Too bad he has also left our Top Twenty, as he has slid two points behind David Ragan and Kasey Kahne. If it is any consolation, he is running better than both Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray, but it probably is not.

With nine to go on the season, here is a look at our hot twenty drivers over the past ten races.

1. Jeff Gordon – 373 pts
No gas, yet still caught for speeding?

2. Brad Keselowski – 372 pts
Rusty may have won 37 races in 15 years driving this car, but that still doesn’t forgive ESPN.

3. Ryan Newman – 361 pts
Looking for a broom so he can sweep Loudon this weekend.

4. Jimmie Johnson – 358 pts
If he wins it again, maybe he could sell all that “5-Time” merchandise to Jeff.

5. Tony Stewart – 341 pts
Doesn’t deserve a place in the Chase my ass.

6. Carl Edwards – 338 pts
It might be Carl’s year, but has anyone told these other guys yet?

7. Kyle Busch – 337 pts
I hear he is the most talked about driver in NASCAR, but does that include profane references?

8. Kevin Harvick – 323 pts
UPS let Jarrett drive the big brown truck, but Bud won’t let Happy anywhere near the beer wagon.

9. Matt Kenseth – 316 pts
He didn’t push me, he was slow drafting.

10. Kurt Busch – 298 pts
Claims to be in Jimmie’s head, but Johnson is definitely a pain in Kurt’s..well, you know.

11. Martin Truex Jr – 295 pts
Wondering when he finally gets to do a NAPA commercial with Junior.

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 288 pts
Won 14 races with Michael Waltrip as a team-mate, two since. I’m just saying…

13. A.J. Allmendinger – 281 pts
Won five Champ car races in 2006, but then…

14. Mark Martin – 274 pts
Go Granddaddy.com. Like Mark, the line is an oldie but a goodie.

15. Marcos Ambrose – 263 pts
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich.

16. Denny Hamlin – 262 pts
Went from underdog to road kill in just one race.

17. Joey Logano – 260 pts
Instead of Home Depot, shouldn’t he be sponsored by Toys-R-Us?

18. Greg Biffle – 258 pts
Does his air filter come from 3-M by any chance?

19. Jeff Burton – 255 pts
Things could be worse, but that would mean he was back in 1995.

20. David Ragan – 253 pts
Instead of the big brown truck, Ragan is stuck driving a big brown something else.

21. Kasey Kahne – 253 pts
It’s just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson has five straight titles, and he is again poised to add yet another finger bauble, but one man standing in his way operates out of the company’s other shop. It has been a decade since the recently turned 40-year old Jeff Gordon claimed his fourth crown, but there is nothing old about his act as of late.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]In his last ten events, Gordon was 17th at the Glen, 11th in Loudon, with the rest all Top Tens, including his 85th career victory last Tuesday on the asphalt of Atlanta. He has averaged more than 39 points per race over the span, claiming more than 80% of those available to him. Under the current system, where last place gives you just 2% and even tenth is under 70%, his results lately have been stellar. Gordon appears up for the challenge.

However, watch for the young man from Michigan. 27-year old Brad Keselowski has been outstanding, especially in his last six starts. Two wins, a second, a third, a sixth at Atlanta, and 9th at the Brickyard. He moves into the Chase with three wins and a chance to even earn a Top Ten berth in the standings with another great effort at Richmond.

Quite frankly, it appears that ten of the 12 currently holding down a place in the Chase are set and ready for the fun to begin. For Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin, they need to throw another log or two on the fire, as the embers appear to be cooling off.

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

POS (LW) DRIVER – PTS/10 – (W-T5-T10)

1 (1) JEFF GORDON – 392 pts (1-4-8)
Petty, Pearson, & Gordon. Junior partner joins the firm.

2 (6) JIMMIE JOHNSON – 370 pts (0-6-8)
Visits the White House so much, it is now called the Johnson Bedroom.

3 (5) BRAD KESELOWSKI – 364 pts (2-4-8)
A bit of the spotlight has found this darkhorse.

4 (2) KYLE BUSCH – 349 pts (2-5-6)
Tuesday will be a crash fest? Well, maybe he meant next Tuesday.

5 (3) MATT KENSETH – 343 pts (0-2-6)
Has been called silent but deadly. That stinks.

6 (4) RYAN NEWMAN – 330 pts (1-4-5)
If he ever ran neck and neck, he probably would lose.

7 (9) KEVIN HARVICK – 307 pts (0-0-4)
Don’t send him a last minute invite. Just ask a certain Mr. B. Obama.

8 (8) CARL EDWARDS – 303 pts (0-3-5)
Wanted to go, but had a date with a duck.

9 (7) JOEY LOGANO – 303 pts (0-3-4)
A hundred races and the best is yet to come.

10 (13) MARTIN TRUEX JR – 300 pts (0-2-4)
Nothing that a win and a raid on Hamlin’s hauler wouldn’t cure.

11 (12) KURT BUSCH – 298 pts (1–3-5)
After three straight duds, Atlanta was welcome.

12 (10) TONY STEWART – 297 pts (0-1-4)
His schedule opens up after November 20, if the President wants to reschedule.

13 (11) A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 296 pts (0-0-2)
Victory, and by at least 11 points over Hamlin, would do the trick.

14 (15) MARCOS AMBROSE – 281 pts (1-2-4)
Richmond To-Do list includes winning and moving into the Top 20.

15 (14) KASEY KAHNE – 280 pts (0-1-3)
Red Bull? More like bulls***

16 (23) JEFF BURTON – 258 pts (0-0-1)
Jeff, where the hell have you been?

17 (20) GREG BIFFLE – 256 pts (0-0-2)
If only 3-M retreat had been at Camp David.

18 (16) PAUL MENARD – 255 pts (1-1-3)
Win at Richmond, he’s in the Chase. Don’t, and he won’t.

19 (18) DENNY HAMLIN – 254 pts (0-1-3)
A good day back in June looms big for the Pied Piper.

20 (21) JAMIE MCMURRAY – 253 pts (0-2-2)
In the Top 15 thrice in past ten just not good enough.

21 (24) DALE EARNHARDT JR – 248 pts (0-0-1)
In recent weeks he is about as much a threat to claim the title as I am.

22 (19) DAVID RAGAN – 242 pts (1-1-2)
Soon Big Brown will be just a skid mark.

23 (17) CLINT BOWYER – 242 pts (0-1-2)
Dear Juan: You are a jackass. Your pal, Clint.

With six races to go to decide who is Chasing and who is just racing, six of the top eight have been among the hottest drivers over the past ten. If I were a betting man, I would lock in Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and the Busch boys. Heck, the way Denny Hamlin has been performing, take a gamble and lock him in as well.

Carl Edwards might not be hot, but he is still running pretty warm as of late and I like Ryan Newman’s chances. So, that is nine of the dozen needed for the Chase, with three fighting for wins and points to keep their hopes for a championship alive.

[media-credit name=”Adam Lovelace” align=”alignright” width=”230″][/media-credit]The wildcard spots based on wins really makes this interesting. At least one spot will go for wins alone, while Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr could hang on to the final two positions as long as they can put a string of Top 15’s together. If they can’t, and slip out of the Top Ten, this could well become a disappointing season for both of them earlier than expected. Pocono should provide us with a piece of that puzzle.

Here is a look at the hot 20 drivers over the past 10 races…

Pos – Driver – Points/10 races – (W-T5-T10)

1. Matt Kenseth – 371 pts – (1-4-7)
The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment…just kidding.

2. Jeff Gordon – 358 pts – (1-4-6)
Prettiest eyebrows in NASCAR, and that includes Danica.

3. Kurt Busch – 358 pts – (1-3-5)
Beating and banging his own self.

4. Kevin Harvick – 342 pts – (1-1-5)
It is not the same without being able to put the fear of the Lord into Kyle

5. Kyle Busch – 327 pts – (1-5-6)
Needs a mustache, a black hat, and some self defence lessons.

6. Jimmie Johnson – 316 pts – (0-3-6)
Is he trying or just waiting for the real racing to begin?

7. Denny Hamlin – 311 pts – (1-3-5)
With time, understanding, and lots of booze I might come to love him.

8. Joey Logano – 308 pts – (0-3-4)
Without a win, too little, too late.

9. Carl Edwards – 304 pts – (0-4-5)
To sign a new deal all he wants is for Jack to be able to call him “partner.”

10. Ryan Newman – 301 pts – (1-2-4)
Sit in the Top 10; check. A win; check. 30 point cushion; check.

11. Tony Stewart – 296 pts – (0-1-4)
Still good to go, provided he avoids disaster.

12. David Ragan – 292 pts – (1-2-3)
A winner, but trails Menard by seven points in the standings.

13. Brad Keselowski – 291 pts – (1-1-3)
That win was nice, but now he needs another.

14. Paul Menard – 282 pts – (1-2-3)
Menard’s, now more than just a hardware store.

15. Clint Bowyer – 277 pts – (0-1-3)
Last time a guy worked with a guy named Shane, they kicked the crap out of Jack Palance.

16. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 275 pts – (0-1-3)
Time for talk is over, time for action is now.

17. Greg Biffle – 274 pts – (0-0-2)
Now he’s a full race out of the Chase.

18. Kasey Kahne – 273 pts – (0-1-2)
For Kasey, winning isn’t everything, it has become the only thing.

19. Marcos Ambrose – 265 pts – (0-2-4)
Like the Cubs, he looks ahead to next year.

20. Martin Truex Jr – 260 pts – (0-0-4)
New crew chief, but do you see any difference?

Officially in the Top Twenty…

21. Mark Martin – 255 pts – (0-1-3)
What Mark needs to do is win like hell…and soon.

22. A.J. Allmendinger – 250 pts – (0-1-1)
Probably a better driver than Petty. Then again, the King is now 74.

24. Juan Pablo Montoya – 244 pts – (0-0-2)
Not this season, Senor.

Kyle Busch is number one, be it in points, on the podium, or in getting his butt kicked by employees of RCR. His third win of the season at Kentucky last weekend means all he has to do now to make the Chase is not fall out of the Top 20. He might be in like Flynn, but Brad Keselowski is not. He might have his win, but for it to do him any good he needs to move up one spot in the standings. Not too tall an order with only three points to make up when they slide into Loudon, New Hampshire for Sunday’s fun..

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”253″][/media-credit]Others have a little more work to do, which could include picking up that all important victory. With time running out on their Chase chances, that might be the most realistic route to explore. Kasey Kahne and Joey Logano are among the 12 best since we left Talladega but are so far out of the Top Ten that wins might become more important than points before too long.

David Ragan has been hot as of late, is climbing this ladder, and has both a win and a top 20 position to his credit. Tony Stewart is hanging in the top dozen, but a win by any of the other winless folks in the top twenty would put his Chase chances in jeopardy. Same might be said of Ryan Newman, who sits ninth for the season but seems to be showing signs of heating up at the right time.

One who is not would be Dale Earnhardt Jr. Fifteen other drivers have done better than he has over the past ten. This Sunday might be a good time to reverse the trend. The nice thing about the two wildcard spots into the Chase is that a win can change everything. Eleven drivers currently on the outside looking in could change their season completely with a win on Sunday.

Here are out hot 20 drivers over the past ten events…

POS (LW) – Driver – Pts/10 races – (W-T5-T10)
*Currently has a place in the Chase

1 (3) – Kyle Busch* – 367 pts – (2-6-6)
1st over the season, 1st over the past ten, 1st in Kentucky, last on Childress Christmas card list.

2 (8) – Matt Kenseth* – 350 pts – (1-3-6)
His eight race plan to earn an average of 38 points per race has worked out brilliantly.

3 (1) – Kevin Harvick* – 346 pts – (1-2-5)
Has yet to finish outside Top Twenty since they concluded the Daytona 500.

4 (2) – Kurt Busch* – 341 pts – (1-3-5)
When someone yells “Busch you jerk” he just pokes Kyle to turn around.

5 (6) – Denny Hamlin* – 334 pts – (1-3-5)
Driving a Toyota while listening to a Ford seems to be working out.

6 (5) – Carl Edwards* – 325 pts – (0-6-7)
Carl may do flips after wins, but isn’t his crew chief former stuntman Super Bob Osborne?

7 (4) – Jeff Gordon* – 319 pts – (1-3-5)
I thought he was a dwarf until I discovered he was as tall as me…just 90 pounds lighter.

8 (7) – Jimmie Johnson* – 315 pts – (0-2-6)
This is just Jimmie being Jimmie, at least until the Chase begins.

9 (15) – David Ragan* – 303 pts – (1-3-4)
Daytona and Kentucky brought him into contention, but he’s not out of the woods just yet.

10 (16) – Brad Keselowski – 295 pts – (1-2-4)
The last nine has featured a few birdies, the opening nine nothing but bogies.

11 (17) – Kasey Kahne – 290 pts – (0-3-3)
Points would be nice, but at this point wins would be even better.

12 (11) – Joey Logano – 290 pts – (0-2-3)
Like the girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead, ranges from very, very good to horrid.

13 (13) – Tony Stewart* – 287 pts – (0-0-4)
Apparently that second place finish in Las Vegas stayed in Vegas.

14 (19) – Ryan Newman* – 285 pts – (0-2-4)
5 Top Fives is impressive, which is why he has not yet faded into the night.

15 (12) – Greg Biffle – 275 pts – (0-0-2)
What is it with that single Top Ten over the last eight?

16 (10) – Dale Earnhardt Jr* – 272 pts – (0-1-3)
Stopped for two Saturday night, but needed at least three.

17 (21) – Marcos Ambrose – 271 pts – (0-2-3)
Hometown zoo has a breeding program for Tasmanian Devils. I know!!

18 (9) – Clint Bowyer – 269 pts – (0-1-4)
Back-to-back crashes not exactly helping the cause. Another win at Loudon would.

19 (14) – A.J. Allmendinger – 257 pts – (0-1-3)
If the 29-year old makes the Chase, the #43 will have had to return to Victory Lane.

20 (20) – Martin Truex Jr – 257 pts – (0-0-4)
If Bullwinkle can pull a rabbit out of his hat, maybe Truex can still pull this season out of his…

The last time the engines roared at Daytona, Kevin Harvick had one that gave up the ghost before most of the others even managed to heat up. That 42nd place finish has been his worst of the season, and in 17 races he has been outside the Top 15 just four times. This is why Happy is just that with nine races to pull before they get down to the Chase to determine a new champion.

[media-credit name=”Mike Finnegan” align=”alignright” width=”240″][/media-credit]It seems that if a driver can average 30 points per race, good things are happening. Nine have done that over the past ten events, with another three in there close. Joey Logano is among them and, after missing a Top Twenty spot the opening five events of the season, he has clawed his way back to be in contention for a wildcard should he win between now and Richmond. On the other side of the fence, neither Ryan Newman nor Juan Pablo Montoya have done much lately to indicate they will remain in the hunt.

A win, or something close to it, in Kentucky could go a long way in changing that perception.

Here at the hottest 20 over the past ten events…

Pos (Official) Driver – Pts/10 races – (W-T5-T10)

1 (1) Kevin Harvick – 358 pts – (1-3-6)
Summer at Daytona sure beat the winter there.

2 (4) Kurt Busch – 330 pts – (1-3-4)
A tough year off-track, a good one on it.

3 (3) Kyle Busch – 329 pts – (1-5-5)
Finished 5th and no one tried to beat him up. It was a good week.

4 (8) Jeff Gordon – 327 pts – (1-4-5)
Four Top Tens in his last five. That is how you do it.

5 (2) Carl Edwards – 325 pts – (0-5-7)
Lately, it has been either a Top Five, or 37th place.

6 (11) Denny Hamlin – 321 pts – (1-3-5)
The way he is running, Denny won’t need no wildcard.

7 (5) Matt Kenseth – 321 pts – (1-3-5)
Too early to count his chickens, but he has a lot of eggs.

8 (6) Jimmie Johnson – 321 pts – (1-2-6)
Have you noticed how popular he got the more he won titles?

9 (9) Clint Bowyer – 304 pts – (0-2-5)
Funny how some torn sheet metal can ruin one’s day.

10 (7) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 299 pts – (0-2-4)
If it requires lubricant, it got to be some kind of weird racing.

11 (20) Joey Logano – 295 pts – (0-2-4)
Running much better as of late, but a win wouldn’t hurt.

12 (13) Greg Biffle – 290 pts – (0-0-3)
Four straight outside Top Ten does not help the bottom line.

13 (12) Tony Stewart – 281 pts – (0-0-4)
Less rear rubber than what he had at Sonoma was the way to go at Daytona.

14 (15) A.J. Allmendinger – 274 pts – (0-1-3)
Has been steady, but what he needs is spectacular.

15 ( 17) David Ragan – 272 pts – (1-3-3)
15th here, 17th officially, with his hands currently on a wildcard.

16 (22) Brad Keselowski – 269 pts – (1-2-3)
Got a win, but now needs some points.

17 (19) Kasey Kahne – 266 pts – (0-3-3)
2012 Hendrick contract has given Kasey his wings to fly.

18 (18) Mark Martin – 266 pts – (0-1-3)
Hoping to replace Kasey after he replaces him?

19 (10) Ryan Newman – 265 pts – (0-1-3)
Newman has got to get himself a new plan

20 (23) Martin Truex Jr – 262 pts – (0-0-4)
In last eight, four Top Tens, four times 20th or worse.

23 (16) Paul Menard – 257 pts – (0-1-2)
No doubt on a mission to find Montoya down in the deep.

27 (14) Juan Pablo Montoya – 236 pts – (0-0-2)
This isn’t the time to go ice cold, muchacho.

With ten races to go before the Chase invites get handed out, there are some who just need to keep on doing what they are doing. It is no mistake that Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick currently lead the parade. Then there are the boys who seem to be heating up at just the right time, with Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin are among them. Joey Logano and Marcos Ambrose might still be outside the Top 20, but those two boys also are making noise as of late, providing an argument that maybe we should not count them out just yet.

[media-credit name=”Ed Coombs” align=”alignright” width=”236″][/media-credit]While we expect it to be hot at Daytona this weekend, some of our favorites are starting to chill, and not in a good way. Kyle Busch seems to have put the disappointments of Talladega and Charlotte behind him, but Dale Earnhardt Jr could have done without getting caught up in someone else’s mess last Sunday to finish 41st. Coming after a 21st place conclusion to Michigan, Junior needs some good fortune to come his way. Daytona is one place he might expect that.

Forget Earnhardt’s troubles, as it is Ryan Newman who is a top ten guy heading down the rabbit hole. He might have three Top Tens in his past ten, but five times he has been outside the Top 20. Mark Martin is 14th in the official standings, but lately he has averaging 17th. You need consistency or wins to make the Chase, and the 52 year old has not been accused of either this campaign.

Hey, it could be worse…unless your name is Juan Pablo Montoya. In more than half of the last ten events, the Columbian has finished in the back half of the pack. You can say he was consistent by finishing 22nd in California, but I’m sure that is not exactly the kind of result they were looking for.

The boys begin the ten race countdown to the Chase this Saturday night in Daytona.

Over the past 10 events…

Pos – (Official Pos) – Driver – Pts-(W-T5-T10)

1. (1) Carl Edwards – 359 pts – (0-6-8)
We might have an idea as to why he leads the standings.

2. (2) Kevin Harvick – 344 pts – (1-3-5)
Forget a dress like Prince William’s wife wears. I’m getting my wife a firesuit!

3. (8) Clint Bowyer – 338 pts – (0-3-6)
Heating up at about the right time.

4. (4) Kurt Busch – 334 pts – (1-3-5)
Started turning right and left the rest behind at Sonoma.

5. (3) Jimmie Johnson – 333 pts – (1-2-7)
Six straight; why not?

6. (6) Matt Kenseth – 326 pts – (2-3-5)
If you can forget about Daytona, Talladega, Richmond, and Darlington, he’s been great

7. (11) Denny Hamlin – 318 pts – (1-3-5)
I’m starting to see that whining equates into winning

8. (5) Kyle Busch – 317 pts – (1-4-4)
See above.

9. (9) Jeff Gordon – 310 pts – (1-4-4)
Half dozen Top Fives keeps him in the hunt.

10. (7) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 309 pts – (0-2-5)
Sometimes Lady Luck is with you, sometimes she aint no lady at all.

11. (13) Greg Biffle – 304 pts – (0-1-4)
Still in the running with just a single Top Five to his credit this season.

12. (12) Tony Stewart – 280 pts – (0-0-4)
It all started when Vickers got even.

13. (23) Joey Logano – 274 pts – (0-1-3)
Needs his next ten to be even better than his last ten.

14. (21) Marcos Ambrose – 272 pts – (0-2-4)
See above.

15. (10) Ryan Newman – 272 pts – (0-1-3)
Officially 10th, unofficially sinking like a stone.

16. (22) Brad Keselowski – 266 pts – (1-2-3)
3rd at Darlington, 1st at Kansas, 10th at Sonoma…and not much else.

17. (15) A.J. Allmendinger – 265 pts – (0-1-2)
Not quite ready for prime-time just yet, but it is coming.

18. (20) David Ragan – 263 pts – (0-2-3)
They might love logistics, but can’t be fond of where they sit here.

19. (14) Mark Martin – 262 pts – (0-1-3)
With time running out, this would be the time to go, daddy!

20. (18) Martin Truex Jr – 261 pts – (0-0-4)
He can be beaten, and on Sunday was beaten upon often.

21. (17) Paul Menard – 259 pts – (0-2-2)
Having his best season ever, but that’s not saying much.

22. (19) Kasey Kahne – 248 pts – (0-0-2)
11 wins with the AllState girls, none without. I’m just sayin’…

26. (16) Juan Pablo Montoya – 231 pts – (0-0-1)
Thornton can shove this ranking system between his nalgas.