If consistency indeed trumps victories, then Carl Edwards would be the poster child for that concept. Still winless in 2010, the Duckman has managed to keep pace by keeping close contact with the race winners in recent weeks. In fact, the worst he has done over the course of the past eleven events is a 12th place finish at Bristol just over a month ago. Nine times he has pulled in with a top ten, six times with a top five, including last Sunday’s event at Dover.
On the other hand, Kyle Busch has already won 19 NASCAR events this season. He has claimed 11 of 23 Nationwide races he has been entered in, along with 5 of 11 Camping World truck derbies. His three Cup races almost appear to be a disappointment in comparison.
Neither have won a Cup race at Kansas, though Edwards has done well enough at the track with four top tens in six tries and Kyle has a Nationwide win there. If you are looking for a dominant driver, that would be Jeff Gordon. A top ten is almost a sure thing for the four time champ, though Tony Stewart did win for the second time there a year ago.
Unfortunately for them, Jimmie Johnson also has a good record there, and the reigning king is on the move after last week’s triumph.
Here is a look at our hot 20 over the past 10 events, with the Chasers in red…
1 (1) – Carl Edwards – 1552 pts – 6 Top Fives, 8 Top Tens
You don’t need wins when your worst finish in the past eleven is 12th.
2 (8) – Kyle Busch – 1412 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
19 NASCAR wins this season, but “only” three in Cup
3 (7) – Jamie McMurray – 1399 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
Making his reservations for a Chase place for 2011
4 (4) – Tony Stewart – 1362 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
Gas in the tank? Check. Speed on pit row? Doh!
5 (5) – Jeff Burton – 1359 pts – 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
Hendrick driver without the drama
6 (2) – Juan Pablo Montoya – 1329 pts – 1 Win, 1 Top Five, 5 Top Tens
If not for those eight finishes outside the top 30.
7 (3) – Kevin Harvick – 1312 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
“Cheaters” never win, but they can kick your ass
8 (6) – Jeff Gordon – 1306 pts – 1 Top Five, 4 Top Tens
At Kansas, he is the Dominator
9 (12) – Ryan Newman – 1273 pts – 4 Top Tens
At least he’s having a better year than those other guys out of South Bend
10 (17) – Jimmie Johnson – 1251 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 4 Top Tens
Is that the theme from “Jaws” I’m hearing?
11 (13) – Denny Hamlin – 1250 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
Maybe he should pick on Danny Bonaduce before going after Harvick
12 (9) – Clint Bowyer – 1233 pts – 1 Win, 4 Top Fives, 6 Top Tens
Anyone got a spare 150 points you can lend him?
13 (11) – Matt Kenseth – 1227 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
Best way to fix a fender rub is probably not by removing the fender.
14 (9) – David Reutimann – 1190 pts – 1 Win, 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
Getting hits is great in baseball, not so good in stock car racing
15 (15) – Kurt Busch – 1187 pts – 2 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
O brother, where art thou?
16 (19) – A.J. Allmendinger – 1186 pts – 1 Top Five, 3 Top Tens
Hopes of victory got deflated.
17 (16) – Greg Biffle – 1161 pts – 1 Win, 3 Top Fives, 5 Top Tens
Kansas has been good in the past, and he could use some lovin’ about now.
18 (18) – Martin Truex Jr – 1123 pts – 2 Top Tens
Once again the only Martin, Truex, or Junior to make this list
19 (14) – Kasey Kahne – 1116 pts – 1 Top Five, 2 Top Tens
Oh, krap!
20 (23) – Joey Logano – 1109 pts – 2 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens
Dover was much better than the New Hampshire experience.
