I never knew how much I liked beer soaked sausage until I saw those commercials. In fact, I haven’t really tried one yet from the good folks at Johnsonville, but the guy who has been real brat at Las Vegas in recent years is back for more. Sure, after a three year run Jimmie Johnson did allow Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch to each win one, but Five Time was back in 2010 to take it all back.
Over the past ten events, he is still averaging nearly 38 points earned per race, or a steady run of 6th place finishes. To maintain his pace, he’ll need to match or better his second place result last October in Kansas. Kevin Harvick was third that day, with a point bonus, so the most either can gain is six points. Of course, both could lose as much as 41.
Greg Biffle is the one with the most to lose, having won on the plains last fall. That would be certainly a welcome result considering the 35th at Daytona and last Sunday’s 20th at Phoenix.
Here is a look at our hot 20 over the past 10 races.
Pos – Driver – Points – Kansas Pts
1 (1) Jimmie Johnson – 379 pts (42)
With four wins in the last six at Vegas, I like his odds.
2 (3) Kevin Harvick – 363 pts (42)
Still waiting on Jimmie to crap out.
3 (2) Denny Hamlin – 359 pts (32)
FedEx guy must be getting FedUp waiting his turn to emerge on top.
4 (4) Mark Martin – 348 pts (30)
Another wise crack about his age? Nah, they’re starting to get old.
5 (5) Carl Edwards – 323 pts (39)
As Labonte felt about Dale, Carl feels about Kyle.
6 (8) Tony Stewart – 311 pts (42)
Where there’s Smoke, there’s a bruised Australian.
7 (7) Matt Kenseth – 310 pts (38)
Loved him with Crosby, Kenseth, Nash, and Young.
8 (6) Joey Logano – 295 pts (27)
At least he could claim the best finish among 20 year olds at Phoenix.
9 (11) A.J. Allmendinger – 287 pts (34)
Takes more time to sign an autograph than anybody on the circuit.
10 (12) Ryan Newman – 285 pts (35)
5 foot -11, or 6-3 with a neck.
11 (10) Paul Menard – 280 pts (37)
Does his sponsor offer him discounts?
12 (13) Greg Biffle – 273 pts (47)
Moving in the right direction, but 35th to 20th??
13 (16) Kyle Busch – 273 pts (23)
Ah, dang, sorry about your little car, Carl.
14 (18) Jeff Gordon – 272 pts (40)
Forget 0-for-66. Now he is 1-for-1.
15 (9) Jamie McMurray – 271 pts (34)
What a difference a year makes.
16 (14) Kurt Busch – 270 pts (31)
Once known for his mouth, now best known for his brother’s.
17 (15) Juan Pablo Montoya – 264 pts (15)
Juan Pablo sounds so much cooler than J.P.
18 (17) Clint Bowyer – 262 pts (29)
If you need body work, Clint knows some guys.
19 (21) Martin Truex Jr – 258 pts (24)
Making some noise, but just not enough sweet music.
20 (20) Regan Smith – 245 pts (18)
Needs to step it on up before he is asked to step it on out.
In case you were wondering where NASCAR’s most popular driver is sitting…
23 (23) Dale Earnhardt Jr – 232 pts (22)
It will take a while to exorcise the ghosts of 2010.
Race Talk Radio’s Dennis Michelsen and Lori Munro host a weekly poll of the top 20 drivers, as selected by pundits that include yours truly, Bob Dillner, Monte Dutton, Tom Bowles and a host of others. Check it out at racetalkradio.com
