[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.
Newman – If I hit the 15 hard enough, I can wreck the entire field and slip through.
Bowyer – I know they think me stupid, but I’ll try and go three wide on turn one.
You got your stories upside down, Buster.