Three of last Sunday’s top drivers failed to make the cut simply due to not being registered to run for Cup points. Regan Smith, Matt Crafton, and Johnny Sauter all were within the Top Twenty, but their focus is on one of the other two national series. Smith will be kept busy, though, as he sits in for the suspended Kurt Busch. Considering the ride was especially created by Gene Haas for Busch to wear his company colors, one has to wonder about the long-term fate of the No. 41.
What is 3100 pounds yet weighs in at under a ton? It appears Logano did not just have the winning ride at Daytona…he had a magic car.
The Hot 20 after Daytona
1. Joey Logano – 1 Win – 47 Points
Daytona 500 winner provided a “ton” of laughs on Letterman.
2. Kevin Harvick – 42 Points
If only it were the Daytona 505, all green, all of the time.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr – 42 Points
A late change to the slow lane proved costly.
4. Denny Hamlin – 41 Points
Got yelled at so much, he thought he was Stenhouse for a moment.
5. Jimmie Johnson – 40 Points
Car was fast at Daytona, his pit crew even faster.
6. Casey Mears – 39 Points
Car just got better and better thanks to a Bootie call…or two.
7. Clint Bowyer – 37 Points
If you cannot be the man to beat the man, be the man who makes the man unbeatable.
8. Martin Truex Jr – 37 Points
Last year he was no Kurt Busch, this year that is a good thing.
9. Greg Biffle – 35 Points
This season you can discover “What’s Buggin’ Biffle.”
10. Kasey Kahne – 35 Points
Won just once in 2014, but Atlanta was the place.
11. David Gi_ _i _ and – 33 Points
I’ll take an “L”, Pat Sajack.
12. Michael Annett – 32 Points
14th on Thursday, 13th on Sunday, a Top Ten in Atlanta?
13. Sam Hornish Jr – 32 Points
Welcome back to Cup, Sam.
14. Austin Dillon – 30 Points
The No. 3 now driven by the man in the black hat.
15. Aric Almirola – 29 Points
Somewhere there has to be someone named Eric Elmirola.
16. David Ragan – 27 Points
Loaned out by Front Row to sit in for Kyle at Gibbs.
17. A.J. Allmendinger – 25 Points
No sponsor, no Sprint Unlimited.
18. Danica Patrick – 23 Points
Kurt sits, Tony wrecks, and Danica gets a written warning. Thank God for Harv.
19. Carl Edwards – 22 Points
Is there a doctor in the house? Why yes, yes there is.
20. Cole Whitt – 22 Points
Good funding stems from good finishes. I hope this helps.
