The rich get richer. That will be the story this weekend, as only those with a pedigree seem to have a chance at success in this weekend’s New Hampshire 301.
If Clint Bowyer wants a third win at Loudon, he might need to find a different car. In his wait in the wilderness before he takes over Tony Stewart’s ride next year, he has been driving autos that look pretty…they just do not perform that way. Kasey Kahne has a win there, too. He could do it. All he needs to do is perform better than he has been to date.
As for the other 11 active drivers coming in with a win at Loudon since 2002, every single one of them currently sits in a Chase place. Something tells me that we might not be terribly shocked as to the outcome of events come Sunday. In just the past two seasons, the winners have been Brad Keselowski, already with back-to-back wins this month, along with Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Matt Kenseth. I really would not be expecting someone not listed below to be shaking up the suds this weekend.
Yet, the question remains, which one from our Hot 20 will be the man of the hour?
1. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 4 WINS (595 Pts)
If I had to pick just one…
2. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS (521 Pts)
Winning driver and truck owner is an outstanding mentor to the next generation of stars.
3. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS (566 Pts)
Thought he had a chance for a win at Kentucky, but Keselowski made that no chance at all.
4. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS (484 Pts)
Might not have the best 36-race record, but he is the undisputed king of the playoff era.
5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN (599 Pts)
If he was King of NASCAR, he would keep all the races but tighten the schedule up by 6 weeks.
6. KURT BUSCH – 1 WIN (583 Pts)
No more tracks left to claim a Top Five. Kentucky was the last one to be checked off the list.
7. JOEY LOGANO – 1 WIN (533 Pts)
Hosting the Driving Hope Home Golf Tournament today (Thursday) in Plantsville, Connecticut.
8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 1 WIN (514 Pts)
Pass to the right in the pits…avoid cars pulling in…pass to the right in the pits…
9. MATT KENSETH – 1 WIN (477 Pts)
Last July it was Kyle, last September it was Matt at Kentucky. Take that, Keselowski.
10. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN (472 Pts)
50-50 Sunday will result in a Top Ten…and for Loudon those are decent odds.
11. TONY STEWART – 1 WIN (248 Pts)
Donating his Kentucky tires to the NHL for use as massive hockey pucks.
12. CHASE ELLIOTT – 492 PTS
Once upon a time we had kids like Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon…and wasn’t there an Elliott?
13. RYAN NEWMAN – 463 PTS
Finally a Top Three finish…and yet he still sits in a Chase place.
14. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 461 PTS
It appears that just a little bit of success might be enough.
15. AUSTIN DILLON – 460 PTS
Average 25 points per race and you got yourself a spot to the party.
16. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 439 PTS
Less than that and things start to get a bit heated…as Jamie has discovered.
17. TREVOR BAYNE – 429 PTS
Average 23.8 points per race and you are looking up McMurray’s tailpipe. That can’t be pretty.
18. KASEY KAHNE – 423 PTS
Danica says she could take Kahne in a fight. Imagine. A bout between our two prettiest drivers.
19. RYAN BLANEY – 415 PTS
Ryan and Chase and 18-year old William Byron in the trucks. It is the dawn of a new era.
20. KYLE LARSON – 412 PTS
At 23, young Mr. Larson is not exactly ready to join any old boys club just yet, either.
