NASCAR Driver Rankings & Championship Odds- Richmond

Richmond International Raceway -- 09/06/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Tuesday Sep 9 2008 2:35pm

1. (1) 18-Kyle Busch: 2-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Heading into the Chase for the Championship, Kyle Busch is still the driver to beat, even though Jimmie Johnson has the momentum. Busch has a reward of 80 bonus points after his astounding eight wins in the first twenty-six races. On Sunday, Busch was leading when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. spun him out. Busch was unable to recover and posted 15th place finish. He owns a 30 point advantage over Carl Edwards as we head into the championship showdown.

After twenty-six races, Kyle Busch has a series-high eight wins, fifteen top five finishes, and seventeen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 111.8, which is best among all Sprint Cup drivers.

2. (3) 48-Jimmie Johnson: 3-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

For the second season in a row, Jimmie Johnson heads into the Chase for the Championship riding a two race-winning streak. The momentum carried Johnson through the final ten races, as he edged out his teammate Jeff Gordon, who was considered the driver to beat following the first 26 races. Johnson finds himself in a similar situation this year. If you base your bet on experience, talent, and momentum, Johnson is you man. Only a fool would bet against Jimmie Johnson and the 48 team. He is third in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 40 point behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Johnson has four wins, nine top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 103.9, which is third among all Sprint Cup drivers.

3. (2) 99-Carl Edwards: 3-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It was an uncharacteristic afternoon for Carl Edwards, who spent a majority of the race vying for the lucky dog position. Edwards finished thirteenth, and something seems to be missing with their short-flat track program. Despite the mediocre performance, Edwards is still right there with Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson as the nascar odds-on favorites to capture the 2008 Sprint Cup championship. Edwards is second in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 30 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Edwards has six wins, eleven top five finishes, and a series-high nineteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 105.6, which is second among Sprint Cup drivers.

4. (4) 29-Kevin Harvick: 40-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kevin Harvick is emerging as the darkhorse of this year’s Chase for the Championship. Harvick has yet to win in 2008, but he has arguably been one of the most consistent drivers throughout the summer months. He must put together another string of solid performances in the Chase for the Championship if he intends to gain on the top three drivers. Harvick does not have any bonus points. He led 80 laps en route to his seventh place finish at Richmond. Harvick is eleventh in the Sprint Cup standings, 80 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Harvick has six top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 89.6.

5. (5) 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his multitude of devoted fans hope that his fourth place finish at Richmond is a sign of better times as the Chase for the Championship looms. He led 90 laps, and consistently had one of the faster cars. However, as the race progressed, Johnson and Tony Stewart improved, and Earnhardt, Jr. was unable to keep up. Additionally, Earnhardt, Jr. typically runs well at Richmond, regardless of what type year he is having. His true test will be at the intermediate tracks. He is currently fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, 70 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Earnhardt, Jr. has one victory, eight top five finishes, and thirteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 101.3.

6. (7) 20-Tony Stewart: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It was another ‘close but no cigar’ performance for Tony Stewart, who remains winless in 2008. Stewart nearly passed Jimmie Johnson in the final laps, but was unable to close the deal. He was clearly frustrated with the runner-up performance, as he yearns for that breakthrough win of 2008. Like Harvick, he could be one of the sleepers once the Chase for the Championship beings. He is eighth in the Sprint Cup standings, 80 points behind his teammate Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Stewart has nine top five finishes, and thirteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.8.

7. (8) 31-Jeff Burton: 40-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Jeff Burton began the season as a model of consistency. As the season progressed, he began to fade, and begins the Chase for the Championship as a long shot. If Burton can regain some of the consistency he had in the first quarter of the season, he may have a shot, but it will be difficult for him to outperform the big three. At Richmond, Burton spent most of the afternoon in the bottom-half of the top ten, and ended up with a fifth place finish. He begins the Chase for the Championship seventh in the Sprint Cup standings, 70 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Jeff Burton has one win, four top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 88.7.

8. (10) 11-Denny Hamlin: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Denny Hamlin enters the championship tussle with three consecutive third place finishes. He spent much of the afternoon at Richmond among the top five, but clearly had nothing for Johnson and Stewart. Hamlin has some favorable tracks ahead, and like Harvick, he could materialize as a darkhorse pick. Unlike Harvick, Hamlin boasts ten bonus thanks to his win at Martinsville in April. He is sixth in the Sprint Cup standings, 70 points behind his teammate Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Hamlin has one win, nine top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.7.

9. (6) 16-Greg Biffle: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Greg Biffle was enjoying a top ten run when he lost control of his car early in the race. Despite smacking the outside wall, he rallied to finish fourteenth. Biffle clinched a Chase for the Championship berth as soon as the field of 43 took the green flag on Sunday. Biffle is classified with Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. He is not considered a championship favorite, but he could sneak up on the top three. He is ninth in the Sprint Cup standings, 80 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Biffle has eight top five finishes, and eleven top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 91.1.

10. (NR) 24-Jeff Gordon: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Last year, Jeff Gordon was the championship favorite. What a difference a year makes. He is considered by many as a long shot in 2008. Something has been missing from the 24 team this season, especially on the intermediate tracks, which dominates the schedule the final ten races. Gordon posted a solid eighth place finish at Richmond, and should produce decent results in the Chase for the Championship. However, he is not one to bet on based on performance. He is tenth in the Sprint Cup standings, 80 points behind Kyle Busch.

After twenty-six races, Gordon has yet to win; however, he has nine top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.1.

On the rise: Clint Bowyer (66-1 nascar odds), David Reutimann, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, and Casey Mears

On the decline: Matt Kenseth (33-1 nascar odds), Kasey Kahne, David Ragan,, Brian Vickers, and Ryan Newman