NASCAR Driver Rankings & Odds- Darlington

Darlington Raceway -- 05/10/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Monday May 12 2008 7:28pm

1. (1) 18-Kyle Busch: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (9-2)

It was just another day in the 200-miles per hour office of Kyle Busch on Saturday evening. One of NASCAR’s youngest drivers torched the field at NASCAR’s oldest super speedway by leading 169 laps en route to his third win of the 2008 Sprint Cup season. Busch smacked the wall on several occasions, but his car withstood all hits to the outside wall. With much vexation, the fans booed and jeered the Sprint Cup Series championship leader. Busch even had a beer can tossed in his direction. The only driver that seemed to be able to keep up and pass Busch was Greg Biffle, but his engine failed after 234 laps.

Busch has three wins, seven top five finishes, eight top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 112.0.

2. (2) 99-Carl Edwards: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (6-1)

Carl Edwards overcame a 36th place qualifying effort as he rallied to finish second. He was relatively quiet throughout the race as he methodically worked his way through the field, but he was up front when it counted. In a season that could be considered inconsistent from a finishing standpoint, Edwards’ second place finish was a solid points race. However, Edwards and the 99 team hate losing just as much as the next guy. Edwards is currently seventh in the Sprint Cup standings.

He has three wins, five top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 103.4.

3. (4) 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (4-1)

If you appreciate consistency, then you have to be impressed with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s season thus far, especially considering that he is driving for a new team. Still, Junior Nation is growing intolerant. They want wins, as does Earnhardt, Jr. Keep in mind, in 2005, Tony Stewart did not win his first race until June. He ended the season with five wins and a championship. In order to win races, you have to be up front, and Earnhardt is up front every week. At Darlington, he finished fourth, which is about where he ran most of the evening. He is third in the Sprint Cup championship standings.

He has four top five finishes, eight top ten finishes, and a driver rating 109.5.

4. (3) 31-Jeff Burton: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (15-1)

While all the focus seemed to surround Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Burton put together another solid performance. Though it was nothing spectacular, Burton has completed every lap after eleven races. As the Sprint Cup Series enters all-star weekend, Burton has an opportunity to take more risks. It will be interesting to see how he races in the All-Star event. Burton is second in the championship standings.

He has one victory, three top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 93.3.

5. (5) 11-Denny Hamlin: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (7-1)

After crashing the Nationwide Series car in qualifying on Friday, Denny Hamlin redeemed himself well in the Sprint Cup event. He finished seventh despite the hit from Martin Truex, Jr. A rally such as that displays this team’s resilience. He is currently fourth in the Sprint Cup standings.

Hamlin has one victory, four top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 103.8.

6. (6) 07-Clint Bowyer: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (12-1)

Following his dramatic victory at Richmond last weekend, Clint Bowyer never seemed to find the balance he needed at Darlington. After qualifying a dismal 38th position, he only made his way to 15th. That is not too shabby; however, both Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards were able to finish in the top ten after poor qualifying efforts. Bowyer’s streak of seven consecutive top tens ended with his fifteenth place finish. He is fifth in the Sprint Cup standings.

Bowyer has one victory, three top five finishes, seven top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 88.3.

7. (9) 48-Jimmie Johnson: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (6-1)

He wrecked two cars pre-qualifying. He qualified third, and then faded to a thirteenth place finish. It was quite a rollercoaster ride for Jimmie Johnson at Darlington. His car did not favor the longer runs. Johnson is still solidly in the top twelve in the standings, sixth to be precise, so there is no reason to panic. This team has set such a high standard, this appears to be an off-season, when in all actuality, they are quite solid.

Johnson has one win, four top five finishes, four top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 96.2.

8. (8) 20-Tony Stewart: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (6-1)

Is it the calm before the stormΔ We have not heard much from Tony Stewart since his Goodyear tire rant at Atlanta in March. Hullabaloo tends to surround Stewart, but it is his younger teammate Kyle Busch that has grabbed the limelight. That seems to be okay with Stewart for now, but the fact that his younger teammates are outperforming him has to be getting under his skin. He is eight in the championship standings.

He has four top five finishes, six top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 95.8.

9. (7) 29-Kevin Harvick: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (18-1)

After bouncing off the wall, Kevin Harvick was glad to see the end of the Dodge Challenger 500. His finish of 39th dropped him to ninth in the Sprint Cup standings. Harvick seems to be fading after a solid start to the season.

He has two top five finishes, five top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 92.1.

10. ( - ) 24-Jeff Gordon: Sprint Cup Championship Odds (8-1)

Is Jeff Gordon backΔ After a month-long slump, he has produced two consecutive solid showings. The Coca Cola 600 in two weeks will be a true test for the 24 team. As or the All-Star race, Gordon is always a threat in that sprint-style format. After finishing third, Gordon is back up to tenth in the Sprint Cup standings.

Gordon has four top five finishes, five top ten finishes, and a driver rating of 95.7.

On the rise: David Ragan (50-1), Matt Kenseth (25-1), Travis Kvapil (100-1), Dave Blaney (100-1), and Martin Truex, Jr. (30-1)

One the decline- Greg Biffle (30-1), Ryan Newman (40-1), Elliott Sadler (100-1), Kasey Kahne (50-1), and Casey Mears (100-1)