NASCAR Driver Rankings & Championship Odds- Dover

Dover International Speedway -- 09/21/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Sep 24 2008 1:12pm

1. (1) 48-Jimmie Johnson: 7-4 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Jimmie Johnson enjoyed another solid day at Dover; however, he was not in the same class as the Roush Fenway Racing trio of Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, and Carl Edwards. You still have to like Johnson’s title chances at this point in the season, especially with all of the misfortune Kyle Busch has suffered over the past two weeks. Johnson should be a threat to win at each of the remaining tracks on the schedule, whereas Edwards and Biffle may struggle at unconventional tracks such as Martinsville and Talladega. Johnson is tied with Greg Biffle for the second position in the Sprint Cup standings, 10 points behind Carl Edwards.

After 28 races, Johnson has four wins, eleven top five finishes, and sixteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 105.3.

2. (4) 16-Greg Biffle: 6-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It is Greg Biffle’s turn to wear the crown as the hottest driver in NASCAR after Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Jimmie Johnson have swapped that role throughout the majority of the season. Biffle is peaking at an ideal time, and is appearing more like a driver that can not only hang with Johnson and Edwards, but also outrun them. Biffle has several favorable tracks ahead on the Sprint Cup agenda, starting with Kansas this weekend, which is where he won his only race in 2007. Biffle is a legitimate championship contender. He is tied with Jimmie Johnson for second in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 10 points behind Carl Edwards.

After 28 races, Biffle has two wins, ten top five finishes, and thirteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 93.6.

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

Carl Edwards finished third after an exhilarating duel with his teammates Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle. He was the leader when his crew chief Bob Osborne opted for a two tire pit stop as opposed to four fresh tires, which is what his teammates opted for. With fresher tires, Biffle and Kenseth were able to bypass Edwards and duke it out for the victory. Still, it was a solid points day for Edwards, as he now leads Jimmie Johnson and Biffle by ten points.

After 28 races, Edwards has six wins, thirteen top five finishes, and twenty-one top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 106.8.

4. (2) 18-Kyle Busch: 16-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Following eight victories in the first twenty-six races, Kyle Busch’s paramount season has began to disintegrate right in front of his very eyes. Last week at New Hampshire, a broken heim joint was the culprit. At Dover, it was far more acute as his engine failed after only 172 laps. The frustrated driver conceded his championship hopes were over following his abysmal 43rd place showing. He falls to twelfth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 210 points behind Edwards.

After 28 races, Kyle Busch has eight wins, fifteen top five finishes, and seventeen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 108.3, which is first among Sprint Cup drivers.

5. (7) 29-Kevin Harvick: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kevin Harvick continues to ride his wave of momentum following his sixth place finish at Dover. Nevertheless, he cannot seem to get up there and battle for victories. Many analysts expected Harvick, not Biffle, to catch fire in the Chase for the Championship with break out wins, but that has yet to transpire for the two-time Nationwide Series champion. Harvick is still in the title hunt, but he needs a victory. He is fifth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 101 points behind Carl Edwards.

After 28 races, Harvick has yet to win, but he has scored six top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 89.9.

6. (6) 31-Jeff Burton: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Jeff Burton is back to scoring top ten finishes after a summer dearth, but he is far from a Sprint Cup championship contender at the moment. Burton’s team is simply an eighth to tenth place team. He finished ninth at Dover. Until they begin to show marked improvement, and contend for wins, he will linger towards the bottom half of the top ten. He is currently fourth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 82 points behind Edwards.

After 28 races, Jeff Burton has one win, five top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 89.4.

7. (5) 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr: 28-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Following two consecutive top five finishes, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his legion of fans had high hopes for the race in Dover. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of viewers, Earnhardt, Jr. encountered another exasperating day. From handling woes to cut tires, Earnhardt, Jr. found himself out of contention, and off the lead lap. He ended the afternoon with a 24th place finish, three laps off the pace. He is currently ninth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 129 points behind Edwards.

After 28 races, Earnhardt, Jr. has one win, nine top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 100.9.

8. (8) 20-Tony Stewart: 33-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It was a nondescript race for Tony Stewart and the 20 team as they never seemed to find a comfortable balance. Stewart qualified in the 33rd position, so track position was an issue throughout the day. He ended the day in the eleventh position, which was far below expectations. Stewart has been quiet throughout most of the season, and is still searching for the first win of the season, and perhaps the final win with Joe Gibbs Racing. He is currently seventh in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 113 points behind Edwards.

After 28 races, Stewart is still searching for his first win of the season, but he has recorded an impressive nine top five finishes, and fourteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.3.

9. (NR) 17-Matt Kenseth: 100-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Matt Kenseth has not contended for too many wins in 2008, so things appear to be on the upswing for the 17 team. Kenseth was defeated by his teammate Greg Biffle, but he led the most laps, and looked like the same driver that nearly won the championship two years ago. Kenseth has the ability to strike hot in the same way that Biffle has recently. He is by no means out of the championship tussle. He is currently tenth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 167 points behind his teammate Edwards.

After 28 races, Kenseth is winless, but he has posted seven top five finishes, and sixteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 87.6.

10. (10) 24-Jeff Gordon: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After winning the pole at Dover, Jeff Gordon and his fans expected a solid outing for the four-time champion. Gordon had a strong showing, but he had nothing for the Roush Fenway Racing trio. He led laps, and was a fixture in the top ten throughout the day, which is a good sign that Gordon may begin a late-season surge. He is currently eighth in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 118 points behind Edwards.

After 28 races, Jeff Gordon has yet to win, but he has scored nine top five finishes, and thirteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.6.

On the rise: Clint Bowyer (50-1 nascar odds), Mark Martin, Michael Waltrip, Dave Blaney, and David Reutimann

On the decline: Denny Hamlin (100-1 nascar odds), Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, and Juan Pablo Montoya