NASCAR Driver Rankings & Championship Odds- Coke Zero 400

Daytona International Speedway -- 07/05/08

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Monday Jul 7 2008 2:24pm

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

What can you sayΔ Kyle Busch is in the zone right now, similar to how Jimmie Johnson was in the zone last fall in the Chase for the Championship. Busch is fast every week, and puts himself in position to win. Can he maintain this momentum once the Chase for the Championship beginsΔ That remains to be seen, but for the time being, he is making many anti-Rowdy fans miserable. He opened his lead in the Sprint Cup championship standings by 182 points over Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

After eighteen races, Kyle Busch has six wins (33 percent), eleven top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He leads the series with a driver rating of 109.3.

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

If the final caution occurred five second later than it did, Carl Edwards would have likely won his first Sprint Cup event at Daytona. He had a run on Kyle Busch when all heck broke loose on the final lap of the green-white-checkered finish. Edwards settled for a second place finish and appeared somewhat disappointed that he lost to Busch again. The runner up finish notwithstanding, it was Edwards’ best effort on a restrictor plate track since his Sprint Cup career began in 2004. He is fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, 249 points behind Kyle Busch.

After eighteen races, Edwards has three wins, seven top five finishes, and a series-high thirteen top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 101.5.

3. (3) 88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 5-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. led 51 laps, more than any other driver in the field did; however, he faded to an eighth place finish. Still, it was a strong outing for Earnhardt, Jr. and his Hendrick Motorsports team. As we head into the second half of the season, it is safe to say that Earnhardt, Jr.’s transition to Hendrick Motorsports has been advantageous. He is a threat practically every week, which was not the case last year while he was driving for DEI. He moves up to second in the championship standings, 182 points behind Kyle Busch.

After eighteen races, Earnhardt, Jr. has one victory, seven top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 105.0.

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

Jimmie Johnson spent a majority of the evening running with the front pack, but a late-race incident put him in the back. He settled for a substandard 23rd place finish, but it could have been much worse. Johnson is fifth in the Sprint Cup standings, 176 points ahead of thirteenth place driver Kevin Harvick.

After eighteen races, Johnson has one victory, four top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 99.7.

5. (5) 31-Jeff Burton: 15-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

For the first time in 2008, Jeff Burton did not finish in the top fifteen. Burton was involved in two separate accidents, the final one sealed his fate, and he limped to a 37th place finish, and his first DNF (did not finish) of the season. The 31 team has been a model of consistency throughout the first half of the season. That should not change as we head into the second half of the season. Burton is third in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 202 points behind Kyle Busch.

After eighteen races, Burton has one win, four top five finishes, and ten top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 91.1.

6. (8) 17-Matt Kenseth: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It was an awfully slow start to the season that initiated rumblings that Matt Kenseth may miss the Chase for the Championship for the first time since the format was implemented in 2004. Nevertheless, the always-reliable driver turned up the wick and rallied his way back into contention. With his seventh top ten in the last eight races, Kenseth moves up to ninth in the championship standings, 23 points ahead of Kevin Harvick.

After eighteen races, Kenseth is still searching for his first victory, but he has recorded four top five finishes, and eleven top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 86.4.

7. (7) 24-Jeff Gordon: 10-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Jeff Gordon conceded that he made an error in judgment when he was leading the race with just a handful of laps remaining. Instead of holding the bottom line, Gordon moved up to the high line to block Matt Kenseth’s advances, therefore leaving the door open for Kyle Busch to assume the race lead. On the final restart, Gordon was hit from behind by Carl Edwards, and was relegated to a 30th place finish. He maintains his sixth place position in the championship standings, but he is only 106 points ahead of Kevin Hayrick.

After eighteen races, Gordon has yet to post a win, but he has scored seven top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 95.0.

8. (6) 11-Denny Hamlin: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Denny Hamlin enjoyed a solid run until contact from Martin Truex, Jr. sent him spinning into Ryan Newman, ending any hopes of a top five finish. Hamlin ended up finishing in the 26th position. He also tested his teammate Kyle Busch’s skills when he tapped Busch from behind during mid-race. Busch saved his car, and we all know the end result. Hamlin is seventh in the Sprint Cup standings, 97 points ahead of Kevin Harvick.

After eighteen races, Hamlin has one win, five top five finishes, and nine top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 94.2.

9. (9) 20-Tony Stewart: 10-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

For Tony Stewart to relinquish his seat in the racecar during the race, he must have felt horrible. Stewart encountered flu-like symptoms that nearly dehydrated him. He was smart in climbing out of the car when he did. Despite his sickness, Stewart had an impressive run going. He even moved up to third at one point in the 400-mile event. J.J. Yeley took over on lap 71. NASCAR credit Stewart with a 20th place finish. He is 12th in the Sprint Cup championship standings, 2 points ahead of Kevin Harvick.

After eighteen races, Stewart has yet to win, but he has posted five top five finishes, and eight top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 93.5.

10. (NR) 9-Kasey Kahne: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kasey Kahne enjoyed a solid outing at Daytona as he finished seventh. All was not well for Kahne on lap 144 when his tire began to show signs of deflation. A caution on lap 149 allowed Kahne to pit and he rallied to finish in the top ten. He is eighth in the championship standings, 34 points ahead of Kevin Harvick.

After eighteen races, Kahne has two wins, three top five finishes, and nine top ten finishes. He has a driver rating of 86.7.

On the rise: Kurt Busch (80-1), David Ragan, Clint Bowyer (30-1), Robby Gordon, and Mark Martin

On the decline: Greg Biffle (15-1), Ryan Newman (100-1), Juan Pablo Montoya (100-1), Elliott Sadler, and Casey Mears