Championship Drivers Winless In 2008

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Apr 9 2008 1:27pm

Nearly two months into the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, a championship-winning driver has yet to grace their presence in victory lane. Carl Edwards leads the series with three wins, and as far as I am concerned, he is a championship waiting to happen. Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, and Denny Hamlin have also won a race in 2008.

Six former champions compete in the Sprint Cup series on a full-time basis, all that have won a title this decade.

Jeff Gordon’s struggles at Texas were painful to watch if you are a fan of the four-time champion. It seems as if the new car has thrown some first-rate teams a wicked curve ball. What is perplexing is that Gordon was fast at California, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, all tracks that are similar to Texas’ configuration; yet, the minute they unloaded the DuPont Chevrolet last weekend, they seemed lost at sea. Gordon’s overall average finish in 2008 is 19.7.

Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson underwent similar toils at Las Vegas last month when he finished in 29th position, three laps off the pace. His handling angst persisted at Atlanta a week later; on the other hand, at Texas, Johnson and the 48 team mirrored the team that won fifteen races combined and two championships in 2006 and 2007. By the end of May, we should know where this team stands as far as championship contenders are concerned. Johnson’s average finish in 2008 is 13.6.

Matt Kenseth, the 2003 champion, has remained consistent in 2008. This team has yet to hit that magical setup; however, other than Martinsville, they have performed respectably. In 2006 and 2007, Kenseth was a safe bet on the intermediate tracks. With the new car, he has yet to display that ability to compete for wins. Well, at Las Vegas, Kenseth was stout until he and Gordon tangled. If he does not pick up the pace, Kenseth could be in trouble as far as the Chase is concerned. The top twelve drivers in the standings are there for a reason. Thus far, he has an average finish of 16.9.

Of all the former champions, the 2002 and 2005 champion, Tony Stewart, is the by far most consistent. While he has yet to encounter an insufferable day like Gordon at Texas and Johnson at Las Vegas, he has not displayed that prevalence either, other than at Bristol. Stewart is in the top five in the standings, and should be the first of the former champions to win a race, but his two younger teammates are outperforming him at the moment. Underneath his confident exterior, that has to be eating him up. Nevertheless, he has an average finish of 11.6 in 2008.

Since Kurt Busch finished second in the Daytona 500, he has vanished from the radar. Meanwhile, his Penske Racing teammate Ryan Newman continues to post solid finishes. Busch and crew chief Pat Tryson figured out the old car in 2007, but they seem at nascar odds with the setup in the new car. Busch is fading fast as far as the Chase for the Championship is concerned; however, it is still very early, and there is plenty of time for the 2004 champion to spark a rally. Currently, he has an average finish of 18.9 in 2008, far below their expectations.

It is not all that surprising that Bobby Labonte remains winless. After all, he has not won a race in nearly five years. Additionally, he drives for Petty Enterprises, a team that has not won in over nine years. Labonte’s experience and expertise is beneficial up to a certain point, but in order for him to contend for wins on a weekly basis, he needs enhanced equipment, which he may have in 2009 if he joins Richard Childress Racing as anticipated. Labonte’s average finish on the season is 21.1.

Rating the former champions

1. Tony Stewart- (9-2) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Richmond International Raceway

2. Jimmie Johnson- (6-1) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Lowe’s Motor Speedway

3. Jeff Gordon- (6-1) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Talladega Super Speedway

4. Matt Kenseth- (10-1) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Dover International Speedway

5. Kurt Busch- (50-1) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Pocono Raceway

6. Bobby Labonte- (100-1) Sprint Cup championship nascar odds
First win likely to occur at Michigan International Speedway