NASCAR Midseason Report Cards

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Jul 9 2008 1:47pm

A+

Kyle Busch: 2-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

With six wins, eleven top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes, if there were any grade than an A+, he would have received it. Kyle Busch is the unequivocal favorite to win the Sprint Cup Championship, and the results back that up.

A

Carl Edwards: 6-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After winning three of the first seven races of the 2008 season, it appeared as if Carl Edwards was going to be the dominant driver. He has not won a race since, but he is a weekly contender, and the top running Roush Fenway Racing driver.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: 5-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s first season with Hendrick Motorsports has been a pleasant surprise. Not that we thought he would struggle, but to be the top running driver at Hendrick Motorsports is somewhat staggering. Earnhardt Nation is happy again, and for good reason. And he finally broke that excruciating 76-race winless streak at Michigan last month.

A-

Jeff Burton: 15-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After eighteen races, Jeff Burton has scored seventeen top fifteen finishes, an amazing stat indeed. He is the new Mr. Consistency, and rarely makes mistakes. Burton’s uniformity may make him a player in the Chase for the Championship showdown.

B+

Jimmie Johnson: 7-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It is not as if Jimmie Johnson has been a major disappointment in 2008. Following ten wins in 2007 that ultimately led to his second Sprint Cup championship, the standard for this team was much higher than rival teams. Johnson should qualify for the Chase for the Championship, and will be a factor in the final ten races.

Kasey Kahne: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Considering the colossal disappointment Kasey Kahne and the 9 team were in 2007, their 2008 results have been nothing short of spectacular. This team was lost in the dark on a deserted island last year, and this year, they already have three wins, if you count the All-Star race. The only thing that could potentially hinder this team is inconsistency.

Denny Hamlin: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Denny Hamlin has enjoyed a solid season thus far, but when compared to his teammate Kyle Busch, he falls short. Hamlin quickly emerged as one of NASCAR’s top drivers, but he has yet to take that next step, which is winning consistently. Hamlin will be one of the drivers to watch in the second half of the season.

B
Jeff Gordon: 10-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

The last time Jeff Gordon went this deep into a season without a victory was in 2002. Gordon’s performance has improved since mid to late April, and he stays out of trouble for the most part, but other than last week at Daytona and two weeks ago at New Hampshire, he rarely contends for the win. Gordon will continue to improve and should pick up that first win of the season. Sorry Gordon-haters, he will not end the season winless.

Clint Bowyer: 30-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After winning at Richmond in May, Clint Bowyer’s numbers have fallen off. He was as high as fourth in the Sprint Cup standings, and now finds himself dangerously on the bubble. Bowyer and his Richard Childress Racing team are one of the more consistent teams in the garage, so expect him to distance himself from the cutoff.

Greg Biffle: 15-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

If his grade was based on performance alone, Greg Biffle would receive and A. The 16 team has been one of the top five teams as far as performance is concerned. They just have awful luck. Blown engines, pit miscues, and bizarre on-track incidents have been the story for Biffle. This is a team that can rack up three or four wins in a short period of time. If the performance is there, the results will come.

Matt Kenseth: 12-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Eight weeks ago, we were wondering if Matt Kenseth would even crack the top fifteen in the standings. Now he is up to ninth. When you are fast and consistent, you have the potential to climb up the standings at a rapid pace. Kenseth is due for a win, and should easily qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

Tony Stewart: 10-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Like Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart has endured a slew of bad luck. Blown tires, failed pit strategy, and a couple of on-track incidents with Kevin Harvick have haunted this team throughout the season. Even though it is common knowledge that Stewart is leaving the 20 team following the season, do not expect him to become a lame duck driver. This team is capable of making a strong run at the championship.

Mark Martin: No nascar odds

With two top five finishes and six top ten finishes in only thirteen starts, Mark Martin’s part-time ride is paying dividends. Next season, Martin will return to full-time competition. It would surprise no one if Martin won a race before the season concludes.

B-

Ryan Newman: 100-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Following his Daytona 500 triumph, the season has taken a turn for the worse for Ryan Newman.

Kevin Harvick: 35-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kevin Harvick has no wins and has not finished in the top ten since Richmond in May. Thus far, he is one of the season’s biggest disappointments.

David Ragan:

David Ragan is one of the most improved drivers in 2008. To say that he struggled in 2007 is an enormous understatement.

Brian Vickers:

See David Ragan comment.

C+
Kurt Busch: 80-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Despite a win and a fourth place finish in the last two races, he is basically racing for the thirteenth place consolation prize.

Martin Truex, Jr.: 60-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After a breakthrough season in 2007, Martin Truex, Jr. has underachieved in 2008. The 150-point penalty only rubbed salt in the wound.

Travis Kvapil:

The season has been a success based on what Travis Kvapil has to work with.

David Gilliland

See Travis Kvapil comment

C

Bobby Labonte:

The 2008 season practically mirror his mediocre seasons in 2006 and 2007.

C-

Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears drive for two of the most powerful organizations yet they cannot seem to get the job done. Elliott Sadler and Juan Pablo Montoya are only as good as their equipment.

Jamie McMurray
Casey Mears
Elliott Sadler
Juan Pablo Montoya

D

Of all the drivers on the D-list, only Dave Blaney and Sam Hornish Jr shown the slightest bit potential. Paul Menard and David Reutimann are not much better than they were last year.

Paul Menard
David Reutimann
Dave Blaney
Michael Waltrip
Sam Hornish Jr
Regan Smith
Patrick Carpentier
Robby Gordon
Terry Labonte

F

After two modest seasons in 2006 and 2007, Reed Sorenson should have shown some sign of improvement by now. Instead, his performance has declined. A.J. Allmendinger is improving and if it were not for his disastrous start to the season, he may have found himself on the D-list.

Reed Sorenson
A.J. Allmendinger
Joe Nemechek
Scott Riggs
Dario Franchitti
J.J. Yeley
Michael McDowell
Kyle Petty
Bill Elliott
Whoever drives the 70 car