The Twelve Chase Contenders

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Wednesday Mar 18 2009 1:51pm

Following the rare weekend off in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, it is time to reflect on current dozen drivers that occupy the top twelve in the Sprint Cup championship standings. Of course, it is highly unlikely that these exact same twelve drivers will be fighting each other for the title, as there are several big names on the outside looking in. There are twenty-two races until the Chase for the Championship field is set.

1. Jeff Gordon: 5-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

It has been a tremendous start for the four-time champion. Jeff Gordon is looking like the driver we saw two years when he scored thirty top ten finishes in thirty-six races. When this team is off, they are off, but when they hit their stride, they are awfully tough to beat. It is just a matter of time before Gordon wins a race in 2009.

2. Clint Bowyer: 40-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

In the preseason, many analysts expected Clint Bowyer to fade out of Chase for the Champiosnhip contention. However, he has scored three top ten finishes in four races. Other than the race at California, he has had a top ten car. We are still a long way before the Chase for the Championship, but Bowyer is on pace to appear in his third consecutive championship chase.

(-43)

3. Kurt Busch: 20-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

The 2008 season was a disaster for Kurt Busch and Penske Racing as a whole. Nevertheless, the performance of this No. 2 team is like night and day when compared to last year. Busch appears to have completely turned the corner, but this team has a history of inconsistency. It is still too early to tell if they are for real.

(-46)

4. Carl Edwards: 5-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Carl Edwards has not had the explosive start he enjoyed in 2008, but he has been solid. His third place finish at Atlanta was his best finish thus far in 2009. Expect Edwards and the No. 99 team to rapidly pick up the pace as we approach some of his better tracks such as Bristol and Texas.

(-87)

5. Matt Kenseth: 7-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After a blazing hot start to the 2009 season, Matt Kenseth cooled off considerably at Las Vegas and Atlanta. Do not allow his last two finishes to fool you, however. He is still a legitimate championship contender, and a virtual lock for a spot in the Chase for the Championship barring a bizarre string of misfortune.

(-88)

6. Tony Stewart: 15-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Surprise! Surprise! Tony Stewart is among the top twelve, in fact, he is sixth in the Sprint Cup standings. Many critics felt as if Stewart’s performance would take a nosedive after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to drive for a team that he partially owns, Stewart Haas Racing, formerly Haas CNC Racing. Thus far, he has been consistent. There is still some room for improvement as far as his performance is concerned.

(-113)

7. Kyle Busch: 5-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kyle Busch has a win under his belt, which is no surprise. He struggled some at Atlanta, but other than that, his performance has been solid.

(-120)

8. Kevin Harvick: 25-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Thus far, Kevin Harvick is performing around the same level as he did in 2008. Obviously, he needs to improve if he intends to win a race.

(-123)

9. Kasey Kahne: 40-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Kasey Kahne has flown under the radar in 2009. His mistakes have been minimal, but he has not ran near the front very often. He could be one of the drivers that fades out of the top twelve unless there is significant improvement in his performance.

(-150)

10. Greg Biffle: 7-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Other than a hiccup at Atlanta, Greg Biffle has been fast in 2009. Expect him to continue his solid performances as we head into the spring months.

(-154)

11. Brian Vickers: 60-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

After wrecking out of the Daytona 500, Brian Vickers has posted three consecutive top ten finishes. At Atlanta, he had a car capable of winning.

(-157)

12. David Reutimann: 100-1 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

Michael Waltrip Racing driver David Reutimann is one of the pleasant surprises in 2009. His best finish is fourth at Las Vegas. He has three top fifteen finishes in four races.

(-159)

Outside looking in: Jimmie Johnson (13th), Denny Hamlin (14th), Jeff Burton (15th), Dale Earnhardt Jr (24th), Ryan Newman (32nd), and Mark Martin (34th)

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User	Comment
JJFan48	I`m willing to bet that it will be a Hendrick driver that wins the Championship later this year. For me, I`d like to see Jimmie win again. Interestingly, if he does, indeed, win again and does it by beating his teammate Jeff Gordan who currently is in the points lead, he`s also beating his co-car owner. There`s always a twist.
NascarGroupie	As you say, Jeremy, there is a long way to go before you can really say the twelve contenders. So much can happen in the many races left before we really know who will be in the final field.
OGr8ty8	I`m a Dale fan but I have a really good feeling about Kurt Busch this year. I think the next few races will be most telling but if he can place high or even win some races, I think he may be one of the strong contenders for the championship.
RaceFan88	I hate to say it but it doesn`t appear to be Dale Jr`s year to win a championship if things don`t start happening. I am always cheering him on but there needs to be some strong finishes to move him up in the ranks. Even here he is on the outside looking in. I want to see him in, not out. Let`s go Dale!!
NapaFave55	I agree that Kasey Kahne needs to step up and perform better than he has shown up to this point in 2009. He is both a fantastic driver and a fan favorite. He either needs to get a win or be further up to score some top-10 or top-5 finishes.
GordaFan24	I like Jeff Gordan`s odd on winning the championship. I think this marriage and fatherhood have settled him and his focus is now geared more on his racing. I don`t agree that Jimmie Johnson is such a long shot but time will tell.
Ted	Maybe Kasey is just having a bad luck streak and it can be shook off as the rest of the time goes. jamming, you are right on the money for JJ, maybe he should have your nick!
brownlee59	Poor Kasey. He hasn`t done well this year so far. At the end of last year he wasn`t doing so good either. I`d like to see Tony Stewart not even in the running for the championship.He just complains too much.
jamming	I would definitely say that these names will change down the road. If you look at history, Jimmie Johnson has a tendency to stay below the radar until halfway through the season. As for the rest, I guess it could go either way for them.
Cal	I am still waiting to get some more feedback from others before I decide who I am going with, this season has been crazy and the 3 split with Gordy/Busch/Edwards is screwing me up, not too sure on Edwards so still I got some thinking time to make up my mind before the races start up.
junkyard	Gordon, Edwards and Kyle Busch are all 5-1 odds. Very nice to see that Gordon has some competition because I don`t want to see him win this weekend. My money is on Busch, whether I like it or not.
rirmama	I fully agree that Reutimann will win a race before the season ends. He`s been running great this year! I am anxious for the race this weekend since we`ve had a bit of a break.
brix12	I`ll be eyeing Tony Stewart sometime in the upcoming races. So far he has ended many times as a second tier, but he needs to make improvements.
ryder_29	I expect to see David Reutimann win one of the future races this year, since he`s been included as one of the top chase contenders. Joey Logano should also be a good addition to the list.
Tetchie	Brian Vickers` Toyota Camry was capable of winning the race in Atlanta? Wow, this is another impressive record for Toyota manufacturers. And if one driver spoke about his favorite race track, he should be winning the race on that track, which is, Kasey Kahne.
jade06	Did I just notice that Jimmie Johnson isn`t included among the twelve chase contenders? The two guys, Earnhardt and Martin should also get the limelight as additional chase contenders for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.