Rankings | Stewart, 20 crew still the ones

THATSRACIN.COM RANKINGS

DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007

David Poole of The Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com ranks the top-40 teams in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series following the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. (Rankings based on team performance and potential. Each team’s previous week’s ranking in parentheses:)

1. (1) Tony Stewart - car No. 20

Finished 10th and it was like he wasn’t on the track at Michigan. How soon we forget.

2. (2) Jeff Gordon - car No. 24

Fin spelled finis to hopes for Michigan win. Needs a little pre-Chase positive mojo.

3. (3) Denny Hamlin - car No. 11

For some reason, my mind keeps coming back to this team as one to watch in Chase.

4. (4) Jimmie Johnson - car No. 48

Thought two tires late would mean a Michigan win. Rarely works that way anymore.

5. (5) Matt Kenseth - car No. 17

Stunk up the show in last year’s night race at Bristol with a remarkably dominant car.

6. (9) Kurt Busch - car No. 2

Speaking of dominant. This team was untouchable at Pocono and again at Michigan.

7. (6) Kyle Busch - car No. 5

Think about it. He’s never lost a car of tomorrow race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

8. (7) Carl Edwards - car No. 99

In top 10 all day and was seventh at Michigan, but it seems he should’ve been better.

9. (10) Martin Truex Jr. - car No. 1

May have to hold off teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. in battle to secure a Chase slot.

10. (8) Kevin Harvick - car No. 29

Usually a threat when Cup Series goes to a short track. Fourth at Bristol this spring.

11. (11) Jeff Burton - car No. 31

12. (12) Clint Bowyer - car No. 07

13. (14) Dale Earnhardt Jr. - car No. 8

14. (13) Ryan Newman - car No. 12

15. (18) Casey Mears - car No. 25

16. (16) Greg Biffle - car No. 16

17. (15) Mark Martin/Regan Smith - car No. 01

18. (19) Bobby Labonte - car No. 43

19. (17) Juan Pablo Montoya - car No. 42

20. (23) Robby Gordon - car No. 7

21. (20) Reed Sorenson - car No. 41

22. (21) Jamie McMurray - car No. 26

23. (22) Tony Raines - car No. 96

24. (32) Dave Blaney - car No. 22

25. (24) David Gilliland - car No. 38

26. (25) Ricky Rudd - car No. 88

27. (27) Jeff Green - car No. 66

28. (31) David Stremme - car No. 40

29. (26) J.J. Yeley - car No. 18

30. (28) Kasey Kahne - car No. 9

31. (29) Elliott Sadler - car No. 19

32. (38) Brian Vickers - car No. 83

33. (30) Bill Elliott - car No. 21

34. (35) David Ragan - car No. 6

35. (36) Johnny Sauter - car No. 70

36. (37) David Reutimann - car. No. 00.

37. (33) Paul Menard - car No. 15

38. (40) Ward Burton - car No. 4

39. (39) Kyle Petty - car No. 45

40. (34) Scott Riggs - car No. 10