AFTER CHICAGOLAND RANKINGS

Kenseth moving up, but needs a win

DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer

Monday, Jul. 14, 2008

• Photos from Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway

That's Racin' ranks the top 40 teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after the Lifelock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway at Joliet, Ill. Rankings are based on performance and potential for success. (Last week's ranking in parentheses):

1. (1) Kyle Busch -- car No. 18

Just in case you were wondering, the team in this slot won't be changing for a while.

2. (2) Carl Edwards -- car No. 99

Great car at Chicago, but the way the 18 team is going there's no room for mistakes.

3. (6) Matt Kenseth -- car No. 17

After a slow start, this team officially has its act together. But a win would be nice.

4. (3) Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- car No. 88

In a way salvaging 16th at Chicagoland with how this car ran speaks well of this team.

5. (7) Jimmie Johnson -- car No. 48

Without final yellow Chicago's story would've been this team stepping up to duel 18.

6. (4) Kasey Kahne -- car No. 9

It a bit of a stall after brilliant stretch. But this team has always had a knack for Indy.

7. (5) Jeff Burton -- car No. 31

Just when it needs to be showing improvement this team looks a little wobbly lately.

8. (9) Tony Stewart -- car No. 20

Not sure we buy the into the pressure's off, watch out line. But watch out at Indy.

9. (10) Jeff Gordon -- car No. 24

A way to keep Busch from tying your modern 13-win record would be to win some.

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

This team's fourth-place Chicagoland finish was its first top 10-finish since Dover.

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

If Joey Logano drives the 20 next year, Hamlin will be Gibbs team's senior driver.

12. (13) Kevin Harvick -- car No. 29

Six top-10 finishes in eight tries at Chicago, and he's been good at Indianapolis, too.

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

14. (16) Brian Vickers -- car No. 83

15. (15) David Ragan -- car No. 6

16. (17) Martin Truex Jr. -- car No. 1

17. (14) Kurt Busch -- car No. 2

18. (18) Ryan Newman -- car No. 12

19. (19) Mark Martin/Aric Almirola -- car No. 8

20. (21) Elliott Sadler -- car No. 19

21. (20) Bobby Labonte -- car No. 43

22. (22) Juan Pablo Montoya -- car No. 42

23. (25) Jamie McMurray -- car No. 26

24. (23) Casey Mears -- car No. 5

25. (28) David Reutimann -- car No. 44

26. (29) Robby Gordon -- car No. 7

27. (24) Travis Kvapil -- car No. 28

28. (26) David Gilliland -- car No. 38

29. (27) Paul Menard -- car No. 15

30. (31) Dave Blaney -- car No. 22

31. (33) Reed Sorenson -- car No. 41

32. (32) Sam Hornish Jr. -- car No. 77

33. (30) Michael Waltrip -- car No. 55

34. (36) AJ Allmendinger -- car No. 84

35. (34) Patrick Carpentier -- car No. 10

36. (38) Scott Riggs -- car No. 66

37. (39) J.J. Yeley -- car No. 96

38. (35) Regan Smith -- car No. 01

39. (37) Michael McDowell -- car No. 00

40. (40) Joe Nemechek -- car No. 78

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