S
stridsberry
Guest
I'm back, with the final installment of grading. At the last second, I deided to narrow down the field a bit, and do grades for those who competed in at least 2/3'rds the races. This narrowed the total down to the top-38 in standings, but it's just as well, because anyone below them would fail, anyway. Without further ado, here are the final 16 report cards.
STERLING MARLIN Standing: 18th
Points Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Top 20
3703 29 2 8 14 21
Grade: 77.7% (C+)
Comments: Thanks to a "sterling" start to the season, Marlin held the points lead longer than anybody over the course of the year. He managed to keep it for 25 straight weeks, even on those when he had problems. Once he lost it, though, it was a quick freefall. After falling to 3rd, a hard crash at Kansas City sidelined him for the balance of the season, and took away a still-realistic shot at the championship. And yet, he still managed to place in the top-20. If Marlin can come out at full strength to start the 2003 campaign, he should be right in a hunt for the championship again.
2003 Status: He's the only driver staying at Ganassi.
MARK MARTIN Standing: 2nd
4762 36 1 12 22 29
Grade: 101.9% (A++)
Comments: After being written off by numerous critics as on the downward spiral, Mark proved them all wrong with a spectacular resurgence. He lead the circuit in top-10 finishes, and broke his two years-plus winless streak. But once again, the championship eluded him, and he wound up continuing his trend of finishing 2nd in the points every fourth year. But that can't happen forever. While he certainly isn't the oldest driver among the regulars, he is beginning to run out of time to get that championship and shed the title that nobody wants.
2003 Status: Are you kidding me? Mark was the guy who brought Jack to prominence; you don't just dump your right-hand man.
JEREMY MAYFIELD Standing: 26th
3309 36 0 2 4 15
Grade: 67.2% (D+)
Comments: After kicking Casey Atwood out of this car to make room for Jeremy, big things were expected to justify the move. Mayfield posted just four top-10 finishes the entire season, and often would find himself running at the back while his elder teammate was racing for the win. In the end, Jeremy ended up in the same spot in points as Casey did - and if that didn't cut it for poor Casey, why should it for Jeremy?
2003 Status: It's questionable whether or not he'll have a full-time ride.
JERRY NADEAU Standing: 37th
2250 28 0 0 1 5
Grade: 38.7% (F)
Comments: Jerry had been steadily improving his performance two years running in Papa Joe's car, and I thought he could make a run for the top-15 this year. Boy, was I wrong. A number of crashes and poor performances led to his being released from Hendrick just 11 races in. He played rent-a-driver for the rest of the year, driving a total of four different cars - and almost winning in the 44. Luckily, was able to land on his feet, returning to MB2 Motorsports (whom he ran a partial schedule for in 1999), with a sponsorship deal from U.S. Army. Look for at least a few strong runs by this combo in 2003.
2003 Status: I already answered this.
JOE NEMECHEK Standing: 34th
2682 33 0 3 3 8
Grade: 51.6% (F)
Comments: Joe fled the sponsor-less Andy Petree for the security of Travis Carte and K-Mart, only to get the rug pulled out from under him. Taking over for Jerry Nadeau at Hendrick, he arguably had the worst summer of any Cup regular. But when the chips were down, he rallied to post three top-5s in the final 8 races, earning him a contract for next season. With luck, the team can carry the momentum over to next year, and convince the critics that it's a legitimate team.
2003 Status: signed.
RYAN NEWMAN Standing: 6th
4593 36 1 14 22 26
Grade: 96.4% (A)
Comments: Ryan got off to a streaky start to the season, with strong finishes countered by blown engines Ea lot of them. But once they got the motor department under control Newman was unstoppable. He won the Winston All-Star race, the 2nd NHIS event, a rookie-record 6 poles, and scored more points than anybody over the 2nd half of the season. He also won a hotly contested battle with the surprising Jimmie Johnson for the ROTY Award. He might get off to another slow start next year because of the switch to Dodge, but he should eventually become the 2nd engineer ever to win the Cup.
2003 Status: Next question, please!
STEVE PARK Standing: 33rd
2694 32 0 0 2 8
Grade: 49% (F)
Comments: As could be expected, Steve was rusty when he stepped back into the ****pit, and it took a while for his season to get off the runway. Unfortunately, people took this rustiness to mean that his skills were MIA, and questioning of his job security was rampant. Now that he's back in the swing of things and not having to listen to rumors anymore, his performance should be noticeably better in 2003.
2003 Status: Signed through the year, will have to earn additional years with performance.
KYLE PETTY Standing: 22nd
3501 36 0 0 1 20
Grade: 79.2% (C+)
Comments: Kyle's season was a much-needed and well-deserved return to mid-pack form. That may not sound like much, but it's better than the last two seasons. While he never finished better than 10th, he was consistently in the top-20, in race results and points, throughout much of the season, before a late slump dropped him to 21st. (His grade was in the "B" range before that slump.) With new sponsors and a new paint scheme for 2003, Kyle will look to get his first top-5 finish since 1997, and perhaps his first win since 1995.
2003 Status: When you own the car, you don't have to answer to nobody about your job security.
RICKY RUDD Standing: 10th
4323 36 1 8 12 30
Grade: 88% (B+)
Comments: With most high-profile teams, a 10th-place result in points is a disappointment. But when you've had a season of turmoil like Ricky has had, than it's remarkable, and worthy of a 5% "perseverance" bonus. First he was going to retire. Then he wanted to come back, only Sadler was already signed. Then he had a fistfight with his crew chief. Then he signed to drive Elliott's old ride. Than a crew member sucker-punched him. Through it all, they managed to finish out the season without anybody getting killed, and now Rudd can go to far, far away pastures with the Wood Brothers.
2003 Status: Has a three-year contract in hand Ewhich includes more of that family time he wanted.
ELLIOTT SADLER Standing: 23rd
3418 36 0 2 7 16
Grades: 68.8% (D+)
Comments: Elliott's year has to be considered something of a disappointment, after winning and finishing 20th in points in 2001. Truth is, he had two 2nd-place finishes and a career-high seven top-10s (previous high was 2); he was just too inconsistent to make anything happen. Now he's got a three-year deal with Robert Yates and M&M's, giving him the opportunity to prove that he's got the talent and consistency to be a legitimate contender.
2003 Status: Answered.
KEN SCHRADER Standing: 30th
2954 36 0 0 0 8
Grade: 55.1% (F)
Comments: Simply put, a lost year. Kenny continued his 5-year decline in the points in a big way, falling 11 spots and never finishing better than 13th all season. He hasn't won a race since the first President Bush was in office, been in the top-5 since 1998, and now, a year without a top-10. It all added up to losing his ride. He'll be heading back to drive for Andy Petree (whom his last top-10 points finish came with) if they can get a sponsor, and this may be his last chance to prove he can be competitive in Winston Cup.
2003 Status: It all comes down to money, and Andy needs some to put Kenny on the track.
MIKE SKINNER Standing: 31st
2886 36 0 0 1 5
Grade: 58.9% (F)
Comments: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Mike Skinner and Morgan-McClure were prominent in Winston Cup in the '90s, but by the time they've joined up, they're on the decline. Mike managed just one top-10 finish all year, a 6th at Rockingham, and was the lowest driver in points among those who competed in every race. In a major move to stimulate the team, they'll be switching to Pontiacs in 2003, hoping that the added factory support will help them out. My take: it'll help some, but not enough to get back to the top-25 in owner points.
2003 Status: Two years left on his contract.
JIMMY SPENCER Standing: 27th
3187 34 0 2 6 11
Grade: 59.8% (F)
Comments: Jimmy and Chip were expecting nothing short of top-notch performance after joining forces for 2002. Unfortunately, they came up way short. Jimmy failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 and at Watkins Glen, had just two top-5s, and finished a distant 27th in the points. While it was admittedly a lot better than his preceeder in the car performed, it wasn't enough to prevent Felix from handing him his walking papers at the end of the year, and after most of the top rides had been filled. At least he has his Busch Series deal to potentially fall back on.
2003 Status: If I were Jimmy, I would go back to the Busch Series and run for the championship, so he can once again taste some success.
TONY STEWART Standing: 1st
4800 36 3 15 21 28
Grade: 96.9% (A+)
Comments: Tony's year was only slightly better statistically than in 2001, but this time around, it was good enough to win the championship. Perhaps what was more impressive was how he rallied his team down the stretch, using duel probation as motivation for trying to prove his doubters wrong. It paid off, in the closest points battle since 1997. It will be tough to repeat in 2003, partly because of the stiff competition and partly because of the adjustment period for the switch to Chevrolets.
2003 Status: Tony will never be fired due to lack of performance; it's as simple as that.
RUSTY WALLACE Standing: 7th
4574 36 0 7 17 29
Grade: 92.1% (A-)
Comments: The entire season for Rusty was a case of being close, but coming up short. He was close to contending for the championship - he came up short. He was close to winning a race, with four 2nd-place finishes - he came up short. And he was close to coming out on top of a tight points battle for 3rd - guess what, he came up short. He'll be driving for his 3rd manufacturer since coming to Penske next year, and he undoubtedly hopes that the Intrepids can put him back in the winner's circle.
2003 Status: One of a handful of drivers who will be with his current team until he retires.
MICHAEL WALTRIP Standing: 14th
3985 36 1 4 10 22
Grade: 85.3% (
Comments: Michael came close to being a job-hunter for next season, but he responded to rumors by going on one of the best stretches of his career, with five top-10s in seven races - and his 2nd career win - to keep himself at DEI. For the rest of the year, he was consistent enough to crack the top-15 in the final standings for the first time since 1996. Though I've been thinking - since he seems to run a lot better when his job is on the line, maybe he should stink it up at the start of next season, too, to generate those oh-so-motivating rumors.
2003 Status: Driver and sponsor are signed for two years, but guess which one has the final say in who stays and who goes?
STERLING MARLIN Standing: 18th
Points Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Top 20
3703 29 2 8 14 21
Grade: 77.7% (C+)
Comments: Thanks to a "sterling" start to the season, Marlin held the points lead longer than anybody over the course of the year. He managed to keep it for 25 straight weeks, even on those when he had problems. Once he lost it, though, it was a quick freefall. After falling to 3rd, a hard crash at Kansas City sidelined him for the balance of the season, and took away a still-realistic shot at the championship. And yet, he still managed to place in the top-20. If Marlin can come out at full strength to start the 2003 campaign, he should be right in a hunt for the championship again.
2003 Status: He's the only driver staying at Ganassi.
MARK MARTIN Standing: 2nd
4762 36 1 12 22 29
Grade: 101.9% (A++)
Comments: After being written off by numerous critics as on the downward spiral, Mark proved them all wrong with a spectacular resurgence. He lead the circuit in top-10 finishes, and broke his two years-plus winless streak. But once again, the championship eluded him, and he wound up continuing his trend of finishing 2nd in the points every fourth year. But that can't happen forever. While he certainly isn't the oldest driver among the regulars, he is beginning to run out of time to get that championship and shed the title that nobody wants.
2003 Status: Are you kidding me? Mark was the guy who brought Jack to prominence; you don't just dump your right-hand man.
JEREMY MAYFIELD Standing: 26th
3309 36 0 2 4 15
Grade: 67.2% (D+)
Comments: After kicking Casey Atwood out of this car to make room for Jeremy, big things were expected to justify the move. Mayfield posted just four top-10 finishes the entire season, and often would find himself running at the back while his elder teammate was racing for the win. In the end, Jeremy ended up in the same spot in points as Casey did - and if that didn't cut it for poor Casey, why should it for Jeremy?
2003 Status: It's questionable whether or not he'll have a full-time ride.
JERRY NADEAU Standing: 37th
2250 28 0 0 1 5
Grade: 38.7% (F)
Comments: Jerry had been steadily improving his performance two years running in Papa Joe's car, and I thought he could make a run for the top-15 this year. Boy, was I wrong. A number of crashes and poor performances led to his being released from Hendrick just 11 races in. He played rent-a-driver for the rest of the year, driving a total of four different cars - and almost winning in the 44. Luckily, was able to land on his feet, returning to MB2 Motorsports (whom he ran a partial schedule for in 1999), with a sponsorship deal from U.S. Army. Look for at least a few strong runs by this combo in 2003.
2003 Status: I already answered this.
JOE NEMECHEK Standing: 34th
2682 33 0 3 3 8
Grade: 51.6% (F)
Comments: Joe fled the sponsor-less Andy Petree for the security of Travis Carte and K-Mart, only to get the rug pulled out from under him. Taking over for Jerry Nadeau at Hendrick, he arguably had the worst summer of any Cup regular. But when the chips were down, he rallied to post three top-5s in the final 8 races, earning him a contract for next season. With luck, the team can carry the momentum over to next year, and convince the critics that it's a legitimate team.
2003 Status: signed.
RYAN NEWMAN Standing: 6th
4593 36 1 14 22 26
Grade: 96.4% (A)
Comments: Ryan got off to a streaky start to the season, with strong finishes countered by blown engines Ea lot of them. But once they got the motor department under control Newman was unstoppable. He won the Winston All-Star race, the 2nd NHIS event, a rookie-record 6 poles, and scored more points than anybody over the 2nd half of the season. He also won a hotly contested battle with the surprising Jimmie Johnson for the ROTY Award. He might get off to another slow start next year because of the switch to Dodge, but he should eventually become the 2nd engineer ever to win the Cup.
2003 Status: Next question, please!
STEVE PARK Standing: 33rd
2694 32 0 0 2 8
Grade: 49% (F)
Comments: As could be expected, Steve was rusty when he stepped back into the ****pit, and it took a while for his season to get off the runway. Unfortunately, people took this rustiness to mean that his skills were MIA, and questioning of his job security was rampant. Now that he's back in the swing of things and not having to listen to rumors anymore, his performance should be noticeably better in 2003.
2003 Status: Signed through the year, will have to earn additional years with performance.
KYLE PETTY Standing: 22nd
3501 36 0 0 1 20
Grade: 79.2% (C+)
Comments: Kyle's season was a much-needed and well-deserved return to mid-pack form. That may not sound like much, but it's better than the last two seasons. While he never finished better than 10th, he was consistently in the top-20, in race results and points, throughout much of the season, before a late slump dropped him to 21st. (His grade was in the "B" range before that slump.) With new sponsors and a new paint scheme for 2003, Kyle will look to get his first top-5 finish since 1997, and perhaps his first win since 1995.
2003 Status: When you own the car, you don't have to answer to nobody about your job security.
RICKY RUDD Standing: 10th
4323 36 1 8 12 30
Grade: 88% (B+)
Comments: With most high-profile teams, a 10th-place result in points is a disappointment. But when you've had a season of turmoil like Ricky has had, than it's remarkable, and worthy of a 5% "perseverance" bonus. First he was going to retire. Then he wanted to come back, only Sadler was already signed. Then he had a fistfight with his crew chief. Then he signed to drive Elliott's old ride. Than a crew member sucker-punched him. Through it all, they managed to finish out the season without anybody getting killed, and now Rudd can go to far, far away pastures with the Wood Brothers.
2003 Status: Has a three-year contract in hand Ewhich includes more of that family time he wanted.
ELLIOTT SADLER Standing: 23rd
3418 36 0 2 7 16
Grades: 68.8% (D+)
Comments: Elliott's year has to be considered something of a disappointment, after winning and finishing 20th in points in 2001. Truth is, he had two 2nd-place finishes and a career-high seven top-10s (previous high was 2); he was just too inconsistent to make anything happen. Now he's got a three-year deal with Robert Yates and M&M's, giving him the opportunity to prove that he's got the talent and consistency to be a legitimate contender.
2003 Status: Answered.
KEN SCHRADER Standing: 30th
2954 36 0 0 0 8
Grade: 55.1% (F)
Comments: Simply put, a lost year. Kenny continued his 5-year decline in the points in a big way, falling 11 spots and never finishing better than 13th all season. He hasn't won a race since the first President Bush was in office, been in the top-5 since 1998, and now, a year without a top-10. It all added up to losing his ride. He'll be heading back to drive for Andy Petree (whom his last top-10 points finish came with) if they can get a sponsor, and this may be his last chance to prove he can be competitive in Winston Cup.
2003 Status: It all comes down to money, and Andy needs some to put Kenny on the track.
MIKE SKINNER Standing: 31st
2886 36 0 0 1 5
Grade: 58.9% (F)
Comments: Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Mike Skinner and Morgan-McClure were prominent in Winston Cup in the '90s, but by the time they've joined up, they're on the decline. Mike managed just one top-10 finish all year, a 6th at Rockingham, and was the lowest driver in points among those who competed in every race. In a major move to stimulate the team, they'll be switching to Pontiacs in 2003, hoping that the added factory support will help them out. My take: it'll help some, but not enough to get back to the top-25 in owner points.
2003 Status: Two years left on his contract.
JIMMY SPENCER Standing: 27th
3187 34 0 2 6 11
Grade: 59.8% (F)
Comments: Jimmy and Chip were expecting nothing short of top-notch performance after joining forces for 2002. Unfortunately, they came up way short. Jimmy failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 and at Watkins Glen, had just two top-5s, and finished a distant 27th in the points. While it was admittedly a lot better than his preceeder in the car performed, it wasn't enough to prevent Felix from handing him his walking papers at the end of the year, and after most of the top rides had been filled. At least he has his Busch Series deal to potentially fall back on.
2003 Status: If I were Jimmy, I would go back to the Busch Series and run for the championship, so he can once again taste some success.
TONY STEWART Standing: 1st
4800 36 3 15 21 28
Grade: 96.9% (A+)
Comments: Tony's year was only slightly better statistically than in 2001, but this time around, it was good enough to win the championship. Perhaps what was more impressive was how he rallied his team down the stretch, using duel probation as motivation for trying to prove his doubters wrong. It paid off, in the closest points battle since 1997. It will be tough to repeat in 2003, partly because of the stiff competition and partly because of the adjustment period for the switch to Chevrolets.
2003 Status: Tony will never be fired due to lack of performance; it's as simple as that.
RUSTY WALLACE Standing: 7th
4574 36 0 7 17 29
Grade: 92.1% (A-)
Comments: The entire season for Rusty was a case of being close, but coming up short. He was close to contending for the championship - he came up short. He was close to winning a race, with four 2nd-place finishes - he came up short. And he was close to coming out on top of a tight points battle for 3rd - guess what, he came up short. He'll be driving for his 3rd manufacturer since coming to Penske next year, and he undoubtedly hopes that the Intrepids can put him back in the winner's circle.
2003 Status: One of a handful of drivers who will be with his current team until he retires.
MICHAEL WALTRIP Standing: 14th
3985 36 1 4 10 22
Grade: 85.3% (
Comments: Michael came close to being a job-hunter for next season, but he responded to rumors by going on one of the best stretches of his career, with five top-10s in seven races - and his 2nd career win - to keep himself at DEI. For the rest of the year, he was consistent enough to crack the top-15 in the final standings for the first time since 1996. Though I've been thinking - since he seems to run a lot better when his job is on the line, maybe he should stink it up at the start of next season, too, to generate those oh-so-motivating rumors.
2003 Status: Driver and sponsor are signed for two years, but guess which one has the final say in who stays and who goes?
Look for a few wins and a contender for the top 10 in point of 15 for Kyle