Man, that was a long Brickyard race. Pace car driver Brett Bodine led only three less laps than Jeff Gordon did.
Biggest Gain this week: Dale Jarrett, up nine spots
Biggest Drop this week: Ryan Newman, down eight spots
New this week: Joe Nemechek (24).
Dropped out: Scott Wimmer (24).
Week 21 of 36, Sirius at The Glen at Watkins Glen International
Rank Prev Number Driver Comments
1 1 Jeff Gordon We got a few emails after we had Gordon ranked first last week. But we were right. Gordon’s team is the best right now.
2 3 Kasey Kahne The NASCAR.COM Superstore was out of Kasey Kahne gear for awhile, but we finally got all the Bill Elliott stitching off and transferred to Kasey Kahne. Whew. It would have taken a lot longer if Elliott’s replacement had been Jamie McMurray.
3 5 Tony Stewart Did you see the report in the Indianapolis paper that said he hung out with the photographer he punched? You have got to admit, Tony’s been awfully relaxed and mellow the last few weeks. If he keeps it up, he’ll be on Intimate Portrait before the year’s over.
4 2 Jimmie Johnson His engine died, mainly because he was ordered to use Powerade in lieu of motor oil.
5 14 Dale Jarrett He’s hoping NASCAR changes the points system to award bonus points for commercial performances. If they do, Jarrett and Waltrip will fight it out for the title every year.
6 13 Elliott Sadler Apparently, he is refusing to cut his hair until he fails to finish a race.
7 6 Kurt Busch He could win Indy 54 times in the next 54 years, but we’ll only think about that hot day in August when he showed his rear on NBC.
8 8 Mark Martin He won from the Bud Pole three straight years one time at Watkins Glen, which is one of the greatest feats in NASCAR history.
9 7 Jeremy Mayfield He’s not particularly good at the tracks coming up, which means we will see just how strong this team really is.
10 10 Jamie McMurray We guess you heard the crazy rumor that he might sit out a year and just drive the Busch Series if he has to drive for Chip Ganassi next year. Don’t do it, Jamie. If you leave Ganassi you’ll lose your fluency in Marlinese. Stay with Ganassi to stay sharp.
11 15 Matt Kenseth We actually saw this headline this week: Robbie Reiser, Kenseth's crew chief, is recognized. Oh really? Like in a grocery store? “Hey, you’re that….wait, don’t tell me…..that Dewalt guy….crew chief…..”
12 4 Ryan Newman If he doesn’t pick it up, the headline writers will have a field day writing, Goodbye, Newman. For heaven’s sake, Ryan, don’t let it come to that.
13 9 Michael Waltrip He qualified second at Watkins Glen once. But we still think Boris Said actually qualified the car that day, after straightening out his hair and dyeing it black, of course.
14 11 Terry Labonte So now there is talk that he might switch to part-time next year. And that’s just to avoid another ditech.com commercial.
15 19 Kevin Harvick Consistency, mixed with a road course and a short track – will make it hard to keep him out of the top 10.
16 16 Dale Earnhardt Jr. He said the car was real uncomfortable to drive at Pocono because it was set up for John Andretti. Hopefully, he didn’t have a phone book in the seat.
17 22 Greg Biffle Just as soon as we pointed out his lack of top-10 finishes, he done went and reeled off two in a row.
18 20 Robby Gordon He should start his own team. He can even call it RCR and claim he still drives for RCR. Road Course Racing.
19 12 Bobby Labonte He doesn’t get enough credit for his skill on road courses, and one of these days, he’s going to score a top-three finish on one.
20 17 Casey Mears Word of advice, Casey: When -- not if -- Ward Burton invites you hunting this winter, don’t go.
21 18 Brian Vickers He’s scored a fourth of his winnings this year in just two races (Daytona 500, Indy).
22 25 Jeff Burton He did a very good job as a color commentator during the Busch race last weekend. Which means he didn’t scream when a wreck was happening.
23 21 Rusty Wallace He’s been playing a lot of golf lately. Fortunately, most courses have senior tees nowadays, although they are called “forward” tees.
24 NR Joe Nemechek He signed for another year in the 01, making him the longest-tenured driver of the 01 since Bo Duke.
25 22 Sterling Marlin Sterling needs to teach these drivers that you don’t have to talk for 10 minutes on-camera to explain why you didn’t finish the race. 1. Done blowed up, get ‘em next week. 2. Done wadded up, get ‘em next week.
The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.
Biggest Gain this week: Dale Jarrett, up nine spots
Biggest Drop this week: Ryan Newman, down eight spots
New this week: Joe Nemechek (24).
Dropped out: Scott Wimmer (24).
Week 21 of 36, Sirius at The Glen at Watkins Glen International
Rank Prev Number Driver Comments
1 1 Jeff Gordon We got a few emails after we had Gordon ranked first last week. But we were right. Gordon’s team is the best right now.
2 3 Kasey Kahne The NASCAR.COM Superstore was out of Kasey Kahne gear for awhile, but we finally got all the Bill Elliott stitching off and transferred to Kasey Kahne. Whew. It would have taken a lot longer if Elliott’s replacement had been Jamie McMurray.
3 5 Tony Stewart Did you see the report in the Indianapolis paper that said he hung out with the photographer he punched? You have got to admit, Tony’s been awfully relaxed and mellow the last few weeks. If he keeps it up, he’ll be on Intimate Portrait before the year’s over.
4 2 Jimmie Johnson His engine died, mainly because he was ordered to use Powerade in lieu of motor oil.
5 14 Dale Jarrett He’s hoping NASCAR changes the points system to award bonus points for commercial performances. If they do, Jarrett and Waltrip will fight it out for the title every year.
6 13 Elliott Sadler Apparently, he is refusing to cut his hair until he fails to finish a race.
7 6 Kurt Busch He could win Indy 54 times in the next 54 years, but we’ll only think about that hot day in August when he showed his rear on NBC.
8 8 Mark Martin He won from the Bud Pole three straight years one time at Watkins Glen, which is one of the greatest feats in NASCAR history.
9 7 Jeremy Mayfield He’s not particularly good at the tracks coming up, which means we will see just how strong this team really is.
10 10 Jamie McMurray We guess you heard the crazy rumor that he might sit out a year and just drive the Busch Series if he has to drive for Chip Ganassi next year. Don’t do it, Jamie. If you leave Ganassi you’ll lose your fluency in Marlinese. Stay with Ganassi to stay sharp.
11 15 Matt Kenseth We actually saw this headline this week: Robbie Reiser, Kenseth's crew chief, is recognized. Oh really? Like in a grocery store? “Hey, you’re that….wait, don’t tell me…..that Dewalt guy….crew chief…..”
12 4 Ryan Newman If he doesn’t pick it up, the headline writers will have a field day writing, Goodbye, Newman. For heaven’s sake, Ryan, don’t let it come to that.
13 9 Michael Waltrip He qualified second at Watkins Glen once. But we still think Boris Said actually qualified the car that day, after straightening out his hair and dyeing it black, of course.
14 11 Terry Labonte So now there is talk that he might switch to part-time next year. And that’s just to avoid another ditech.com commercial.
15 19 Kevin Harvick Consistency, mixed with a road course and a short track – will make it hard to keep him out of the top 10.
16 16 Dale Earnhardt Jr. He said the car was real uncomfortable to drive at Pocono because it was set up for John Andretti. Hopefully, he didn’t have a phone book in the seat.
17 22 Greg Biffle Just as soon as we pointed out his lack of top-10 finishes, he done went and reeled off two in a row.
18 20 Robby Gordon He should start his own team. He can even call it RCR and claim he still drives for RCR. Road Course Racing.
19 12 Bobby Labonte He doesn’t get enough credit for his skill on road courses, and one of these days, he’s going to score a top-three finish on one.
20 17 Casey Mears Word of advice, Casey: When -- not if -- Ward Burton invites you hunting this winter, don’t go.
21 18 Brian Vickers He’s scored a fourth of his winnings this year in just two races (Daytona 500, Indy).
22 25 Jeff Burton He did a very good job as a color commentator during the Busch race last weekend. Which means he didn’t scream when a wreck was happening.
23 21 Rusty Wallace He’s been playing a lot of golf lately. Fortunately, most courses have senior tees nowadays, although they are called “forward” tees.
24 NR Joe Nemechek He signed for another year in the 01, making him the longest-tenured driver of the 01 since Bo Duke.
25 22 Sterling Marlin Sterling needs to teach these drivers that you don’t have to talk for 10 minutes on-camera to explain why you didn’t finish the race. 1. Done blowed up, get ‘em next week. 2. Done wadded up, get ‘em next week.
The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.
