NASCAR Stocks: Headed for Turn Two

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 by Jim Mc Coy

Let’s re-visit for a moment my Top Ten Power Poll from last week. Once again, here are the top drivers, in my not-so humble opinion (All-Star race- a non-points race is not factored in):

#1- Kyle Busch- Can’t argue with the wins and being a factor in EVERY race this season.

#2- Carl Edwards- He’d easily be #1 if not for Busch. A kinder, gentler Shrub.

#3- Denny Hamlin- Overshadowed by teammate Busch, he’s charging hard as of late.

#4- Dale Earnhardt Jr.- Only needs the wins to vault towards the top. Is not running bad races.

#5- Jeff Burton- Putting together his typical quietly solid season.

#6- Clint Bowyer- He’s on the verge of really breaking out. He’ll be here at the end of the day.

#7- Jimmie Johnson- This isn’t a bad position for the “sneaky fast” David Pearson-style.

#8- Tony Stewart- Like Johnson, he may only go upward. Look for upward movement in July.

#9- Jeff Gordon- Wow. I’m not sure he stays up here. He and his team just look out of sorts.

#10- David Ragan- “David Wreck-Um” has evolved. It’s gotta help he has good mentors at Roush.

Ready to Strike:

The wily vets (they run well, their equipment questionable)- Matt Kenseth (mainly a victime of bad luck), Greg Biffle (like teammate Kenseth, the Edwards mojo hasn’t rubbed off), Bobby Labonte (he and Robbie Loomis have upgraded Petty’s team, but they’re not quite there yet), Dave Blaney (put him with an organization that’s not strapped for cash and he’s a top 15 easy), Kevin Harvick (his struggles are a mystery to me).

The young dudes: Ryan Newman (has real moments of brilliance, and others not-so), Kasey Kahne (he’ll get a lift from the All-Star win), Brian Vickers (can be really fantastic, and at other times as consistent as a paer cup in a wind storm), Juan Pablo Montoya (gives us some foreign intrigue), Martin Truex Jr. (just needs a little luck).

Up Next: “Pull Those Belts Tight!” Race Preview (tomorrow), “Fearless Forecast” (Saturday), “Race Re-Cap” (Sunday), “Road To Glory” *Premier* (Monday).