Daytona power rankings
Did you see that finish in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona on Saturday night? In a word...wow!
The word for runner-up Kyle Busch, who got beat by Jamie McMurray? More like "waaaah," as in "my teammates didn't help me get the win, so I'll cry about it to the media."
Boo-bleepin-hoo!
Big-time props go out to McMurray. After watching his fuel tank run dry two weeks ago as he lost the fuel mileage gamble while leading at Sonoma in the closing laps, it was only appropriate that the driver of the No. 26 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion got his first win in nearly five years - 166 total starts - at a special place like Daytona.
WIth the season at its official halfway point, here are the latest power rankings. Sit back and enjoy.
1. Jeff Gordon: The man is having his best year, by far. Another top-5 run at Daytona.
2. Jimmie Johnson: Wasn't around to help Kyle Busch out, but still grabbed a top-10.
3. Matt Kenseth: Mr. Consistency goes to the land of the top 10 again, his 12th in 18 races.
4. Denny Hamlin: Got tapped by teammate Tony, finished last.
5. Carl Edwards: Found top-5 for first time since win at Michigan.
6. Tony Stewart: Don't believe a word he says...he got into the back of teammate.
7. Clint Bowyer: The 07 finishes 07th on 07-07-07. How totally weird!
8. Martin Truex, Jr.: Finished 13th, lost spot in standings.
9. Jeff Burton: Finished 16th, still fifth in points.
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Got collected in the Stewart-Hamlin wreck, finished 36th.
11. Kevin Harvick: Got tapped into the wall by Juan Pablo Montoya, finished 34th.
12. Jamie McMurray: Ended long winless drought to pull within 49 points of final Chase spot.
On the way up: The rest of the Roush Fenway Racing team, who all finished in the top 12 at Daytona: Greg Biffle (6th) and David Ragan (12th). The rookie also did well at the 500, finishing fifth.
On the way out: Kyle Busch (no love for whiners here), Juan Pablo Montoya (still needs to figure out how to race on ovals).
Chicagoland track fact: In its short history, only two of Chicago's six winners have started inside the top 10 - Kevin Harvick (6th in 2001) and Tony Stewart (10th in 2004). Harvick is the only repeat winner, taking the checkered flag in 2001 and 2002.
Chicagoland and Kansas both made debuts hosting Nextel Cup races in 2001.
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