Hard to believe, but we've gone past the halfway point of the 2007 Nextel Cup season. There are only seven more races left to run until we hit the Chase in its new format. 13 different drivers - including three who wouldn't be in the Chase if it started today - have won the 19 races. Only Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, with four each, have won more than once.
Here's a look at the best, worst, and what's to come for the second half.

Best performance: That's easy. Jeff Gordon has had the best season of his career to date. With 17 top-10 efforts in 19 races, the only true blip has been a 41st-place run where he DNF'd at Lowe's in May. The other worst? A 12th at Atlanta. That's sick.
But remember: The totals Gordon is building now won't mean diddly when the Chase starts.
Best finish: Jamie McMurray's win at the Pepsi 400. He absolutely stole the win from Kyle Busch by mere inches with his own teammate's help (Carl Edwards). After going without a win for nearly five years, the emotion was outstanding to see.
Runner-up: Kevin Harvick over Mark Martin at Daytona. Even with all the wrecking going on behind them, it proved that running up front actually means something.
Honorable mention: Juan-Pablo Montoya's win at Sonoma. In the irony of all ironies, he won in the No. 42 car as its former driver, none other than McMurray, who gave owner Chip Ganassi his only other Nextel Cup win, ran out of gas as the race stayed green for the final 41 laps on a difficult road course.
Three-peater magic: Jimmie Johnson delivered at Las Vegas again, this time with a dominating car. He needed it because the new racing surface at LVMS was anything but a joy to race on.
The championship belt, something that may have been borrowed from Evander Holyfield's collection, seemed appropriate because drivers were battling the track for both the Cup and Busch races.
Worst post-race moment: Kyle Busch whining about his teammates' lack of help at Daytona. His words came after he won the Busch race earlier in the day. He came within mere inches of pulling off one of the more intriguing daily doubles you'd ever want to see, yet all he could do was cry.

For the second half, which begins on July 29 at Indianapolis, look out for Tony Stewart. He made a run of five wins in seven weeks when he won the 2005 title, so don't be surprised if he follows up his Chicago win with a strong showing in his own backyard (he's an Indiana native).
Ryan Newman is the driver most likely to sneak in the back door to get into the Chase. He's had a couple of poles and some good top-5 runs, but he'll need a few more to move up. He's 13th in points heading to Indy and sits only 30 behind Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for the final Chase spot.

Should the Chase start today, here's how those currently in would line up:
1. Jeff Gordon 5040 (four wins, wins tiebreaker with Jimmie Johnson by virtue of his five poles won).
2. Jimmie Johnson 5040 (four wins, no poles)
3. Denny Hamlin 5010 (one win, one pole. Only driver of the next eight with a pole, so that breaks the tie).
4. Matt Kenseth 5010 (has seven top-5s)
5. Jeff Burton 5010 (has six top-5s)
6. Tony Stewart 5010 (beats Carl Edwards 12-7 in top 10s).
7. Carl Edwards 5010 (has five top-5s, seven top 10s).
8. Kyle Busch 5010 (has one more top 10 than Kevin Harvick)
9. Kevin Harvick 5010 (won the Daytona 500)
10. Martin Truex, Jr. 5010 (only four top-5s and seven top 10s)
11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 5000 (three top 5s to only one for Clint Bowyer)
12. Clint Bowyer 5000

In addition to Newman, his Penske Racing South teammate Kurt Busch is charging hard for a Chase spot. He's only 47 behind Newman and 77 off of 12th. All it takes is one bad finish or a DNF to spoil the best-laid championship plans.

With ESPN and ABC on board the rest of the way, our TV viewing and excitement should be just beginning.

Posted by Tom Zulewski at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )

Nothing like a good sit-down talk to get your head right, especially if your name happens to be Tony Stewart.
After a contentious week were there was more sniping with teammate Denny Hamlin than grade-schoolers who don't know how to share, Stewart went out and won the USG Sheetrock 400 at Chicago.
But did he move up in the power rankings? Read on as we enjoy the off week before Indianapolis.

1. Jeff Gordon: Earned his 17th top-10 in the season's 19 races. That's sick, but in the best way possible.
2. Matt Kenseth: Won't settle for second, but didn't quite have the car to catch Stewart.
3. Denny Hamlin: Finished 17th, stayed out of Stewart's way.
4. Jimmie Johnson: Cut tire cost him three spots in the points.
5. Tony Stewart; Second-half driver starts out in style.
6. Carl Edwards: Back-to-back top-5s with third-place run at Chicago.
7. Jeff Burton: Finished 7th after starting 23rd.
8. Clint Bowyer: He'll be in Victory Lane before 2007 is done.
9. Martin Truex, Jr.: Engine trouble led to 39th-place finish.
10. Kevin Harvick: Had strong car, couldn't hold off Edwards near finish.
11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Not having power steering may be fun, but finishing 19th just plain sucks.
12. Ryan Newman: Knocking on Chase door after 8th-place finish.

On the way up: Casey Mears (needs a few more finishes like Sunday's fifth at Chicago to have a Chase shot), Greg Biffle (11th-place run helping build momentum).
On the way out: Jamie McMurray (fell victim to flat tire at Chicago, lost his momentum after last week's win), J.J. Yeley (was 17th in points, finished 35th).

Indianapolis track fact: As if his season hasn't been good enough already, Jeff Gordon is coming to a track he loves. He's won at the Brickyard four times, more than any other driver.
The race will mark ESPN's debut with Nextel Cup coverage. ESPN will air the races until Richmond, then ABC carries all of the races in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Posted by Tom Zulewski at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBacks ( 0 )