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Who’s Hot,
Who’s Not Joe Jacobs - SCR With only 10 races left the “Chase”
I believe its time to look at who’s hot and who’s not. Who’s Hot? Kasey Kahne: With out a doubt he is
the hottest driver currently on the circuit. 4 wins and 4 poles this season speak volumes for this kid. The team has finally
figured out how to keep the front tires on the car, the engine running the entire race and to keep Kahne under control. This
season he has been a completely different driver and it’s showing in the wins and points. Kahne is my mid season
pick for the championship. Jimmie Johnson has been on fire since
Daytona, The 48 team has come prepared for anything, even problems during a race which would have taking a lesser team out
of the points lead, they have come out on top. That team falls in garbage and comes out smelling like roses. They are
going to be tough to beat this year that’s for sure. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Another surprise
this season has been the 8 team. With consistent running and a win at Greg Biffle was out of the chase a
month ago. But now he has a win and has regained top form. The team has a win at Denny Hamlin, the surprise of the
season, has a win, and currently sits 9th in the points. He has earned a lot of respect from fans, and fellow drivers.
He must keep doing what he is doing and not worry about the media attention that he has received. Hamlin can make the chase
and do very well if he does not let the pressure get to him. Who’s Not? The 2005 Cup Champion Tony Stewart
started out the season well but after a couple of accidents and a broken shoulder has caused a fall in the points. The champ
could be in jeopardy of falling out of the chase. If Stewart does not turn it around soon he could be like Dale Earnhardt
Jr. and Jeff Gordon were in 2005, on the outside looking in at chase time. Jeremy Mayfield: The last man to make
the chase in 2005 has had a horrible season. I am not sure what is wrong over there at Evernham Motorsports, but the 19 team
has not hit the nail on the head quite like the 9 bunch. Mayfield has not had a top 5 or 10 all season. They need to stop
the bleeding now before it’s too late and look forward to 2007. Carl Edwards has had bad luck and
the typical sophomore season. He has crashed, had engine problems and just plain old bad luck. Edwards was Superman last year
but this year he has had a hand full of kryptonite. A turn around is desperately needed if he is to make it in the chase for
a second year in a row. A crew chief change has helped somewhat but he needs to kick it in to high gear or be left out in
the cold. Kyle Busch, who was 8th in the points
a few weeks ago, has now fallen to 12th. Accidents the last few races have caused poor finishes and they have taken there
toll. I think his temper has caught up with him as of late and it cost him 25 points that could hurt him come September.
He needs to rein in his temper and get his consistency back if he wants to make the chase. The current top five drivers in the
chase probably will not change, however, watching the next few races and the race for 10th should be great. Questions, Comments; |
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The views and opinions in this article are that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR
 2006 StockCar Review.
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