Who's Up

Who's Down

Biggest Gain This Week:

Ryan Newman: 10th to 8th

Biggest Drop This Week:

Kasey Kahne: 7th to 9th

Rank: 1st

• Jimmie Johnson #48
• Last Week: 1
  Change: 0
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Jimmie Johnson- 6 Wins, 21 Top Tens

Johnson will race so conservatively at Talladega that I personally wouldn't be surprised if he settles for a 15th place finish. Last year he drove the most conservative race that I ever seen out of the 48.

Rank: 2nd

• Jeff Gordon #24
• Last Week: 2
  Change: 0
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Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 23 Top Tens

Gordon now sits 150 points out of the lead so he needs maximum points every race just to even put himself in a position to gain on the 48. I think Gordon will beat Johnson at two of the last four races, but that won't be enough.

Rank: 3rd

• Juan Pablo Montoya #42
• Last Week: 4
  Change: +1
• Driver Page | Articles

Juan Pablo Montoya - 7 Top Fives, 17 Top Tens

Another week, another good finish. I'm amazed that they've had so many good races in the Chase and yet somehow they're 200 points back. If he didn't have problems at Lowes then he would be within 100 points .

Rank: 4th

• Mark Martin #5
• Last Week: 3
  Change: -1
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Mark Martin - 5 Wins, 19 Top Tens

According to Martin after Talladega is when we'll first be able to hear about how he views his Championship hopes. Mark has only raced here once since 2006, and that didn't turn out so good.

Rank: 5th

• Tony Stewart #14
• Last Week: 6
  Change: +1
• Driver Page | Articles

Tony Stewart - 4 Wins, 22 Top Tens

It's not mathematically official yet but in my opinion it's over for the 14. Stewart may be able to make up a considerable amount of points on the 48 at Talladega, but I think he'll lose them at Texas and Phoenix.

Rank: 6th

• Kurt Busch #22
• Last Week: 5
  Change: -1
• Driver Page | Articles

Kurt Busch - 1 Win, 18 Top Tens

Statistically speaking Kurt Busch is the top driver in the series at Talladega. He's never won here, but he does have an knack for finishing races at Talladega.

Rank: 7th

• Denny Hamlin #11
• Last Week: 8
  Change: +1
• Driver Page | Articles

Denny Hamlin - 3 Wins, 17 Top Tens

On Sunday Hamlin captured his second career win at Martinsville and his third of the season. Now the question in my mind is when will Hamlin win at a track that isn't either flat or short?

Rank: 8th

• Ryan Newman #39
• Last Week: 10
  Change: +2
• Driver Page | Articles

Ryan Newman - 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens

Ryan Newman collected his second pole of the season at Martinsville and he also tied his Chase best finish of 7th. Newman is also currently 7th in points.

Rank: 9th

• Kasey Kahne #4
• Last Week: 7
  Change: -2
• Driver Page | Articles

Kasey Kahne - 2 Wins, 13 Top Tens

One of my Talladega rules of thumb is that if your in a bad streaking heading into Talladega don't expect to get spared from the big one. In 11 races at Talladega Kahne only has 1 top ten finish.

Rank: 10th

• Greg Biffle #16
• Last Week: 9
  Change: -1
• Driver Page | Articles

Greg Biffle - 9 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens

Greg Biffle says that he doesn't like Martinsville and he went out there and proved it. I sure would love to hear thoughts on Talladega where in 13 races he only has 1 top ten and 5 DNF's.

Rank: 11th

• Carl Edwards #99
• Last Week: 11
  Change: 0
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Carl Edwards - 7 Top Fives, 13 Top Tens

Carl Edwards had a little better day going for him then his final finish position shows. It wasn't to much better though. This team can't wait until the season is over. I expect them to be really good in 2010, but this year is a complete flop.

Rank: 12th

• Brian Vickers #83
• Last Week: 12
  Change: 0
• Driver Page | Articles

Brian Vickers - 1 Win, 13 Top Tens

With his 11th place finish at Martinsville Vickers tied his 2008 last ten races best finish (also at Martinsville). History doesn't repeat itself though because the 83 team wasn't caught cheating this year.