Las Vegas, the home of the Busch brothers, is next, but as we near race time for the Kobalt Tools 400, the hot topic is April’s NRA 500.
The National Rifle Association is sponsoring the race in Texas next month. Those against guns are not happy, but those who support the NRA are thrilled. Now I am not a gun guy, though we had a couple around as I was growing up. I do not even remember the last time I saw a gun fired. I do not believe I have ever fired a handgun, and more than 20 years have past since I shot a rifle. I can tell you that no targets were harmed when I did so. There are many responsible folks who have guns, but too many nut jobs and criminals do as well. That said, the NRA does not support the nut jobs or the criminals, but the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. So, they should be able to sponsor whatever they like. Personally, I think the focus has been too much on the “right” of the people to keep and bear arms, and not enough on the “responsibilities and expectations” demanded of a well regulated militia. All rights also come with responsibilities, or at least they should.
The same goes in NASCAR, where you got to follow the rules or you lose your right to drive or sit atop the pit box. Sometimes rights are earned, like the right to be called a champion. Brad Keselowski was the hottest driver at the end of last season and over the past ten he is still setting the pace. Eight drivers in total have averaged 30 points or more per event over that term.
This does not include Dale Earnhardt Jr or Mark Martin, who have missed two of those ten, yet are both among our hot 20. In fact, they are racing good enough to be in our Top Ten based on their per race average. As for who is heating up or cooling off, with his win in Phoenix, Carl Edwards has jumped six places to enter our Top 10, while Ryan Newman tumbles from 8th to 13th.
Neither Danica or Ricky will make an appearance on this list for a few more races, but Stenhouse does lead Patrick 60-42 in points after two events, though her 8th place finish at Daytona gives her the lone Top Ten. Hey, I just thought you might be interested.
| Name | Points | POS | LW | w | t5 | t10 |
| Brad Keselowski | 387 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 354 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Clint Bowyer | 352 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Greg Biffle | 335 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Kyle Busch | 333 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Jeff Gordon | 312 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Denny Hamlin | 312 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Matt Kenseth | 309 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Kasey Kahne | 297 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Carl Edwards | 292 | 10 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Aric Almirola | 292 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Kevin Harvick | 289 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Ryan Newman | 288 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Martin Truex, Jr. | 265 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Tony Stewart | 264 | 15 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Paul Menard | 262 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Joey Logano | 258 | 17 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 257 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Mark Martin | 244 | 19 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Kurt Busch | 238 | 20 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
