Posted on March 20, 2008

Shrub, Edwards, & Smoke Are the Drivers Fans Are Talking About Heading Into The Easter Break

by Ron Thornton About The Author	Email   Print

NASCAR's official points system is geared to rewarding those who consistently go out there week after week, but it does not always recognize those who have been the drivers that have been thrilling the fans.  For example, those who win a race, lead a bunch of laps, or finish in the Top Five or Top Ten are the ones who have put their stamp on a race and a season.

To be honest, I don't think casual fans really could care less who is where in the points.  Like those who watch golf only to see Tiger Woods in action, some just watch NASCAR to see that driver race on that day on that particular track. Their only interest is in seeing if their favorite proved to be a factor during the course of the event.  If what I suggest is true, then the likes of Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Tony Stewart would be considered the biggest stars of this young season regardless as to where they may currently sit in the points.

Here is a look at those who have given us reason to talk about them as the Cup boys head in to their Easter break. By the way, they are listed in order as to how much they have dominated our attention thus far this season with their efforts on the track and where they officially are ranked according to points.

SPRINT CUP
  1.  Kyle Busch #18 (1)
  2.  Carl Edwards #99 (16)
  3.  Tony Stewart #20 (7)
  4.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr #88 (5)
  5.  Greg Biffle #16 (2)
       Kevin Harvick #29 (3)
  7.  Jeff Burton #31 (4)
  8.  Ryan Newman #12 (8)     
  9.  Jimmie Johnson #48 (13)
10.  Jeff Gordon #24 (14)
       Kurt Busch #2 (10)

Though he leads in official points, Kyle Busch does not have the most wins, and others have managed more Top Tens. However, nobody has been a factor in as many races as the rowdy one from Las Vegas.  He did not win at Daytona, but his was the car to beat.  He did not win at Las Vegas, but he was one of three that grabbed most of the camera time.  Busch had the car to beat in Atlanta, and nobody managed to do so that time.  Is there any wonder why he is the driver most are talking about five races in to the season?  

Carl Edwards has won twice to place him high on our list.  While he hasn't exactly been picking up the points at a pace he would like just yet, his name is one that has got fans talking this season, loose nut or not. As for Tony Stewart, who as of Monday has all that newly cleared advertising space on his back, he might not have won at Bristol, but his was by far the most dominant until near the end.

Junior has not dominated, but like Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick he has been up there when the checkered flag has waved. Jeff Burton and Ryan Newman have both found Victory Lane this year, while Jimmie Johnson was second in California in what had been one of the most dominant cars on that day. You might notice there are actually eleven names on this list.  Quite frankly, I found I couldn't decide between either of the last two, so I included them both.


NATIONWIDE SERIES
  1.  Tony Stewart #20 (18)
  2.  Kevin Harvick #33 (1)
  3.  Clint Bowyer #2 (2)
  4.  Kyle Busch #18/32 (10)
  5.  Matt Kenseth #17 (31)
  6.  Mark Martin #5 (43)
  7.  David Reutimann #99 (5)
  8.  Greg Biffle #16 (12)
  9.  Kasey Kahne #9 (29)
10.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr #5 (27)

13.  Brad Keselowski #88 (8)
15.  Mike Bliss #22 (6)
17.  Jason Leffler #38 (9)
19.  Mike Wallace #7 (7)
21.  Bryan Clauson #41 (32)

Tony Stewart won at Daytona, followed it up with a win in California, and even had one of the top cars at Las Vegas before he crashed out.  Any questions?  As for Kevin Harvick, he was quiet to open the season before chalking up three Top Fives to go with Bristol's Top Ten.  Clint Bowyer dominated at Bristol, while Kyle Busch has a pair of runner up finishes and was the top dog at Atlanta before getting put back in the kennel.  Funny how those names all seem strangely familiar.

While the rest of the Top Ten have given Nationwide fans their thrills, all are Cup guys.  Driving for Junior, Brad Keselowski has gotten hot, picking up a pair of Top Tens in the last two events. Mike Bliss, Jason Leffler, and Mike Wallace might not have been as noticeable as some, but they are ranked right up there in the official points.  As for Bryan Clauson, you might not remember his Top Ten finish at Daytona, but I'm sure the feat has not been lost on the fans of the 18-year old.


CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
  1. Kyle Busch #51 (1)
  2. Todd Bodine #30 (2)
  3. Johnny Benson #23 (5)
      Ron Hornaday #33 (3)
  5. Mike Skinner #5 (7)
  6. Terry Cook #60 (11)
  7. David Starr #11 (8)
      Matt Crafton #88 (14)
  9. Chad McCumbee #8 (4)
10. Ted Musgrave #59 (12)

Okay, who else did you expect to lead this pack?  Kyle Busch finished second at Daytona, proved to have the best machine in winning in California, and then added the win in Atlanta just to prove the point.  Todd Bodine, who won Daytona, was near the front for the next two races as well, while Johnny Benson began the season with a pair of third place showings.  As for Ron Hornaday, Busch might have won in Atlanta, but Hornaday had the better machine for most of the day.  He just didn't have it in the end.  Each of the rest have at least one Top Five finish to their credit, except for Ted Musgrave. He slides in with a pair of Top Tens in three events.

Action resumes in the Nationwide Series this Saturday at Nashville before they get an off week, with the Craftsman Trucks returning the following Saturday in Martinsville. The Cup boys follow them on the same track that Sunday. Just in case you are missing Kyle Busch, he is scheduled to be making an appearance in all three. Why am I not surprised?

Happy Easter to you and yours.

You can contact Ron at thornton@speedwaymedia.com

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