Spring Break
NASCAR's Top Drivers Ready For The Chase
Greg Sjovall
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Sports
NASCAR's top drivers will begin their ten race pursuit of the most prestigious racing championship in America. This weekend, NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup begins at the New Hampshire International Speedway. This year's field has some of the brightest stars in NASCAR today. Everyone you probably would expect to find competing for a championship - except for Dale Earnhardt Jr. - has qualified for The Chase. Anything can happen in the last 10 races to derail a driver's pursuit for the Cup, but just for fun, here's a quick breakdown of the drivers and where they should probably finish after the last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Top Guns - Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Kurt Busch
These drivers' names always come up in the debate about who is racing's finest driver, and rightly so. These drivers are all former champions. Besides having superior driving ability and being on great teams, there's an extra element that separates them from the pack. Stewart, Johnson, Gordon and Busch all possess supreme confidence in their ability and have a certain moxie that enables them to be the best out there. It's not to say other drivers don't have this same trait, but these drivers have the hardware to back it up. They stay cool under pressure and rise to the occasion when the race is on the line.
The Happy-To-Be-Here Club - Clint Boyer, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex, Jr.
Not to take anything away from these drivers. They have all had great seasons so far, but I don't think they have what it takes to be a champion this season. These drivers are all capable of stringing together a few good races, but over the course of 10 races, they don't have what it takes to compete with the big boys.
Could give the favorites a scare - Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin
These drivers possess the top skill and backing from superior teams like the "top guns", but I don't think this will be the year for any of them. Kenseth is a former champion, while Hamlin and Edwards have shown this year and in the past they can contend with the best and win races. However, for Kenseth, he just doesn't give off that championship vibe like when he won in 2003. While Hamlin and Edwards will both contend for the championship in the years to come, this season is just too soon for either of them.
The Top Guns - Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Kurt Busch
These drivers' names always come up in the debate about who is racing's finest driver, and rightly so. These drivers are all former champions. Besides having superior driving ability and being on great teams, there's an extra element that separates them from the pack. Stewart, Johnson, Gordon and Busch all possess supreme confidence in their ability and have a certain moxie that enables them to be the best out there. It's not to say other drivers don't have this same trait, but these drivers have the hardware to back it up. They stay cool under pressure and rise to the occasion when the race is on the line.
The Happy-To-Be-Here Club - Clint Boyer, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex, Jr.
Not to take anything away from these drivers. They have all had great seasons so far, but I don't think they have what it takes to be a champion this season. These drivers are all capable of stringing together a few good races, but over the course of 10 races, they don't have what it takes to compete with the big boys.
Could give the favorites a scare - Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin
These drivers possess the top skill and backing from superior teams like the "top guns", but I don't think this will be the year for any of them. Kenseth is a former champion, while Hamlin and Edwards have shown this year and in the past they can contend with the best and win races. However, for Kenseth, he just doesn't give off that championship vibe like when he won in 2003. While Hamlin and Edwards will both contend for the championship in the years to come, this season is just too soon for either of them.
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