411 Raceday Special Editon: May 2007 Report Card
Posted by Greg Kentz on 06.02.2007
Here the scoop on NASCAR's top teams...
May Report Card
00 David Reutimann: D
Made two of the three points events in May, but its not like either event was affected by David's participation. So we'll give him and D, and congratulate him on being the best car for a struggling organization.
01 Mark Martin: B
Mark handled all the work for the 01 team in May, and had himself another solid month. While Mark did fall off the incredible pace he started the season with, he did manage three solid finishes in the points races, as well as 3rd in the All-Star challenge. Mark rose three spots over the month to finish May in 14th in the overall standings. The amazing thing is that he's ahead of 19 teams that have run every race this year and have a three start advantage over Martin. It makes me think that despite how impressive some of the younger drivers look sometimes, they have a long way to go before they can envision themselves making the Chase someday and having a real shot at winning it. That means you Mr.___________________________(Copy and paste name from list below.)
Truex had a month very similar to Mark Martin's, after a disappointing 28th finish at Richmond. Martin turned in three straight weekends of solid runs. Truex improved his overall position in the standings from 18th to 16th, and at the regular season's halfway point he has a possibility of making the Chase at year's end. When you consider that one of the four drivers he needs to pass to make the chase is Mark Martin, who still claims he's not running a full season, the Chase is a very real possibility.
2 Kurt Busch: B
Kurt ran into some trouble at Charlotte, and his brother ran into him during the all-star race. Misfortune aside Kurt had a solid month overall, moving up to 9th overall in the points standing, and showing he has a car that can win a race or two at some point this season. Kurt gives Roger Penske and his #2 team as good a chance to win a championship as any team not featuring Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson. I feel Kurt is practically a lock to make the chase as long as he avoids bad luck.
5 Kyle Busch: C
Kyle has probably become less of a lock than his brother, despite having a better-equipped team. After a 2nd place finish at Richmond boosted Kyle to 6th in points, Kyle has been near the back of the pack when the checkered flag started waving. Kyle crashed into, and wrecked out, his brother during the non-point All-Star Challenge. Busch sandwiched that debacle with 30th and 37th place finishes, dropping him from that 6th place overall to 11th overall. (Would be 12th if not for the harsh penalty Dale Jr. received for illegal parts before Darlington.)
6 David Ragan: D
While David hasn't been downright terrible, he has been pretty bad. Three poor finishes in a row dropped David to 28th overall in points. While not totally unexpected for a rookie to struggle in his first season in the elite series, anything even close to 30th overall is unacceptable for a team from one of NASCAR's premiere organizations. Three Rousch cars sit in the Chase cutoff, so David needs to get more out of what the team gives him.
07 Clint Bowyer: B
I guess I'm back to being high on this team. The month of May brought Bowyer his first career pole and two more top ten finishes to move from 11th after April to 10th overall currently. Bowyer has done a fine job of avoiding the poor finishes that can kill a season, but need to finish more races near the front. Bowyer has 5 top tens and no top fives in his 12 starts this season, and if he can't finish in the top five on occasion then he'll become inconsequential once the Chase starts, whether he makes it or not. Maybe I'm not as high on these guys as I thought I was, still being in the top ten in points all season long is a success for this team, so the B is well deserved.
7 Robby Gordon: D-
After a promising start to the2007 season, Gordon has plummeted down the overall points board landing back in 33rd overall after Lowe's. What more can you say, Robby should be safe from falling below the top 35 cutoff, but expecting much more than that would be silly. Actually, you can probably count on Robby turning a few heads when we hit the road races this summer; he's usually good for bumping somebody and putting them in a foul mood.
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr: C
Dale's been racing well, and is a very likely contender to make the chase. Despite falling out of the top 12 due to penalties, Dale is as strong a non-Hendrick contender as NASCAR has to offer. You figure Dale is usually good for 2-3 wins a season, if he can save them for the end of the year, and still get in the Chase, then 2007 may be Jr's year. Then again, he's on a lame duck team, and has not been a factor in the Chase before, so why would this year be different when his cars aren't as good as the ones he's been given in the past? For now, Junior is not in the Chase, but is running well, so we'll call it a C and move on.
9 Kasey Kahne: F
Another month has passed and Kasey still gets an F. Not only that, but the other F earning Casey just took a checkered flag and left this guy as the undisputed disappointing Kasey of the year. Kahne is still mired way back in the low 30's overall, and something has to give. After the beginning of the year, it could be said maybe the absence of crew chief Kenny Francis was to blame, or perhaps bad luck since the poor finishes at California and Las Vegas weren't really Kasey's fault, but at this point I'd have to say its Kasey putting too much pressure on himself. I think Kahne needs to realize that he absolutely CANNOT make the Chase this season, but also realize that this doesn't mean the season is lost. Kasey needs to focus on getting his COT program on point so he can contend right out of the gate next year. Oh yeah, and Kasey can still win three or four races between now and Homestead and make himself a big pile of money.
10 Scott Riggs: F-
Same as always, has the equipment and talent to win races, but can't seem to put it together. Actually he can't seem to do anything, and was forced to miss his first race of the year, when he failed to qualify for the Darlington event. Scott is 105 points behind Johnny Sauter for the 35th spot overall, and he can't afford to miss any more races.
11 Denny Hamlin: A-
The tremendous season continues for Denny, he's had a dominant car at several races, and is a lock to make the Chase. Hamlin is fourth overall in points, but that doesn't really matter because of the points reset at the beginning of the Chase. What does matter is that Denny still hasn't won a race, and that's why he's got a minus behind his mark. The 11 team needs to step it up and take one of these races, and maybe stop complaining when they don't. Crew chief Mike Ford's comments that there's no glory in a fuel mileage victory came off as petty and bitter. Just win a race, and then you can criticize how the other guys win theirs.
12 Ryan Newman: C-
What a difference a day makes, entering the Coca-Cola 600 Newman was on the pole, coming off three straight top tens, and sitting in 13th overall, just outside the Chase cutoff. Ryan also was about to get a B for a grade after months of me giving him D's. Unfortunately for Newman, Charlotte ended early and he finished 39th, dropping 5 spots in the points standings to 18th. Overall, June was a good month for Ryan, who moved from 24th to 18th in the standings. For the season, Newman is still a little below where he should be, so C- it is.
13 Joe Nemechek: C+
Joe's done a real nice job this season taking a new car and making it a top 35 team. Joe is going to be in the 25-35 range every season in overall points. Currently Joe is 30th, so he right where he's expected. The plus comes in because he did it with a new program. Although, there a chance Joe is going to end up in the same position next season, if team owner Bobby Ginn can get a big enough pile of money together to get Junior on board with Ginn Racing, then Junior will be given a top 35 car to guarantee him a starting spot every week. That means old Joe might get the boot again, unless they move our next driver…
14 Sterling Marlin: C
Sterling has the same expectations as I have for Joe, and he's right there in 27th overall. So C it is, and I have nothing interesting to say about this team.
16 Greg Biffle: D
Greg fell back to 19th in the overall standings after being scored last at Charlotte. This continues Greg's mediocre season, where he's usually not bad, just never very good. Biffle has just two top tens so far this season, and he continuously struggles to get to the front of races. Three of Greg's Rousch-Fenway teammates are in position to make the Chase, so you can't blame his equipment. Although disappointing so far, there's still 12 races left to get into the top twelve, so all is not lost. If the Biff can put together 3 or 4 top 15's in a row, then he'll be right there come the Chase. Once we get there Biffle, like Earnhardt earlier, has shown in the past he can win two of three races and really give himself a shot at the overall title. That's kind of getting ahead of ourselves, however. First let's go for a top ten at Dover, and then we'll talk.
17 Matt Kenseth: A+
Can you be any better than Matt Kenseth? Matt is an absolute machine that runs near the front and contends every week. Kenseth will be one of the guys we're still talking about when we get down to 2 or 3 races to go, and we're trying to see who's going to take it all. I can't say enough good things about this team, so I'll just stop after just one more. Robbie Reiser and the 17 pit crew are the best in all of NASCAR and give Matt positions week after week, and this team is set to fight it out at Homestead and try and win a second title. Ok, so that was two things.
18 JJ Yeley: B+
I've got to say, I'm really enjoying Yeley so far this year. Entering the season, I hoped second year guys Bowyer, Yeley, and Truex Jr would step up and be contenders, and I am very happy to report that all three indeed are. (I wished the same for Sorenson too, but no such luck) Yeley made the fuel gamble at Charlotte, and the youngster finished a career best second in the Coca-Cola 600. That puts Yeley 15th in points halfway through the regular season, so thinking about making the Chase is so far fetched anymore. Winning the Chase or even a race for that matter seems like much longer odds.
19 Elliott Sadler: D
Elliott struggled through the month of May, falling down the overall points board 5 places, and finished the month in 20th place overall. Sadler's struggles are probably going to cost him a shot at making the Chase, because I don't believe his team is strong enough to run up front every week. Without several top tens over the next few weeks, Elliott is going to run out of time trying to climb back up the standings. Him finishing every week in the teens just won't get him there now that he's this far out. Although finishing in the teens seems like a distant memory for this squad after the month they just had.
20 Tony Stewart: A-
Tony gets an A- for the same reasons as teammate Denny Hamlin, he's been very good, is a lock to make the Chase, but he hasn't won a race yet. I think Tony may be forcing the issue a little, and to be fair he had the race at Charlotte won before he decided to play it safe and take some fuel late. I hated that decision, and here's why: Tony is a LOCK to make the Chase, he's too good this year to think that he can hit a little bad luck and end up outside the top 12. So, go for the win, it doesn't matter if he finishes Richmond and the regular season in 1st overall or 11th, he's getting reseeded based on wins anyway. I do think Tony is close to breaking through, and I think Dover is a pretty good bet if he can carry his momentum over from last week. If not, then Tony may get back to working too hard at times, and he may not win until he gets to a track that changes his mental approach such as Infineon or the Brickyard. Once he does win however, he is a threat to knock out three or four straight, and what I said about Biffle and Earnhardt sneaking in the Chase then making a run during the Chase with a few wins, that goes tenfold for this guy.
22 Dave Blaney: D+
Dave is Toyota's top dog in points, and looks like the only team that Toyota has a chance at getting into the top 35 this season. That said, it don't look too good. Blaney is still 98 points behind Johnny Sauter for that final spot in the top 35, and not only is he racing Sauter, but Scott Riggs is just 7 points back, so he needs to be watched as well. When on the track Blaney is mediocre at best, and has yet to crack the top ten in 11 races so far this season.
24 Jeff Gordon: A+
I couldn't possibly expect any more from Jeff and the 24 crew. They have been great all season, and now hold a nice 132 lead over teammate Jimmie Johnson. Gordon also announced this month that he would not race if it would prevent him from being there for the birth of his first child. It was a classy move, and Jeff should be commended. On top of that, his fill-in driver is a pretty good one, as Mark Martin in a Hendrick car makes me excited. On the track he has been lights out, and really has to be considered the favorite to win this year's points title. Also worth noting is Jeff along with Dale Jr provide me with endless entertainment, as their fans just hate each other so much, and their chat room arguments never cease to amuse me. Both sides argue that NASCAR is fixed to help the other, and swear they are always getting screwed, it's very good stuff.
25 Casey Mears: D+
Almost another F for the 25 team, but a gamble at Charlotte led to a victory for Casey, and now the 25 team has a little life in them. Although still a HUGE disappointment, this team can now breathe easy as they are safe from falling below the top 35 in points. Casey and company can focus on trying to win more races and getting his team ready to go, so he can attempt to make a Chase run next season.
26 Jamie McMurray: B+
McMurray continues to do well in 2007, and he is currently 12th overall and in position to make the Chase. Jamie is only there due to Earnhardt's penalty from Richmond, otherwise Jamie would be 13th place, 39 points outside the Chase. Regardless, Jamie has done very well this year, and is likely to make the Chase. Jamie is one of those guys that even if he makes the Chase he has no real shot at winning. The same can be said for anybody that's not Kenseth, Johnson, Stewart, or Gordon though, so Jamie shouldn't take it as an insult.
29 Kevin Harvick: B
2007 looked fantastic at the beginning for Kevin Harvick, and although he's 7th overall in points, he doesn't seem to be on quite the same level as the top guys. That shows when you see Harvick is 506 points behind Jeff Gordon, and Gordon just finished 41st at Charlotte. Harvick seems to have lost the edge he had early this season and late last year, the good thing for Harvick is that the Chase format will forgive his 500 point deficit. If he can find the drives he was showing earlier on this year, then Harvick can be a factor come September, or he could end up 500 points behind Gordon again at the end of the year. I still can't believe I rated him over Gordon at the beginning of the season. What the hell was I doing?
31 Jeff Burton: A
Burton has continued his success of 2006 through the first half of 2007. Jeff has been near the front in almost every race, and is only one of 3 guys to win a race that doesn't work for Rick Hendrick. Unfortunately for Jeff, he doesn't seem capable of running with Johnson and Gordon at moment, and needs to find that extra gear if he wants to compete for a points championship. Still, Jeff has been stellar behind the wheel, and really could have two wins if he so desired, as he easily could have moved Kyle Busch back at Bristol.
38 David Gilliland: C-
David has started to fade, and quite rapidly at that. Aside from winning Daytona's pole, and tying for the pole at Talladega, David really hasn't done anything, and is close to the cutoff in 34th place overall. David has a 150 cushion over Riggs and Blaney, so he's safe for now, but there are five starts before David gets back in the restrictor plate car, can he hold of them guys that long? I'd say there's a decent chance Dave gets bounced before the Pepsi 500. Then again, that means Scott Riggs and/or Dave Blaney would have to run well for a month straight, so maybe Gilliland is safe after all.
40,41,and 42 Chip Ginassi Racing: C+
David Stremme, Reed Sorenson, and Juan Montoya are all having the exact same year, they each run a few solid races, then they each tank one. This trio is currently ranked 21st, 22nd, and 24th (Stremme, Montoya, Sorenson) they all seem to be about that good, none are great (yet) but none are bad either. Ginassi's future is looking up though as eventually one of these three should step it up and become a contender, just probably not this year. It is neat that each of the three have taken a different path to the low 20's. Stremme started red-hot then cooled off, Montoya has been around 20th all season, and Sorenson struggled mightily early, and has only recently climbed back to where he should be.
43 Bobby Labonte: B-
Bobby started May in 20th overall, and improved that up to 17th at month's end. While still in contention, Bobby needs to make things happen sooner rather than later not that we're halfway through the regular season. 17th overall is not bad for Petty, but then again who'd have thunk Bobby wouldn't have Petty's best finish of the season. Honestly, this is team that has no shot at winning that I want to see make the Chase, that old Dodge should be running meaningful races in the fall, although I think that's probably not going to happen.
44 Dale Jarrett: F
The 2007 season has been a total failure thus far for the 44 team. Jarrett was brought in to be the face of the Toyota brand, and instead he has under-performed and now missed several races. The problem isn't that he just missed races, its that when on the track, he's been downright terrible. In fact, he's just 15 points of fellow Toyota driver Brian Vickers, although Vickers has only made six starts to Jarrett's 10. Hopefully what races Jarrett does make from here on out, he uses his time well and gets his team ready to go for next season.
45 Kyle Petty: C+
Great job by the 45 at Charlotte finishing third and jumping up 5 spots overall to 26th in the standings. Kyle had his best finish is nearly tens years in the Coca-Cola 600, and he is halfway to fulfilling my prediction from the March report card, of consecutive top ten finishes at some point in the summer. Make this happen Kyle! By the way, he was drinking an awful lot of soda last Sunday wasn't he? He seemed never so happy to help out the sponsors.
48 Jimmie Johnson: A+
Jimmie just keeps doing his thing, and had another stellar month behind the wheel. Jimmie Started off the month off May by winning at Richmond, Jimmie then came in 3rd at Darlington, and 10th at Charlotte, although he could have won that race with better pit stops, or perhaps gambling on fuel late in the race. Jimmie has been lights out all season, and will assume the points lead once the Chase begins. That puts Jimmie alongside Jeff Gordon as the favorites to win this year's championship.
55 Michael Waltrip: F
No jokes this month, just hoping to keep my points lead over Waltrip going through June. Actually I'm hoping this month we get Mikey back on track. How about this, in fact: Mikey gets a top 20 finish this month upcoming. I know I'm supposed to grade the year so far, but Mikey hasn't raced in months, so here's to the future.
66 Green, 70 Sauter, 88 Rudd, and 96 Raines: C
I just couldn't write about these guys at length, each is right about where you'd expect them to be in the overall standings. Sauter impressed during the Nextel Open and All-Star challenge. Otherwise these guys have just been there, nothing worth praising or criticizing here really.
83 Brian Vickers: B
A bold move, perhaps, but I think this team is running better than anyone could have expected. They struggle to make races for certain, but once they make it, it's been quite impressive. For all the struggles Toyota has had, you can't really say making only half the races is a huge surprise so they are only slightly below expectations in that regard. Taking two top tens, including a 5th place finish in the Coca-Cola 600, a race that Brian led 76 laps in, well that's way above what we really are expecting from any of the Toyota teams. It worth noting that if Brain average points per start were spread over the whole season he'd be 16th place just 82 points out of the Chase. Keep up the good work.
99 Carl Edwards: B
Carl kept his solid season going with a real nice month in May. Edwards finished no worse than 15, and rose up four spots during the month to 8th in the overall standings, just a single point behind Kevin Harvick in 7th. Edwards renewed success now has to make its way to victory lane, for this team to be considered a huge success. Still so far, so good with the 99 crew.
That's it for this month, I'll be back shortly with the review-preview. As always I am happy to receive any feedback you may have, if you send something along, be sure to point out which grades you thought were the least accurate. The e-mail is Downcannon@yahoo.com
