| 1 |
2 |
 |
Kurt Busch |
If he finishes eighth or better in each of the remaining 34 races, he will win the title, no matter what Dale Jarrett does. Ok, we made that up. |
| 2 |
3 |
 |
Jimmie Johnson |
He was the only Chevrolet on the lead lap at Rockingham. One Chevrolet on the lead lap?! One bleeping Chevrolet?! Wait, you can’t say that on the air. Don’t worry, no one’s listening. |
| 3 |
11 |
 |
Dale Jarrett |
In media news, “Special Delivery” was used 114 times in newspapers all across America, nearly breaking the national record, when “Houston, you have a problem” was used 116 times on May 1, 1996, the day the Oilers moved their NFL franchise to Nashville. |
| 4 |
7 |
 |
Mark Martin |
With seven straight top-10 finishes dating back to last year, the old Mark Martin is back. Wait, he is old. |
| 5 |
1 |
 |
Tony Stewart |
At ninth in the points, he’s still in better shape than he was in 2002. Probably due to his new exercise regimen. |
| 6 |
7 |
 |
Jeff Gordon |
He irritated Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a late-race scrape. And an early-race scrape. No report available on any mid-race scrape. Ask Jerry Nadeau for that one. |
| 7 |
12 |
 |
Ricky Rudd |
Already has two straight top-15 finishes. A stat that shows how far this team has come: The Wood Brothers had back-to-back top-15 finishes just seven times from 1999 to 2002. |
| 8 |
4 |
 |
Sterling Marlin |
The water pump failed on his Dodge, robbing the engine of all the water it had collected due to Rockingham’s rain. |
| 9 |
17 |
 |
Matt Kenseth |
He had the top finishing yellow car at Rockingham, which is no small feat. |
| 10 |
14 |
 |
Ryan Newman |
He said that Jeremy Mayfield helped block him in the pits. Is that 93 octane you’re smelling, Ryan? |
| 11 |
18 |
 |
Jeff Burton |
His losing streak – which now stands at 42 races -- will end before mid-season. |
| 12 |
13 |
 |
Bobby Labonte |
He lost a lap due to a cut tire, had to pit late in the event for fuel, and still finished 16th. That’s impressive. |
| 13 |
20 |
 |
Jamie McMurray |
Jack Sprague didn’t give him much of a fight for top rookie on Sunday. |
| 14 |
19 |
 |
Elliott Sadler |
Set a Winston Cup record by passing 293 cars at Rockingham after being sent to the rear of the field not once, but twice. Of course, 112 of the passes were of Larry Foyt. |
| 15 |
6 |
 |
Kevin Harvick |
Painfully, his 25th-place was RCR'S top effort. |
| 16 |
5 |
 |
Michael Waltrip |
Yep. |
| 17 |
9 |
 |
Robby Gordon |
His car wouldn’t turn. Well, it did, but not very well. |
| 18 |
24 |
 |
Rusty Wallace |
Ricky Rudd went two years (1998-2001) and 88 races without winning. Mark Martin went two years and 73 races (2000-2002) without winning. Wallace, at 64 races, is not far behind. |
| 19 |
25 |
 |
Ricky Craven |
He hasn’t had a bad finish at Rockingham since 1999. He hasn’t had a good finish at Vegas since well, ever. |
| 20 |
NR |
 |
Johnny Benson |
He’ll be fighting Craven for the “top Pontiac” title. |
| 21 |
NR |
 |
Dave Blaney |
He hung in there tough after scoring the Bud Pole. However, he was not the highest finishing yellow car. |
| 22 |
10 |
 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
All three Wallaces are ahead of him in the points, including Mike, who didn’t even start the Winston Cup event at Rockingham. |
| 23 |
16 |
 |
Jeremy Mayfield |
He had the quote of the week: “All of a sudden, Junior wrecked again.” |
| 24 |
21 |
 |
Bill Elliott |
Has scored two straight top-35 finishes, but he’s 36th in points. Man, this points system is tough. |
| 25 |
NR |
 |
Greg Biffle |
Hasn’t set the world on fire yet, but has stayed out of trouble, which is half the battle for rookies. |
