| 1 |
9 |
 |
Matt Kenseth |
My Big Fat Vegas Payoff ($365,875). With that kind of money, he can make his own bad movies. First up: My Big Rainy Atlanta Wedding. |
| 2 |
2 |
 |
Jimmie Johnson |
The real reason we didn’t see a Marlin-Johnson confrontation on TV? They couldn’t find a translator. |
| 3 |
5 |
 |
Tony Stewart |
He finished fifth despite a mid-race problem with his tire. Fortunately, some cops from Florida showed up and fixed the problem, no questions asked. |
| 4 |
1 |
 |
Kurt Busch |
He’s from Las Vegas, but he does not gamble. Trying to avoid a Skinner-Wallace accident while your car is not handling well is a gamble in itself. |
| 5 |
16 |
 |
Michael Waltrip |
There’s absolutely no truth to the rumor that he had a restrictor plate on his car at Las Vegas. |
| 6 |
8 |
 |
Sterling Marlin |
Usually after a race, he says: “Coors Light Dodge run good.” After Las Vegas, he said: “Lowe’s Chevrolet spun good.” |
| 7 |
10 |
 |
Ryan Newman |
He’s already up to 17th in points, which is pretty remarkable considering that he has zero top-five finishes. |
| 8 |
11 |
 |
Jeff Burton |
As his brother Ward enjoys saying: “That’s just what the doctor ordered.” |
| 9 |
12 |
 |
Bobby Labonte |
Surprise! It’s not going to rain in Atlanta! No, really! Sunny, 65 degrees! With that forecast, he’s the favorite at Atlanta – rain is about the only thing that slows him down there. |
| 10 |
6 |
 |
Jeff Gordon |
He’s going to have a Sesame Street paint scheme later this year that will appear on diecasts (not on track). It's a good thing it won't appear on-track -- Elmo would have been in some serious pain at Las Vegas. |
| 11 |
7 |
 |
Ricky Rudd |
Highlight of his week was visting nearby Nellis Air Force base. He didn’t take off on Sunday – he finished 18th, although he led a lap for the first time this year. |
| 12 |
3 |
 |
Dale Jarrett |
When he said, "You've got the same people doing stupid stuff,” he wasn't talking about his crash with Steve Park. He was referring to people dropping the 401k at the blackjack table. |
| 13 |
4 |
 |
Mark Martin |
That was his first last place finish in nearly three years. Only has one first place finish in nearly three years. |
| 14 |
15 |
 |
Kevin Harvick |
He missed the great wreck, so we missed the great quote. |
| 15 |
22 |
 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
He will appear on the FOX TV show Fastlane, which is about undercover Los Angeles cops who take down those who break the rules. Rusty Wallace guest stars as an informant – he says the LAPD will be ready come Talladega. |
| 16 |
20 |
 |
Johnny Benson |
His steady start has been the bright spot for the Pontiac camp. |
| 17 |
13 |
 |
Jamie McMurray |
He finished just ahead of Hideo Fukuyama. That ought to slow down the hype for 48 hours. |
| 18 |
14 |
 |
Elliott Sadler |
At least he and new teammate Dale Jarrett succeed and struggle at the same time. Sadler was already in the garage by the time Jarrett came in after his tangle with Steve Park. “He (Park) almost got into me too before we had our problems,” Sadler said. |
| 19 |
NR |
 |
Steve Park |
He gamely got into a Busch car for the first time since his 2001 accident, and finished in the top 10 in both series. He also finished in the top two in enraging fellow drivers. |
| 20 |
NR |
 |
Joe Nemechek |
He was brave to swap sheet metal with Kevin Harvick. That fact alone proves he is worthy of a spot in the rankings. |
| 21 |
18 |
 |
Rusty Wallace |
Had to pit under green for gas after his crew only gave him six gallons early in the race. That kind of gas mileage strategy might work, but only if Penske switches from Dodge to Toyota. |
| 22 |
17 |
 |
Robby Gordon |
The pre-race show showed him falling to earth in a dune buggy. He is doing the same in his Winston Cup car. |
| 23 |
19 |
 |
Ricky Craven |
He decided to drop by a casino. Conveniently, one was located on the back of Larry Foyt's Dodge. |
| 24 |
24 |
 |
Bill Elliott |
He’s 31st in points, and there’s still six Dodges behind him in the standings. Kyle Petty, you’re next! |
| 25 |
NR |
 |
Casey Mears |
Rallied to beat Jimmy Spencer in the closing laps. And you thought the Marlin-Johnson battle was tense. |
