1. Kyle Busch (10/1)
Shrub has the home track advantage and has posted two consecutive tops 5s. More importantly, 2006's "worst of the best" owes his girlfriend more face time on national television so he can call her by her right name.
2. Matt Kenseth (8/1)
He's coming off a win in California, has posted two wins in the City of Sin and has the Roush advantage. He's also led the most laps here ... but this is a brand new track and he was never better than 14th in testing. Surely, he'd like to add to the 15 extra bonus points he's banked against the pre-season penalty.
3. Jimmie Johnson (7/1)
Defending series champion and defending race champion hasn't had a great showing so far this season. He sits 15th in the standings with a best starting position of 21st. Will 2007 prove to be as hard on its reigning champion as 2006 was?
4. Kevin Harvick (10/1)
NASCAR inspectors have yet to detect the magnet hiding in the #29 chassis that draws it to victory lane ... until they do, he's bound for a few more visits.
5. Tony Stewart (6/1)
He thinks the new banking at LVMS has made the track too fast for stock cars. More likely it's improved aerodynamics resulting from his new physique, which he's not going to maintain for long if he keeps eating all those Banquet pot pies. Maybe Jared will help keep him on the straight and narrow.
6. Mark Martin (30/1)
What's up with those odds? The points leader and winner of the inaugural Cup event at LMVS should be a favorite. He has the most top 5s, along with Stewart, and the most top 10s of all drivers. But even a win Sunday and continued lead won't change his mind about running a full season.
Wildcard. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8/1)
Despite his season-opening back-to-back DNFs, the Mayor of Whiskey River's odds are as good as Kenseth's. And those are better than his odds of getting 51% ownership of DEI right now. But right now, the key number is 35. Last year's Chaser--currently 40th in the standings--has the luxury of a guaranteed starting position for only 3 more weeks.
Longshot. Brian Vickers (100/1)The red bull may have only qualified for one out of two races this season, but when he did, BV posted a top 10 finish. He's full of energy this season and had already proven he's willing to move anyone out of his way for the win.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Oh, TGOM. I loved 1-6, but those last two threw me for a loop. ;)
Dale Jr doesn't exactly have a great record at Vegas so I'm not feeling too good about even letting him be a wildcard. (Plus, last time I was at Vegas he wrecked on the first lap and I have every intention of being just as bad luck for him this time. Haha. Just kidding. Well, sort of. Haha.)
And poor BV! He's not the first, nor is he the last, to move people out of the way for a win. But yay for him getting called the longshot. ;) I'm going to put money on him to win the pole and the race. I don't really think he will, but the odds are going to be so against him that if he does, I'm going to make a pretty penny. ;)
PS - Yay for Kyle being ranked first! I have yet to see him win in person and I'm getting IMPATIENT!
go mark martin--my family always roots for you, no matter if you're going for the chase or not. you are a true gentleman, and will always be #1 in our hearts
Hey! TGOM,
I was going through withdrawals.
It's great that you're doing Power Rankings; especially now that Ryan Smithson is no longer writing Rankings on NASCAR.com. Smithson is a misogynistic jerk, but Dude is funny.
BC
glad to hear some of the nascar guys are going to jump into the usac sprint cars while in vegas.
that will be fun.
good luck J.J.
sure be cool if jr crashes early again
give him something else to whine about
i'll keep my money on the hendrick drivers
Where's is Jeff Gordons Name?? He is still the Best driver there is in Nascar! He will win this year.
Dont count out Jeff Gordon. I think hes going to be A major contender in every aspect of Nascar this year. So keep your eye on the 24.
I loved the power rankings and completely agree w/ Jr as the wildcard. Just to remind everyone the last 3 times Jr has had 2 DNFs in a row he has won 2 races and got a 6th place finish on his following race after the DNFs (does that even make sense?)
Love the Tony comments!! LOL!! He has lost weight, huh?
I have a soft spot for Junior, so I hope he at least finishes in Vegas.
I think Harvick will win it...
Your right, Ryan Smithson is a misogynist. And a jerk. But he wasn't funny. At All!
Um, exactly why do you include vickers in 10th ????
So glad to hear 5 of 7 Toyotas NEVER made the race, and the 2 that did, ended awful,,,sounds like a typical TOYOTA>>
Awesome TGOM! Way better than Nascar.com. Shrubs was my fave.
Say what you will, I enjoyed Smithson's sense of humor and find new Power Rankings boring!!