Here's a look at the Chasers going into the race this weekend at Kansas Speedway(stats provided by NASCAR):
1 - Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford) 5390 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Six wins, 13 top fives, 21 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.6
• Led 16 races for 782 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 90.2
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 17.0
• Finished 37th last season
2 - Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) 5380 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Four wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 11.8
• Led 22 races for 1,175 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 115.6
• One top five, four top 10s; two poles
• Average finish of 12.0
• Finished third last season
3 - Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford) 5380 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Two wins, 10 top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.3
• Led 14 races for 428 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 118.5
• One win, three top fives
• Average finish of 11.0
• Won last season's Kansas race
4 - Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) 5308 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, five top fives, 14 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.1
• Led 10 races for 74 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 70.4
• One top five
• Average finish of 19.6
• Finished 36th last season
5 - Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)
5289 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Six top fives, 14 top 10s
• Average finish of 13.2
• Led six races for 169 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 83.3
• Two top 10s
• Average finish of 16.1
• Finished sixth last season
6 - Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) 5284 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, four top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 15.2
• Led five races for 152 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 106.5
• One top five, two top 10s
• Average finish of 5.5
• Finished second last season
7 - Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota) 5277 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Nine top fives, 14 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.1
• Led 12 races for 556 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 108.7
• One win, three top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 11.1
• Finished 39th last season
8 - Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet) 5272 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Nine top fives, 13 top 10s
• Average finish of 14.8
• Led 15 races for 309 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 98.3
• Two wins, four top fives, five top 10s
• Average finish of 10.6
• Finished fifth last season
9 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet) 5261 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, nine top fives, 14 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.5
• Led 19 races for 875 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 82.0
• Four top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 17.1
• Finished 10th last season
10 - Matt Kenseth (No. 14 DEWALT Ford) 5223 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Seven top fives, 16 top 10s
• Average finish of 16.4
• Led 14 races for 340 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 93.2
• One top five, two top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 22.1
• Finished 35th last season
11 - Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota) 5197 points, 2008 Rundown:
• One win, nine top fives, 15 top 10s
• Average finish of 15.9
• Led 12 races for 700 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 73.7
• Average finish of 26.3 in three races
• Finished 29th last season
12 - Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota) 5180 points, 2008 Rundown:
• Eight wins, 15 top fives, 17 top 10s
• Average finish of 12.0
• Led 20 races for 1,636 laps
Kansas Speedway Outlook:
• Driver Rating of 80.0
• One top 10
• Average finish of 26.5
• Finished 41st last season
Here's the NASCAR Newscast: Chase Race 3 Kansas Preview:
Hhhhmmm.... Biffle has won the first two Chase races. He won here last year. Need I say more? Yup, that's my pick to win this weekend. Who are you think will win?
I am hoping my fellow, Cousin Carl, will be at his best, and win.
Posted by MsBoogity September 26, 2008 09:48 AM
Just an FYI, before the Chase started, it was said that Kansas was one of the tracks where the Goodyear tires were never tested. Cross your fingers for a good race.
I think it will be very interesting to see how Tony, Kyle, and Carl handle Kansas. I also find it very interesting that unless we talk about JR on this blog, we don't get many participants. ?????????????? Tell us your thoughts, people.
Posted by MsBoogity September 27, 2008 02:39 PM
JRs popularity numbers are better than the next 3 or 4 drivers combined.
justracethecar
Posted by justracethecar September 28, 2008 07:48 AM
A great race, right to the end. Anybody know what was wrong with JR with the towel on his face and refusing to speak with TV people? I know the car was hard to handle, but something is up with him and no communication with his fans.
Jennifer is the newsroom
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assistant to the editor for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. She is married, lives in Pownal with her husband and son, and has been following NASCAR for many years.
About this blog:
I am hopeful that this will be a place where people can air their two cents' worth about a race, catch up on the gossip and share their opinions on the rules and regulations of NASCAR. I have always felt that there has been a need for such a place in Maine and that this blog helps to fill the void.