Who Are Your Top Five Drivers?

[FS Kurt]

Hey Frontstretch Readers--

Today my column discussed who the top five drivers are in NASCAR today, as part of a three-part series listing the top 15. You can read the articles here:

Top Five: http://www.frontstretch.com/ksmith/25371/
6th through 10th: http://www.frontstretch.com/ksmith/25193
11th through 15th: http://www.frontstretch.com/ksmith/24979

I'd like to know what you all think. I won't give away who I ranked number one, but it shouldn't be a surprise to a lot of people.

Logon and share your opinion on who you think the best ones are out there and why. Maybe I'll learn something. 

[DougS]

#1 Jimmie Johnson 3 time current champ. Until someone can knock him off this is the only driver that should hold this position currently.

#2 Jeff Gordon his history cannot be under-stated but since the departure of Ray Everham it's obvious that Jeff had a mechanical superior advantage. ( Yes I know he won one right after Ray left, but hey even Barry Switzer is a superbowl cahmpion..thanks to Jimmy Johnson (the coach)).

#3 Tony Stewart Only Champion to win a Championship under both the traditional and chase format.

#4 Matt Kenseth last Winston Champion and has never missed the Chase.

#5 Kurt Busch First Chase Champion proven driver when the equipment is as fast as the driver.

#6 Mark Martin Mr. Consitancy. Will be a first ballot NASCAR HOF'er. True Mark has never been a champion in either series. But 38 wins in Cup, 48 wins in the NNS (NNS all time leader) will be hard marks for most drivers in Kurts top 15 to ever wish for.

#7 Carl Edwards: NNS Champion and huge potential. Carl is a Marketing Departments wet dream. As he struggles winless in both series this year it seems the always nice guy persona is fading as frustration mounts could loose the #7 spot if winless for the year.

#8 Jeff Burton: Consitant driver who has performed at two different organizations. Big picture racer, rarely shaken.

#9 Clint Bowyer: Current NNS Champion. Does not overdrive his equipment. Good potential.

#10 Kyle Busch: Hottest driver in the garage the last two years. No championships. Pure Talent. PR nightmare until he matures.

#11 Kevin Harvick : Past NNS Champion. Has performed above expectations filling the biggesst shoes left empty in the entire garage. Proves in his own equipment still has ths skills and desire to win. Has been hurt by sub-par equipment this season.

#12 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Two time NNS champion. When in superior mechanical equipment can be a threat week in and out. Has slumped since the release of the COT. This number will continue to fall if he's unable to handle the COT.

#13 Gregg Biffle: Past CWTS and NNS champion. Has flashes of brilliance but looses cool in equipment thats not quite right.

#14 Ryan Newman: Ryan has yet to put together a whole season. Almost a vistim of his success. There is potential to be a NSCS champion. Quite guy not a PR magnet.

#15 Kasey Khane: I put Kasey above Denny. Another driver that has shown flashes of brillance. Has beent hurt from an organization that's been in flux for the past three years and cannot put consistant equipment under him.


I know that's more than 5 if I had 5 more to go...

#16 Denny Hamlin: Benificiary of being brought up through the Joe Gibbs organization.
#17 Bobby Labonte
#18 Martin Truex Jr
#19 David Reutimann
#20 Brain Vickers

[Tyyrus]

1. Gordo

2. Johnson

3. Stewart

4. Martin

5. Kyle the Puke Busch

[Tonyfan14]

1. Gordon/Stewart
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Mark Martin
5. Kyle Busch

[smyler]

1) Jeff is still my favorite driver
2) Bobby Labonte
3) Jeff Burton
4) JJ
5) Joe Nemechek

These are my favorite guys even if some don't always win or even finish in top 10.  How can you not like Joe Nemechek? 

[PuglieseVT]

In my mind, any one of these guys could be Number 1 on any given day. So in no particular order:


1. Mark Martin

2. Tony Stewart

3. Jimmie Johnson

4. Kyle Busch

5. Jeff Gordon

And probably a dead heat between Robby Gordon/Greg Biffle/Juan Pablo Montoya.....I don't care what anybody says.

[flamehothead]

I know that's more than 5 if I had 5 more to go...

Doug S, I bet you were always in trouble in school LOL

[Busch Babe 899]

LOL

Well, in no particular order, also:

Tony Stewart
Jimmy Johnson
Jeff Gordon
Mark Martin
Carl Edwards

Yes, I firmly believe my 2 favs are solidly part of the top 5 in the series today, even IF Carl is currently still winless in Cup...he's also still in 5th position in the points. And the wins will come. Look at last season....he may not get most wins this year, but I think that helps keep him under the radar, so he can sneak up on the leaders. 

Oh, and aside from my own personal dislike of him the Shrub is not there because of his sheer lack of consistency...he's either winning or hitting the wall. When he learns to temper his temper, and focus even when things are bad, he'll move on up....I don't even put him in the top 10 right now. Won't be surprised if he misses the Chase this year.

[DougS]

Doug S, I bet you were always in trouble in school LOL

LMAO That's why I loved being an instructor in the Navy.

[Tyyrus]

I think I missed something Top 5 Drivers or Top 5 Favorite Drivers ?

Favorites:

(1) Mark Martin
(2) Jeff Burton
(3) Tony Stewart
(4) Matt Kenseth
(5) A.J. Allmendinger

P.S. Just a slight deviation from my original list lol !

[FS_Amy]

How can you not like Joe Nemechek? 

Easy...he's a butt.  But I digress.

Top five right now, IMO
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Kyle Busch

[Chris]

Top 5 (by talent) - in no order
JJ is still in the group
MM is a given... the old man has shown he can still get it done.
Kyle Busch... no doubting the kid is a wheel man... no matter if fans like him or not.
Stewart,.. has done inpressive with starting a new team, and also being nehind the wheel.
The fifth...  several could come in here.
As of late Montoya has shown he is becoming a good CUP driver.
Add in Gordon, nothing spectacular this year, but consistent
Might even throw in Vickers.  He's sure had a heck of a run the last 7 or 8 races to put himself in the chase.  You don't do that on 'luck'

[Busch Babe 899]

Oh, and aside from my own personal dislike of him the Shrub is not there because of his sheer lack of consistency...he's either winning or hitting the wall. When he learns to temper his temper, and focus even when things are bad, he'll move on up....I don't even put him in the top 10 right now. Won't be surprised if he misses the Chase this year.

I KNEW I predicted that somewhere!!!

[Tyyrus]

You said it Girly !  The Scrub has been Scrubbed ! 

[Busch Babe 899]

Of course, NOW he's got nothing to lose...when most of the Chase guys will be points racing, at least for the next few races....oh well, I'm just happy Carl's starting towards the front on Sunday...hope he can stay there.