Editors’ Note: Tony Lumbis is on vacation this week, so Tommy Thompson takes his place on the Rookie Report this week.
Rookies in the Starting Lineup for the 3M Performance 400: David Reutimann (12th), David Ragan (25th), Juan Pablo Montoya (26th) and Paul Menard (38th)
Unofficial Finishing Positions: David Ragan (18th), David Reutimann (23rd), Juan Pablo Montoya (26th), Paul Menard (39th)
Rookie of the Race: David Ragan: The Roush-Fenway Racing driver continues to show steady improvement as he put in a solid Top 20 performance at the super-fast MIS. Ragan had competed in the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway in June 2007 in his only other Cup start at the track.
Tommy's Take: Not a spectacular run by Ragan but steadfast and solid, nonetheless. This is the kind of races that the young driver needs to gain confidence, as well as convince Jack Roush that he is worth sticking with as his career progresses.
Rocky Rookie Performance: Let's give it to Juan Pablo Montoya, though he did finish ahead of fellow Raybestos Rookie of the Year competitor Paul Menard. Montoya spun inexplicably on lap 15 bringing out a caution — the first for an on-track incident. Though the error also caused Chad McCumbee (filling in for the injured Kyle Petty) and Joe Nemechek to spin, the Raybestos Rookie of the Year point leader did an admirable job of keeping his car off the wall and the fenders in tact. However, in absence of any other rookies being involved in any significant snafu's…Juan Pablo is this week's “winner”.
Tommy's Note: Though the Columbian wins the Rocky Performance of the week award, Kevin Harvick continues to be the horses behind for his continuing sarcastic verbal lambasting of Montoya after learning from his crew that the Ganassi driver was responsible for the caution. Harvick's apparent displeasure with the Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate's driving came to the forefront at Watkins Glen last week when the Childress driver was collected-up in an accident by Montoya — an accident that was not necessarily of his doing.
Who Wasn't There: Red Bull rookie, and open-wheel convert A.J. Allmendinger again missed the race on qualifying time. To date, Allmendinger has competed in only eight of the 23 races that he has attempted.
Rookie Quote of the Week: “The race was just a little crazy there at the end. Everybody was driving hard trying to get the last few spots and trying to get this thing finished so they can get back home. We've all had a long, boring weekend and we were ready to get it in. I'm sure the excitement at Bristol will far make up for it." -David Ragan
Unofficial Raybestos Rookie standings:
Unavailable at press time
Next Up: The unpredictable half-mile bullring at Bristol, Tennessee will play host to the Raybestos rookies. The track is sure to confound NASCAR's rookie class. The contrast between Bristol Motor Speedway and the wide multi-grooved MIS is startling. Rookie mistakes will not be forgiven as easily at Bristol, making it a real test of which one of the freshmen can exhibit the most patience.
You Make The Pick:
Tommy's Pick for Next Week's Top Finishing Rookie: Bristol is a "crap shoot," but I will take David Reutimann as my pick. The young driver seems well disciplined and able to get it done. His biggest hurdle will be having to qualify for the race on time.
| Event | Track | Tony’s Pick | Finish | Reader’s Pick | Finish | Top Finishing Rookie | Finish |
| Subway Fresh Fit 500 | Phoenix | David Ragan | 41st | —- | —- | Paul Menard | 25th |
| Aaron’s 499 | Talladega | David Reutimann | 32nd | —- | —- | David Ragan | 17th |
| Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 | Richmond | Paul Menard | 16th | Juan Pablo Montoya | 26th | Paul Menard | 16th |
| Dodge Avenger 500 | Darlington | Juan Pablo Montoya | 23rd | Paul Menard | 31st | Juan Pablo Montoya | 23rd |
| Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte | Juan Pablo Montoya | 28th | No Pick | DNS | Juan Pablo Montoya | 28th |
| Autism Speaks 400 | Dover | David Ragan | 14th | David Ragan | 14th | David Ragan | 14th |
| Pocono 500 | Pocono | A.J. Allmendinger | 39th | David Ragan | 26th | Juan Pablo Montoya | 20th |
| Citizens Bank 400 | Michigan | David Ragan | 21st | David Ragan | 21st | Paul Menard | 12th |
| Toyota / Save Mart 350 | Infineon | Juan Pablo Montoya | 1st | Juan Pablo Montoya | 1st | Juan Pablo Montoya | 1st |
| Lenox Industrial Tools 300 | New Hampshire | Paul Menard | 39th | David Reutimann | 38th | David Ragan | 15th |
| Pepsi 400 | Daytona | David Reutimann | 26th | David Ragan | 12th | David Ragan | 12th |
| USG Sheetrock 400 | Chicagoland | Paul Menard | 42nd | David Ragan | 25th | Juan Pablo Montoya | 15th |
| Allstate 400 at the Brickyard | Indianapolis | Juan Pablo Montoya | 2nd | Juan Pablo Montoya | 2nd | Juan Pablo Montoya | 2nd |
| Pennsylvania 500 | Pocono | David Ragan | 33rd | Juan Pablo Montoya | 16th | Juan Pablo Montoya | 16th |
| Centurion Boats At The Glen | Watkins Glen | Juan Pablo Montoya | 39th | Juan Pablo Montoya | 39th | Ron Fellows | 4th |
| 3M Performance 500 | Michigan | David Reutimann | 23rd | David Ragan | 18th | David Ragan | 18th |
Season Score : Tony 5, Readers 6.
This Weekend on the Frontstretch:
Nationwide Breakdown: History 300
Mirror Driving: Correcting Mistakes, Missing Charlotte And Dramatic Returns
Charlotte’s Four Burning Questions: Translating Success And McMurray’s Time To Shine
Frontstretch Foto Funnies: Cleaning Out The Vintage Vault
Brendan Gaughan Driver Diary: Race Day, Sharks, And A Fast Fix
That Sound You Heard? Hall Of Fame Standards Dropping A Notch
IndyCar In-Depth: Indianapolis 500
Formula 1 Friday: Two Questions
Voices From the Cheapseats: Discussing The Need For Diversity’
Nuts for Nationwide: Jack Ingram’s Moment To Shine
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