The fifth race of the 2009 season is in the books and the new owners points begin at Martinsville. So how have the preseason picks turned out so far?
Jeff Gordon – Number 1 heading into week six, after a less than stellar 2008 many folks thought he was on his way down. Not Yet kids.
Kurt Bush – Number 2, after moving to Penske, this is his best start yet.
Kasey Kahne – After a couple of hot years, his performance the last two seasons was disappointing at best. With a strong start he’s currently in 6th.
Tony Stewart – After leaving JGR for a virtual no name team, he was expected to have a slow start. He’s proved a lot of folks wrong as he sits in 7th.
David Reutimann – Even with a strong late season surge in 2008, his chances of a full time ride this year was in doubt. He leads the MWR crew at 11th
Marcos Ambrose – Not considered to be a strong runner, Marcos had a top 10 at Bristol and stands 24th. Not a good place for the veterans, but for a new team it’s outstanding.
A.J. Almendinger – Running a car that is not fully sponsored, and still not slated for the entire season, A.J. is sitting 16th.
Dale Earnhardt Jr – Nascar’s most popular driver missed the mark last year, but he and his fans had high hopes for 2008, He’s 19th and struggling to stay in the top 20.
Joey Logano – The rookie hot shot picked to replace Tony Stewart in the Home Depot Chevy at JGR is off to a less than stellar start as he sits 34th and on the verge of being a go or go homer.
Ryan Newman – The Rocketman started on the outside of the front row at Bristol and hanging in there for a 7th place finish, but car trouble early in the season leave him in 27th.
Mark Martin – Mr. #2 was a solid threat with Jack Roush, moved from DEI to Hendrick in the hunt for that elusive title, after 5 races he sit’s a disappointing 31st.
As the teams ready for Martinsville the owners points accumulated THIS year begin to count, so who is ahead and who is behind.
Tony Stewart – Although he had the Past Champions Provisional to fall back on, he sits 7th.
A.J.Almendinger – Started the season with the 45 points at 41st, this go or go homer is now 16th.
Robby Gordon – was 34th from 2008, and now sits 30th
Mark Martin – had 21st place points from 2008, now sits in 31st
Sam Hornish Jr.- used the Bill Davis points to start the season is in at 32nd.
John Andretti – Using the 01 points from last year squeaks in at 33rd.
Joey Logano- Had Tony Stewarts 9th place points to get him started, now sits 34th
David Gilliland – Dumped by Yates, he hooked up with startup team of Kevin Buckler, he goes to Martinsville 35th in owners points.
Scott Speed – started the season with the locked in 35th in points, is now on the outside at 36th.
Aric Almirola – Swapped points with the 42 to start with 25th, is outside at 37th.
Paul Menard – with a new team that used the Yates points from the 38 team at 28th, now sits 38th.
Travis Kvapil – finished 2008 23rd in points, but after his points were given to the Hall of fame team, he was left outside to start the year. He is outside at 39th.
Dave Blaney -Finished 31st with Bill Davis in 2008, moved to start up team of Phil Parsons, the team sits 40th.
