NASCAR Nextel Cup Report Cards- 3rd Quarter

Matt Kenseth- 4 wins, 13 top fives, 18 top tens, 0 poles

Matt Kenseth has yet to have a poor race as far as performance is concerned. If he doesn't finish well, it's usually a result of a mechanical failure or being involved in an accident. This appears to be Kenseth's best opportunity at becoming the Nextel Cup series' third active multiple champion.

A

Kevin Harvick- 4 wins, 12 top fives, 15 top tens, 1 pole

Arguably, Kevin Harvick has materialized as the top driver to beat in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the championship after winning his fourth race of the season at New Hampshire. Perceptibly, Kenseth will be Harvick's toughest opponent if all goes well for both drivers. Harvick has an opportunity to make NASCAR history by winning both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series championship in the same season. I don't foresee Harvick decelerating any time soon in either series.

Jimmie Johnson- 4 wins, 8 top fives, 18 top tens, 1 pole

After a disappointing start to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship at New Hampshire, the ultimate prize will be a little more arduous to claim than it was before. Johnson emerged as the Nextel Cup series favorite to win the 2006 championship after winning three of the first nine races of the season. Johnson has spent 21 weeks as the Nextel Cup series points leader, only to find himself currently chasing the likes of Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick. I wouldn't expect for Johnson and the 48 team to be down for very long.

Denny Hamlin- 2 wins, 5 top fives, 15 top tens, 3 poles

Hamlin's stats may not be as imposing as the stats of Kenseth or Harvick, but as a Nextel Cup rookie, he has immeasurably surpassed expectations. Hamlin became the first official NASCAR rookie to qualify for the ten race shootout. Carl Edwards qualified last year, but he wasn't considered a Nextel Cup rookie by NASCAR standards. Anyway, Hamlin's consistency has put him in a unique state of affairs where he not only can bring home the Rookie of the Year trophy, but the Nextel Cup Championship trophy as well.

A-

Jeff Gordon- 2 wins, 12 top fives, 14 top tens, 1 pole

Jeff Gordon has officially returned to championship contending form, even though he had a temporary flashback of how awful last season was at Richmond a couple of weeks ago. Gordon had a stout run at New Hampshire, and has some favorable tracks on the remaining Nextel Cup schedule.

Jeff Burton- 1win, 5 top fives, 17 top tens, 4 poles

Whenever Mark Martin retires, Jeff Burton should inherit the nickname Mr. Consistency. Burton has been a top ten contender at virtually every race this season, even the road courses, which has aided him in qualifying for his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. For the first time since 2001, Burton will finish in the top ten in the championship standings.

Kasey Kahne- 5 wins, 9 top fives, 12 top tens, 4 poles

Anytime a driver can notch five wins in a season, an A-grade of some sort shall be acknowledged. Even though Kahne's results have been patchy, and has excelled on a limited variety of tracks, he knows how to close the deal. Kahne may not be NASCAR's favorite to win the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, but he may end the season with the most wins.

Kyle Busch- 1 win, 9 top fives, 15 top tens, 1 pole

Despite a disappointing start to his first NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, Kyle Busch has been consistent in his sophomore season. The Nextel Cup championship is not out of reach for Busch, but he sure has a tall mountain to climb. However, Busch has established himself as one of NASCAR's brightest young stars.

Dale Earnhardt Jr- 1 win, 8 top fives, 12 top tens, 0 pole

Earnhardt Jr and the 8 team have improved in almost every component of their program, which is the primary reason why NASCAR's most trendy driver is back in the Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. Earnhardt Jr has yet to win on a 1.5-mile or 2-mile speedway in 2006, but that stat may be short lived as their intermediate program has really excelled in 2006.

Mark Martin- 0 win, 6 top fives, 12 top tens, 0 pole

By qualifying for his third NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship, Mark Martin finds himself in elite company. Other than Martin, only Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson have qualified for all three of NASCAR's ten-race championship shootouts. Martin's consistency should be applauded, and he will likely be rewarded with a victory before season's end.

B+

Tony Stewart- 2 wins, 11 top fives, 15 top tens, 0 pole

Many fans are still wondering how Tony Stewart missed the NASCAR Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. It's not as if he has had a terrible season. In fact, he has ran just as good as Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson at times. But while Johnson and Kenseth evaded bad finishes, Stewart and the 20-team seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time on several occasions. And the most memorable incident that may have sealed his fate was when he refused to let a faster lap car pass him at New Hampshire in July. Anyhow, Stewart is on the outside looking in, and all he has left to race for is wins, not points. That could be advantageous for the 20-team.

B

Greg Biffle- 1 win, 6 top fives, 13 top tens, 2 poles

A lot of analysts, including myself, predicted Greg Biffle to be the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion. Little did we know that Biffle's performance would drop off this much from a year ago. Biffle started the season running well, but he couldn't buy a break. But now his overall performance has waned.

Kurt Busch- 1 win, 6 top fives, 9 top tens, 5 poles

Kurt Busch's inaugural season as Rusty Wallace's replacement has not been as fruitful as anticipated. While his qualifying has been exceptional, their performance has been erratic at best. Around mid-summer, they finished 2nd at Pocono, and it appeared as if they were primed for a championship run. Now they are buried back in 14th position in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings.

Clint Bowyer- 0 win, 3 top fives, 8 top tens, 0 pole

Nextel Cup rookie Clint Bowyer has had a respectable season, but it pales in comparison to the rookie season that Denny Hamlin has enjoyed. Still, Bowyer and company have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, Bowyer has come close to winning on several occasions. He finished fourth at Indianapolis in August, and was running third at Michigan when his engine lost power.

Carl Edwards- 0 win, 9 top fives, 14 top tens, 0 pole

It seemed like yesterday when Edwards was the next big thing in NASCAR. He still may be, but his second full season in NASCAR Nextel Cup has been full of dissatisfaction.

B-

Ryan Newman- 0 win, 2 top fives, 7 top tens, 2 poles

It was apparent last season that Newman and the 12-team struggled with the Dodge Charger. This season, it has only become worse. Their best finish on a 1.5-mile or 2-mile speedway is 15th at Michigan.

Scott Riggs- 0 win, 1 top five, 7 top tens, 1 pole

After missing the season opening Daytona 500, Riggs' season hasn't been all that bad.

Reed Sorenson- 0 win, 1 top five, 5 top tens, 0 pole

The youngest driver on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit has improved as the season has progressed.

C+

Brian Vickers- 0 win, 4 top fives, 6 top tens, 0 pole

Casey Mears- 0 win, 1 top five, 5 top tens, 0 pole

Elliott Sadler- 0 win, 1 top five, 7 top tens, 1 pole

J.J. Yeley- 0 win, 0 top five, 3 top tens, 0 pole

Martin Truex Jr- 0 win, 0 top fives, 3 top tens, 0 pole

Jamie McMurray- 0 win, 3 top fives, 7 top tens, 0 pole

C-

Dale Jarrett- 0 win, 0 top five, 3 top tens, 0 pole

Bobby Labonte- 0 win, 1 top five, 5 top tens, 0 pole

Robby Gordon- 0 win, 1 top five, 2 top tens, 0 pole

Dave Blaney- 0 win, 1 top five, 2 top tens, 0 pole

Ken Schrader- 0 win, 0 top five, 2 top tens, 0 pole

D

Kyle Petty

Jeff Green

David Stremme

Joe Nemechek

Sterling Marlin

Tony Raines

F

Michael Waltrip

Jeremy Mayfield

Scott Wimmer

Travis Kvapil

Kevin Lepage

David Gilliland