Week 23: The top 12 - and beyond

Week 23: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 -- And Beyond DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2009) -- Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the CARFAX 400 at Michigan International ...

Week 23: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 -- And Beyond

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 11, 2009) -- Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series top 12, along with other notable drivers, going into the CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 16. (Note: Drivers listed below who are outside the top 12 are chosen based on past performances at the upcoming track and/or are within striking distance of the top 12.)

1 -- Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 106.5

2009 Rundown
Three wins, 13 top fives, 18 top 10s
Average finish of 7.2
Led 13 races for 273 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
One win, nine top fives, 14 top 10s
Average finish of 12.2
Finished seventh in June's Michigan race
Led six of 21 races for 168 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Series-best Pass Differential of 262 (passes minus times passed)

2 -- Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 110.5

2009 Rundown
Three wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s
Average finish of 11.0
Led 18 races for 995 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two top fives, six top 10s
Average finish of 14.9
Finished 22nd in June
Led nine of 15 races for 377 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Series-best Average Running Position of 8.4

3 -- Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.5

2009 Rundown
One win, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s
Average finish of 11.3
Led 11 races for 570 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, 16 fives, 21 top 10s; five poles
Average finish of 11.5
Finished second in June
Led 21 of 33 races for 899 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
385 Fastest Laps Run, second-most

4 -- Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.9

2009 Rundown
One win, six top fives, 12 top 10s
Average finish of 12.7
Led 13 races for 391 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, seven top 10s
Average finish of 19.4
Finished eighth in June
Led 10 of 17 races for 290 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Average Running Position of 10.7, third-best

5 -- Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.9

2009 Rundown
One win, seven top fives, 10 top 10s
Average finish of 13.6
Led nine races for 668 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two top fives, three top 10s
Average finish of 13.7
Finished third in June
Led three of seven races for three laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Average Running Position of 12.4, sixth-best

6 -- Carl Edwards (No. 99 Aflac Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.8

2009 Rundown
Six top fives, 10 top 10s
Average finish of 13.2
Led eight races for 158 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, six top fives, nine top 10s
Average finish of 6.3
Finished fourth in June
Led seven of 10 races for 243 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Average Running Position of 12.5, seventh-best

7 -- Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Target Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.3

2009 Rundown
One top five, 11 top 10s
Average finish of 13.3
Led five races for 133 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
One top 10
Average finish of 27.6 in five races
Finished sixth in June

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
1,969 Green Flag Passes, second-most

8 -- Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.5

2009 Rundown
One win, four top fives, nine top 10s
Average finish of 14.1
Led five races for 120 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
One win, five top fives; one pole
Average finish of 16.8
Finished 21st in June
Led three of 11 races for 40 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
174 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-most

9 -- Ryan Newman (No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.4

2009 Rundown
Five top fives, nine top 10s
Average finish of 14.8
Led 10 races for 156 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, four top fives; one pole
Average finish of 18.9
Finished 23rd in June
Led eight of 16 races for 94 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Has run 82.8% of the laps on the lead lap, 11th-best

10 -- Greg Biffle (No. 16 3M Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 90.6

2009 Rundown
Seven top fives, 10 top 10s
Average finish of 15.0
Led nine races for 355 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, six top fives, eight top 10s
Average finish of 12.5
Finished fifth in June
Led nine of 13 races for 233 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
364 Fastest Laps Run, third-most

11 -- Mark Martin (No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 95.1

2009 Rundown
Four wins, six top fives, 11 top 10s
Average finish of 16.5
Led 12 races for 438 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Five wins, 17 top fives, 21 top 10s
Average finish of 12.9
Won June's Michigan race
Led 25 of 47 races for 883 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
Has been passed 898 times, fewest in the series

12 -- Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 84.1

2009 Rundown
Two wins, four top fives, eight top 10s
Average finish of 15.5
Led nine races for 188 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
Two wins, nine top fives, 13 top 10s
Average finish of 9.7
Finished 20th in June
Led eight of 20 races for 222 laps

Season-To-Date Loop Data Highlight
1,798 Green Flag Passes, seventh-most

13 -- Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M's Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.7

2009 Rundown
Three wins, five top fives, seven top 10s
Average finish of 17.3
Led 12 races for 824 laps

Michigan International Speedway Outlook:
One top five, three top 10s
Average finish of 16.9
Finished 13th in June
Led six of nine races for 88 laps