What Lincoln is Thinkin’ - Driver Terrific 13

NASCAR Terrific 13 - California

1. Tony Stewart - Missed one break at the end of the Daytona 500, and couldn't get the big win. If it was the Daytona 502, I bet Stewart would've won. Does that mean he should've won the race? No. Does that make him the driver to beat right now? Yes.
2. Ryan Newman - Has a long season worth of racing to prove that the Daytona 500 was not a fluke.
3. Kyle Busch - From Friday to Sunday, there was no better driver than Ky. He had three top four finishes in just three days. But no wins. Ky's biggest problem is that he hasn't been consistent - way too much boom or bust. While he didn't win any races, he proved over the weekend that he won't crash just trying to win.
4. Kurt Busch - Ku's run from last to second is the most impressive story coming out of the Daytona weekend. I have no idea if the Dodge's can keep it up, but if they can, then I might like Ku's chances better than Newman's for a Sprint Cup title.
5. Jimmie Johnson - Johnson finished in the bottom 10 last year at Daytona, and came back and won California the next week. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again.
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Junior hung at the top of the pack for most of the 500, even as his Chevy counterparts dropped like stones. If he doesn't make the chase this year, I'll eat my hat. In fact, I'll eat your hat too.
7. Jeff Gordon - Gordon's Daytona troubles are the most troubling. His crew needs to get that 24 car ready for Cali.
8. Denny Hamlin - Why was Hamlin such a factor in the beginning of the race, and nowhere to be found at the end?
9. Kevin Harvick - Not as great of a start as last year, but a top 15 is not bad, especially when many of the other Chevrolets faltered.
10. Matt Kenseth - Kenseth was the strongest running Ford at Daytona until David Ragan took him out.
11. Jeff Burton - Burton got laid out to dry in the 500. He's one of those drivers that are going to hover around this part of the rankings all season.
12. Kasey Kahne - The new Budweiser car had a fantastic run in the 500 - Kahne will take a 6th place finish any day.
13. Reed Sorenson - Sorenson qualified well and raced well. I'd be shocked if he makes the chase, but as of now, he has a top 5 finish in the 500. That's nothing to shake a stick at.

Just Missed: Casey Mears, Greg Biffle



Tell me what you think should be the order of the Terrific 13!

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