Below is a look at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Top 12 along with some other notable drivers, going into the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway on February 22. (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 – Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 114.0
2009 Rundown
• Won his first Daytona 500, as well as team owner Jack Roush’s first Daytona 500
• Ended a 36-race winless drought
• Won the Daytona 500 from the 39th starting position, the lowest of any Daytona winner
• Led seven laps in the Daytona 500
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Two wins, six top fives, 10 top 10s
• Average finish of 9.6
• Finished fifth at Auto Club in August
• Led 10 of 14 races for 384 laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Top Average Running Position of 8.6
2 – Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.7
2009 Rundown
• One top five
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• One top five, four top 10s
• Average finish of 17.9
• Finished fourth in August
• Led five of 13 races for 32 laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• 215 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most
3 – A.J. Allmendinger (No. 44 Valvoline Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 102.2
2009 Rundown
• One top five
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Average finish of 16.0
• Finished 14th in August
• Led one of two races for one lap
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 10.9, seventh-best
4 – Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 87.4
2009 Rundown
• One top five
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• One top five, three top 10s
• Average finish of 12.0
• Finished 10th in August
• Led one of six races for two laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• 243 Green Flag Passes, second-most
5 – Elliott Sadler (No. 19 Stanley Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 80.5
2009 Rundown
• One top five
• Led 24 laps
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• One win, two top 10s
• Average finish of 26.5
• Finished 34th in August
• Led two of 15 races for 67 laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• 198 Green Flag Passes, 11th-most
6 – David Ragan (No. 6 UPS Ford)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 92.2
2009 Rundown
• One top 10
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Average finish of 13.8
• Finished 13th in August
• Led one of four races for one lap
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Second-best “Closer” – 13 positions improved in the last 20 laps
7 – Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 97.2
2009 Rundown
• One top 10
• Led 15 laps
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Three top fives, seven top 10s
• Average finish of 16.4
• Finished 22nd in August
• Led six of 15 races for 225 laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Five Fastest Laps Run, tied for fifth-most
8 – Michael Waltrip (No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 81.2
2009 Rundown
• One top 10
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Two top 10s
• Average finish of 26.3
• Finished 33rd in August
• Led four of 16 races for 16 laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Race-high 10 Fastest Laps Run
9 – Reed Sorenson (No. 43 McDonald’s Dodge)
• Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 73.7
2009 Rundown
• One top 10
Auto Club Speedway Outlook:
• Average finish of 28.3
• Finished 27th in August
• Led one of six races for eight laps
Daytona 500 Loop Data Highlight
• Average Running Position of 16.2, 15th-best
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