If recent history is any indication, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series standings will look a lot like they do now once the checkered flag flies on the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
The top two drivers – Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson – have phenomenal numbers at Martinsville. They’ll likely continue the struggle at the top.
Gordon, who leads Johnson by 68 points with five Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races complete, ranks in the top five in practically every key Loop Data category.
In collecting five consecutive top-five finishes (including a season sweep in 2005), Gordon has earned the second-best Driver Rating (123.8), the second-best Average Running Position (7.4), the second-highest number of Fastest Laps Run (263), and the second-most Laps in the Top 15 (2,172/86.9%).
Hendrick Motorsports teammate Johnson sits just behind Gordon in the above categories. He has third-best numbers in Driver Rating (117.2), Average Running Position (7.9), Fastest Laps Run (224) and Laps in the Top 15 (2,093/83.7%).
One driver in particular is in dire need of a repeat of past performances – Tony Stewart. Stewart trails Gordon by 198 points, but a turnaround is in sight. Stewart has excelled at Martinsville in recent years, launching himself to the top of most of the Loop Data statistical categories. With a win last season and four consecutive top 10s, Stewart ranks first in Martinsville Driver Rating (125.5), Average Running Position (4.4), Fastest Laps Run (277) and Laps in the Top 15 (2,401/96%).
One result seems likely, though: the victor should come from the Chase field. The top four (and six of the top eight) in Driver Rating are in the Chase.
One dark-horse driver who has top numbers at Martinsville is native Virginian Ricky Rudd (No. 88 Snickers Ford).
With an average finish of 10.3 in three Martinsville races since 2005, Rudd has earned a Driver Rating of 94.3 (sixth-best) and an Average Running Position of 11.1 (fourth-best).
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