For a look at how this works, see here.
It's been nearly a month since my last set of driver rankings, but with only one covered series running at this moment it's not quite ready for primetime. All that will change next weekend, since Formula One begins its season and IndyCar the next. With the way the rankings have appeared in 2008, this weekend is likely the last with a NASCAR driver in the top spot.And that driver in the top spot? This weeks race winner, Kyle Busch. Shrub takes over the #1 spot from older bro Kurt who was #1 after the last race. Another interesting trend has emerged from the rankings: the driver who won the race that weekend has been #1 every weekend: Kenseth was obviously #1 after Daytona and retained after Fontana, Kyle took over after Las Vegas, then Kurt at Atlanta. #1 will again go to the most recent winner, although the Australian GP winner instead.Top 25 (all NASCAR guys since nobody else has started)
Biggest Gainer of the Week: With his first good race of '09, Ryan Newman moved from 30th to 21st this week. Mark Martin moved up 7 thanks to his second straight pole.
The F1 test Kyle Busch was given by Toyota has been cancelled by NASCAR. Because Kyle finished sixth in the Nationwide series in his abbreviated schedule (including a record-tying ten wins), he is being strong armed to the Nationwide awards banquet, which falls at the same of time as the proposed test for Toyota that is in Japan. In case you were wondering why a NASCAR driver would get such a deal, it is more of a gesture of appreciate for kicking so much butt early in the season than a trial for a ride. "I don't get to drive the formula one car anymore," said Busch, who did not contest the entire Nationwide calendar this year.
"I have to go to the Nationwide banquet and accept my sixth place awards instead," he confirmed.
"NASCAR took me away from the formula one car."
While NASCAR thinks it's the greatest thing to ever happen to racing, worldwide F1 is king, in spite of its numerous flaws. It's good PR, and would especially be so if Shrub runs competitive lap times.
This decision is one that might hurt NASCAR's relationship with Toyota. That's one I wouldn't want to disrupt. After all, they are the only manufacturer in the series that isn't in financial shambles at the moment. It may be the only one left in a few years for all we know.
