The top 35 thread.

[MJ_N_09]

MJ_N_09 brings you another informative (I hope so) thread.

Owners points; they ensure that the 35 highest in points cars will races in Sunday/Saturday night. (Cup Series). Everyone lower than 35 has to qualify on time (unless the most recent champion is in the car).

For the first 5 races this year, Nascar is basing the lock in spots on LAST YEAR'S points after the season finale. After Bristol this year, they will go to the current top 35 teams of 2010.

Owners points after Las Vegas:

http://jayski.com/stats/2010/owners/3lvms2010owners.htm

What a disappointing 3 races it has been for some teams.

[MJ_N_09]

http://jayski.com/stats/2010/owners/4ams2010owners.htm

Owners standings after Atlanta.

[Knowlesy]

Penske and Robby Gordon, in particular, will be a little nervous...

[rustyfan]

Robby Gordon is in trouble indeed, don't really see him turning things around.

Don't see Brad Keselowski staying down there for long though. As long as he stays away from Carl Edwards, that is

[MJ_N_09]

It's a great time to be RCR though. 1st, 5th, and 6th in points, with their 2 satellite teams safely in the top 35 as well. Also, who would have ever thought that Paul Menard would be the highest Richard Petty Ford in points? What about Scott Speed higher in points that Brian Vickers?

I must say that some of these teams are surprising us to say the least.

[fieldodreams79]

EDIT: beat me to the 98 and RCR but didn't notice Speed ahead of Vicky...

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

http://jayski.com/stats/2010/owners/4ams2010owners.htm

Owners standings after Atlanta.

Good to see RCR on top again and RedBull up so high.

Derricke Cope in a solid 51st.

Biggest (postive) surprise so far is the #98 and Paul Menard (9th in Owner & Driver points)

Biggest (negative) surprises to me is the 39 (SHMS-Newman), the 77 (Penske-Horni), and the 12 (Penske-Kez). <---discuss reasons for the 12 elsewhere, please .

[MJ_N_09]

The 99 is WAY too high in points after-*shot*

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

The 99 is WAY too high in points after-*shot*

you son-of-a.....

[MJ_N_09]

Well here's the "Danger Zone" or cars that are in danger of falling out of the top 35 or close to getting in the top 35.

30) #77-Hornish/Penske 625 +104
31) #71-Labonte/Buckler 586 +65
32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row 580 +59
33) #38-Gilliland/Front Row 546 +25
34) #37-Conway/Front Row 538 +17
35) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 528, 7 points ahead of 36th

these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:

36) #34-Kvapil/Front Row 521 7 points out of 35th
37) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 426 -102
38) #36-Sauter/Baldwin: 420 -108
39) #13-Papis/Germain: 361 -167
40) #90-Mears/Riggs/Key 304 -224

[Axeman444]

good to see Ambrose pulling clear of this scenario...

[PabloTeK]

Wow that #77 is low, he had some good runs in some of the races, what happened to him?

[MJ_N_09]

Seems that the 77 MAY run well, but has lots of trouble with having a decent pit stop, usually putting them at least a lap down.

[MJ_N_09]

Current owners points aren't up yet, but It looks like Robby Gordon is back outside the top 35 while Max Papis makes a big jump up past the 26 and 36.

[MJ_N_09]

Looks like my predictions were right. Points after Texas.

http://jayski.com/stats/2010/owners/8tms2010owners.htm

Johnson quickly pulling away in the points.

[MJ_N_09]

UPDATE: Since Max Papis was penalized 50 points as well as the other MWR teams, he now drops out of contention for the top 35. Robert Richardson Jr will be in the 37 this week.

31) #78-Smith/Furniture Row: 680, +67
32) #71-Labonte/Buckler: 680, +67
33) #38-Conway/Front Row: 628, +15
34) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 617, +4
35) #37-Richardson Jr/Front Row: 614, 1 point ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 613, 1 point out of 35th
37) #26-Stremme/Latitude43: 457, -157
38) #36-Sauter/Baldwin: 445, -169
39) #13-Papis/Germain: 408, -206

[MJ_N_09]

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Richmond:
Changes: #7-Gordon finished 20th at Talladega and is 34th and has a guaranteed spot at Richmond, #37-Gilliland drops to 36th, 2 points behind 35th, now #38-Conway
32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row: 680, +67
33) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 617, +4
34) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 628, +15
35) #38-Conway/Front Row: 614, 1 point ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #37-Gilliland/Front Row: 613, 1 point out of 35th
37) #26-Stremme/Latitude43: 457, -157
38) #36-TBA/Baldwin: 445, -169

This could be the final top 35 update this year because the 26 and 36 are really starting to fall behind now. It's basically gonna be Robby Gordon vs The entire Front Row brigade now. Unless the 26 and 36 can start making races and running well, this will be the top 35 for 2010.

[MJ_N_09]

Robby is starting to pull away from 35th position. Conway falls out. Anyone remember what happened when he nearly fell out? You can expect more musical chairs with Front Row to keep their cash cow with his sponsor in the race, no matter how slow he is. Could he get the 34, or will he be back in the 37? Maybe Conway will actually be forced to stand on his own? I doubt it.

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Darlington:
Changes: #38-Conway drops out of the top35 and #37-Gilliland moves back in and has a guaranteed spot at Darlington. so do the drivers swap rides again to make sure Conway will run the race?
32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row: 807, +85
33) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 800, +47
34) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 792, +39
35) #37-Gilliland/Front Row: 769, 16 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #38-Conway/Front Row: 753, 16 points out of 35th
37) #26-Stremme/Latitude43: 615, -154
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.(5-1-2010)

[MJ_N_09]

33 Kevin Buckler 71 945 -823 -8 32 12
34 Robby Gordon 7 899 -869 -46 35 12
35 Doug Yates 38 899 -869 0 36 12
36 Doug Yates 37 897 -871 -2 34 12
37 Bill Jenkins 26 788 -980 -109 37 12

This gets interesting. The #71 and #36 both S&Ped today, Conway falls out again and will need to swap rides once more, while the #26 inches closer to 35th. The #71 will fall out if they continue to park, possibly putting the lowest Front Row team car in the top 35. Also, the #7 doesn't have full sponsorship and could cut back if none is found.

This got really interesting all of a sudden.

[Axeman444]

if he isn't careful Mr Ambrose may be figuring into this soon the way he is going

[MJ_N_09]

Sadly, if his cars are ****, there's nothing he can do but hope for finishes.

[gomick]

2nd year blues for the #47 - can turn it around by winning on the road courses

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by gomick

2nd year blues for the #47 - can turn it around by winning on the road courses

as long as he stays in the top 35 between now and then...

[MJ_N_09]

Robby Gordon has fallen back outside the top 35. Things have gotten dire for that team....they also don't have sponsorship, so this could also mean trouble in regards to their future participation...

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Pocono:
Front Row Motorsports #37 is back in the top 35 and #7-Gordon falls out, 15 pts out the top 35, and will need to qualify by speed at Pocono.
32) #71-Labonte/TRG: 1015, +52
33) #34-Kvapil/Front Row: 1011, +48
34) #37-Conway/Front Row: 987, +24
35) #38-Gilliland/Front Row: 978, 15 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 963, 15 points out of 35th
37) #26-Stremme/Latitude43: 813, -165
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(5-30-2010)

Look at that Great Wall of Front Row......

[fieldodreams79]

unfortunately, i can't see Robby lasting much longer in the series. for me, it is disappointing watching him now after we've seen his capabilities in a stock cars. but alas, it is too hard for an owner/driver with no sponsor, especially in this economy.

stick to Baja and Dakar plus road courses, Robby...etch your name on those trophies as many times as possible before it's too late.

[MJ_N_09]

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Michigan:
No changes as #7-Gordon didn't make the race at Pocono and is now 60 points out of the top-35.
32) #38-Gilliland/Front Row: 1075, +84
33) #34-Conway/Front Row: 1069, +78
34) #71-Labonte/TRG: 1069, +78
35) #37-Kvapil/Front Row: 1051, 60 points ahead of 36th
these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
36) #7-Gordon/RGM: 991, 60 points out of 35th
37) #26-Stremme/Latitude43: 904, -147
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(6-6-2010)