Rusty Reckons: The Chase Rundown Part 3

Well, it's finally here. The Chase for the Nextel Cup, NASCAR's version of a playoff system. To help you prepare for the 10 week showdown, Rusty's going to give you a run down of each of the 12 drivers in the Chase, this week. Included in that ranking will be the Rusty's Power Ranking, my own personal index of who's got the best shot to win the title.

Today we look at the #8 and #7 positions, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch.











Brian Vickers - Rusty makes no bones about the fact that he doesn't like Vickers as far as he can spit. Memories of Talladega will always haunt me. That aside, what Team Red Bull has done with the 83 car this year is nothing short of amazing. Vickers has only 2 career wins in Cup, and neither was a dominant victory. Needless to say this is Vickers first year in the Chase, and as I've been saying, that doesn't bode well for the championship. Vickers is the first driver I've reviewed with a win, so that does give him a head up on at least 4 other drivers. But call it a gut feeling, Rusty just doesn't see a serious title contender in the #83 team. However, Vickers will challenge for a few wins, and might even win another race. He'll have an off day or two, though, and that'll be enough to keep him somewhere around his current points position.

Position before Ranking: 12
Rusty's Power Ranking: 11











Kurt Busch - The driver of the blue deuce presents an interesting case, and one that goes against Rusty's typical consistency song and dance. Busch has had 2 DNF's in the last month (Michigan and Atlanta). When Kurt's not running towards the front, he's running towards the back . . . way back! He's won a race and tallied 7 top 5's, but has also finished worse than 20th 6 times; 4 of those worse than 30th. It's been an up and down year for the #2 team. Like Vickers, he will run up front and challenge for some wins in the Chase, but without the needed consistency, Busch will not be up front in the standings. If he's still in the hunt when they get to Dega, I'll be surprised. If can get through Dega, then he just might have a shot at his second title, and first at Penske, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Position before Richmond: 7
Rusty's Power Ranking: 8

Tomorrow: #6 Jeff Gordon, #5 Kasey Kahne

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Rusty Reckons: Why I Turned the Race Off

Last night, I turned off the television and didn't watch the last 50 laps or so of the race. As far as I'm concerned, NASCAR didn't deserve being rewarded with my loyalty after Junior went to the garage. My loyalty last night stopped at my driver. It's unfortunate, but I just think NASCAR needs to get real about when they scheduled that race.

It was Oscar night, and NASCAR in it's infinite wisdom decides to start the race at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. What toothbrush dancing chimpanzee came up with that brilliant idea? NASCAR actually is trying to compete against the Academy Awards? I realize there might not be a lot of demographic similarities in these two events, but c'mon!!! If you want to become a major player in the American sports world, you've gotta make smart decisions about when you start/finish races.

Lucky for me, doesn't look like I missed too much. Matt "Snooze" Kenseth won again, making him one of only a handful of drivers to win the 500 and the next race. Las Vegas this coming weekend should be a little better, though. I'll tell ya later in the week how the progressive banking makes for better racing. Before I saunter off to sulk about Junior's position of 35 in the points, I'll comment on what I'm sure you've been waiting for me to write about...the Junior-Vickers incident at Daytona.

Junior did not wreck Vickers intentionally, just like NASCAR said. June bug's the first one to apologize when he's done wrong. He's not afraid to admit he's wrong and apologize. Heck, he's even apologized when it won't his fault. In all his racing career he's been known to be a respectful driver that doesn't go around wrecking people. So, the haters can holler all they want. Junior's reputation speaks for itself. He ain't to blame for Vickers wrecking; Vickers is. Be sure your sins will find you out, Mr. Vickers.

(forward to about the 1:50 mark)

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