Sprint Cup Series Points Analysis: Drivers 1-5

The 2016 Sprint Cup Series season is one race away from the annual spring break, on Father’s Day, June 19th. Let’s take a closer look at where the drivers and their teams are positioned in the standings and which competitors are racing up to their potential. In addition to that, let’s also examine who may be underachieving in 2016 and who needs to keep the pedal to the metal to reach the coveted Chase playoffs.

So far this year fans and NASCAR enthusiasts have seen some of the most competitive racing in the last decade. We have seen the closest finish in Sprint Cup Series history, the most dominate performance ever in a NASCAR race and new rookie drivers that are bringing new life to a sport that could desperately use it.

The veterans are doing their part too and almost completely fill up the top 10 point standings positions. Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota) has flexed its muscle through the spring. They have collected victories in eight of the 14 races ran. Here is a rundown of the who’s who in the top five slots as of June 7th, 2016.

Kevin Harvick and his #4 Jimmy Johns Freaky Fast Chevrolet sit atop the point standings and have already won a race at Phoenix International Speedway in March of this year. The win almost seals the deal that the former 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion will compete in the Chase races. Not only has Harvick and his team have excelled at many different types of tracks. The Haas Automation team has collected one win, six top five’s and 11 top 10’s. Las Vegas has this rugged racer at 5/1 to win it all in 2016.

Second in points is the savvy veteran Kurt Busch and his #41 Monster Energy Chevrolet. A member of the Haas Automation team and teammate of points leader Kevin Harvick, Busch is quietly having one of his best Sprint Cup Series seasons in a while. Busch drove his way to his first victory of the season this week at Pocono Raceway and closed the gap between him and the points leader. Kyle Busch’s big brother has collected one win, five top five’s and 12 top 10’s. Las Vegas isn’t as convinced as some of his competitors and has him notched in at 15/1 to capture the title.

Brad Keselowski sits third in the Sprint Cup Series point standings. The #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion’s driver has found victory lane twice this year, one in early March at Las Vegas and another at Talladega Super Speedway in May. The two victories all but assure the speedster he will be competing in the Chase. Consistency has also been the staple that has got him to third in the standings. Keselowski has two wins, five top five’s and nine top 10’s. The racing gurus in Vegas have him at a playable 9/1 odds to claim the championship.

Fourth in the Sprint Cup Series point standings is Carl Edwards and his #19 Arris Toyota. As of this week Edwards is the highest ranking Joe Gibbs Racing owned team on the list. The newly acquired veteran has posted two wins one the year, both coming back-to-back at Bristol and Richmond in April. Edwards has also finished in the top five in five different contests and the top 10 in another two. The qualifying wiz has collected two poles to pad his team’s pocket book for the year. Las Vegas insiders have a little more confidence in the crafty veteran and have him slated at 8/1 to capture glory.

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series reigning and defending champion rounds out the top five in the fifth spot. Another member of the Joe Gibbs Racing juggernaut has not disappointed in his attempt to repeat as champion. Busch and the #18 M&M team have a series high three victories to their credit.

They found their way to the winners circle at Martinsville Speedway, again the next week at Texas and a third time in May at Kansas. Busch’s ability to find his way to the front for crucial race re-starts in the final laps has been the difference.

He has gathered nine top nine’s and nine other top 10’s. “Rowdy” Busch has three did not finishes this year or he would be safely positioned in the cat birds seat. Las Vegas odds makers have him at 5/1, tied with Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson as the favorite.

2016 NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Point Standings: