The 2009 Sprint Cup season may only be three races in, but there are trends appearing that are positive for some, expected for others, and a few that are head-scratchers.

Let’s take a look through the field after three events on the calendar, and see where people are, and where they should be.

Positives

Jeff Gordon leading the points

Yes, I’m a fan of the 24 car. But if you were to tell me, or anybody, that after three races this year Jeff would be doing this well, then I’d think you slept through last season.

After getting through the crap-shoot that is Daytona fairly unscathed, he was in a position to win at Fontana, and lost the race on pit road.

This past weekend at Vegas he had that same car, and as expected, it was fast. Once again a questionable call by crew chief Steve Letarte of having Jeff pit with the 48 car caused a problem, he overshot pit road, and blew out the left front tire. Mind you the car was so good that with minimal repairs he still finished sixth—oh, and also surpassed 20,000 laps led in his career.

Oh yeah—and he surpassed the $100,000,000 in career winnings mark. Cha-ching!

 

Clint Bowyer leading the RCR Brigade

With the signing of Casey Mears, Bowyer found himself bumped from his familiar digs of the 07 Jack Daniels machine to the newly-formed No. 33 car with Betty Crocker on board…I just don’t think the sponsors fit the personalities...(a la Kasey Kahne and Budweiser.)

Regardless, Clint has been steady and consistent in his new ride, and is running a solid second in points, with two top-fives to date.

What’s ironic about this deal? Bobby Ginn is listed as owner of the car. Recall that just two years ago he had a race team that was going to be something big and it folded—first merged into DEI and then RCR.

Now who’s smiling?

 

Michael Waltrip Racing

One word: Wow! I dare anyone out there to show me that you put money on a bet saying that Michael Waltrip would be in the top-12 after three races (which isn’t unfathomable, after all, Daytona is what Daytona is) and that David Reutimann would be fifth in points—I’d be calling you for some lottery numbers.

Aside from some brushes with the wall, Mikey has been showing that he can still compete. More importantly his cars are up to speed. Reuti shouldn’t have any problem with Aaron’s sponsoring that car for the rest of the season if he keeps this up.

 

Hall of Fame Racing/Bobby Labonte

Yes, HoF made the switch from Toyota to Ford and into the Yates Racing partnership in the off-season. This gave veteran Labonte the confidence to sign with the team—though I wonder what he’d be doing in a Richard Petty Motorsports car at this point, since they haven’t been slouches this year either.

Labonte is tenth in the points—unfamiliar territory for HoF, which struggled since it’s inception under owners Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. But the switch has done him good and the team as well, as they are out-performing the other Yates Racing machines. It’s good to see Bobby up front, and even contending for wins.

 

Marcos Ambrose

He’s technically part of the MWR squad, with the alliance between them and his team of JTG Daugherty Racing, but it says something when the “Tasmanian Devil” is running 20th in points, and a number of much more experienced drivers are in his rear-view mirror. I don’t know if he’ll maintain this position, but he’s a nice guy, and I hope he does well.

 

Regan Smith / Furniture Row Racing

For a team that’s running a “limited schedule” you sure wouldn’t know it from the performance to date. Last years’ Rookie Of the Year was left without a ride after the debacle at DEI, and now he’s in the top-35 in points, after running in only two of the three races!

This team sports Hendrick equipment, which is good and all, but he’s ahead of three guys running the full schedule (Scott Speed, Aric Almirola, and Paul Menard) and is breathing down the neck of some big names (Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano).

If I’m running the show at FRR, I don’t care what it costs, I’m getting this kid and the car to the track every week, because why would you cut back a schedule when you’re locked into the field? Two to go and we’ll see where they stand.

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