NASCAR's Winners and Losers at Las Vegas

With three races down, so far this year no one would have bet (sorry, I am shameless) who would be leading the points and some surprise finishes at Las Vegas.

Winners

Kyle Busch 

Every driver wants to win at their home track. It was only a matter of when for Kyle Busch. After an engine swap that forced him to the back after snagging the pole from Brother Kurt Busch.

Kyle methodically worked his way to the front. He wasn't the best car or even the fastest but he was there when it counted. 

Points: Sixth

Jeff Gordon

Leading his 20,000th lap at Las Vegas and battling back from a rare pit road mistake and then a tire issue, to come home sixth.  No, it wasn't a win but this team has been the most consistent team early in the season and by far the best team at Hendrick Motorsports.

The hottest team in NASCAR is this 24 crew and they are ready to challenge for the championship.

Points: First

David Reutimann

What a show for these guys. Started in the back after a engine change, battled a oil leak and came home with a strong top five finish in fourth. These guys have been on a roll dating back to last season.

Reutimann has a lot of talent and after the last couple years and Michael Waltrip Racing struggling the equipment is finally up to par with the driver. Is this a fluke? We won't know until Atlanta, but keep an eye on this team.

Points: Fifth

Bobby Labonte

I don't remember the last time I was pulling so hard for a driver to pull of a win.  Labonte strong run at Las Vegas gives this team momentum heading into Atlanta.

Strong pit stops and good handling car, Labonte showed why this team is ready to compete with the best of them. 

Points: 10th

Losers

Matt Kenseth

It only took six laps but Matt Kenseth’s attempt to win a record three in a row, went up in smoke, literally. The odds (like I said shameless) were against him to win three in a row and he didn't sound very confident that he could do it just minutes leading up to the green flag.

This team looks strong even with a blown engine at Vegas, expect to see them back up front come Sunday.

Points: Third

3/4 of Hendrick Motorsports

Okay so I don't expect Jimmie Johnson to continue this sluggish start, but even last year at this time he was running better than this. With some tough luck when teammate Jeff Gordon blown tire caused a caution, put them a lap down.

But had it not been for sliding through the pit stalls this team would have been well on its way before the caution. Johnson should rebound in the coming weeks, he has run well but the results don't show it.

Points: 19th

Mark Martin

Martin was everyone sentimental favorite to win this year and he has yet to prove us right.  Two blown engines and he is sitting 34th in points. This team needs a strong run at Atlanta to just get them out of the danger zone.

Points 34th

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt had a quiet run this week coming home 10th, but once again pit road issues put him a lap down and he wasn't a factor as many had expected. He did give himself some breathing room and moved to 29th in the points. He needs some good runs and stay out trouble to gain some points and get back in the picture.

Points: 29th

Casey Mears

When RCR switched Clint Bowyer to the No. 33 and gave Casey Mears the No. 07 which would be securely in the top 35 in points for the first 5 races  this year, the move made sense, Mears who historically not a good qualifier would be in automatically.

This team has struggled finding speed and setups that work for Mears and he has been all but a no factor this season.  A new team was supposed to give a boost to this driver but it seems to have done the opposite.  They need to right this ship or changes will have to be made.

Points: 27th

Carl Edwards

It looked like Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle would survive the engine issues that ruined their teammate’s day. But taking the white flag, Edwards’s engine blew and there went his chances of a top five finish.

Edwards who won this race last year, hasn't looked as good on the track as many expected. He only led two laps here and was never a factor in the race. I am sure he will find his rhythm again but this team looks a little lost the first couple races but Atlanta should be a sign of where this team is going.

Points: Ninth

Final Lap...

A heads up to rookie Joey Logano, a strong 13th place finish was what this team needed.  Logging some laps and learning the car is what they are focusing on. Scott Speed finished 21st, one lap down.

Heading to Atlanta we will see who are the real contenders. We have seen some teams run very well the first three races and others struggle to stay competitive.

It's early in the season to watch the standings but guys like Kenseth and Gordon and Ku. Busch and others who are sitting in the top 12 right now want to continue to build a cushion on the field. Set themselves up for the season and for those 12 drivers they have the advantage.