1. Jeff Burton  This type of “wear-‘em-down” consistency is great in the regular season. Unfortunately for Burton, it takes an explosive run through the Chase to win it all.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.  The 12th at Texas was respectable, but you have to wonder when this team will stop adjusting its way out of wins.

3. Carl Edwards  With short track season behind him, Edwards picks up right where he left off on the intermediates.

4. Kyle Busch  Complained of being “too loose” at Texas, which is a first for Kyle. We’ll blame the green racecar and move on.

5. Kevin Harvick  Anyone notice that Harvick has yet to finish outside of the top 15 this year? Phoenix is the most likely track for him to nab that first win of ’08, too.

6. Tony Stewart  Throw out Tony’s cut tire and subsequent wreck at Vegas — a roughly 100-point setback — and Stewart is going toe-to-toe with Burton. Yes, he’s been that consistent.

7. Denny Hamlin  Hamlin’s FedEx team is charging harder than any other at the moment, with finishes of sixth, first and fifth in their last three.

8. Clint Bowyer  Bowyer is also shooting up the rankings with four consecutive top 10s. It’ll be five in a row by this time next week.

9. Jeff Gordon  Little known fact: Gordon took vacation with Ingrid and Ella last weekend, turning Texas driving duties to his older brother, Fred. Thus, the 43rd-place run.

10. Jimmie Johnson  Flashlight and black gloves found in Chad Knaus’ trunk the day after a break-in was reported in the 88 shop. Ironically, Johnson has recorded runs of fourth and second in the ensuing weeks.

11. Greg Biffle  See the name atop this list, Greg? That could be you at this time next season.

12. Ryan Newman  After a downward spiral following the Daytona win, the 12 team was more than happy to notch a fourth-place run at Texas, get busted for being illegal, take a 25-point hit and move on.

13. Matt Kenseth  The sleeping giant.

14. Martin Truex Jr.  Truex has sights set on April 27th Talladega race. The bass will be in full-spawn in Alabama about then.

15. Mark Martin/Aric Almirola  The No. 8 car: An army of two.

Just off the lead pack: Brian Vickers, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya and David Ragan.

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