Halfway through the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season, two drivers have already set the benchmark for the championship.
As well as setting themselves
up to be the favorites when the Chase begins in eight weeks. Matt Kenseth has a
season high four wins after 18 races, as does Jimmie Johnson. Both drivers have
hit their stride with their respective teams and can dominate a race on any
given Sunday.
Many have blamed Kenseth, the
2003 Cup champion, for being the reason the Chase exists. Johnson, the
2006-2010 champion, is continually shot down even in the midst of the
history and milestones he continues to break.
Whereas Kenseth has seemed to
find himself the right home with Joe Gibbs Racing, winning early and often,
Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team just keep getting better. Finding new
ways to improve either their team or their performance. One Sunday it’ll be
Kenseth the favorite, the next it’s Johnson.
Then there comes the days where
the two go head-to-head and it looks like the perfect preview to the 2013 Chase
title fight. Entering New Hampshire Johnson leads the points, Kenseth sits sixth,
mostly in part to DNF’s that haven’t been his doing as well as a early season
point penalty after a failed inspection.
Regardless, these two drivers
and their respective teams appear to be the best in the series right now. A lot
can change before the Chase and many more drivers can silently creep into the
picture when the 10-week playoffs begin. After all, it wasn’t expected for Brad
Keselowski to take home the title last year, or Clint Bowyer to finish second
in his first season with his new team.
But …
What if the championship comes down between Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson, who'd you rather see win another title? Matt get #2 or Johnson get #6
@chreister89 Kenseth!
@srs1159 Matt for sure
@kathyrmoore I'd much rather see Matt get #2!
@HD388 no question @mattkenseth. The guy is due for a 2nd championship
@Daniels_Caudill absolutely @mattkenseth, I haven't watched him win a championship. I watched @JimmieJohnson win five.
@JamersonD I'm probably in the minority, but I'd rather see @JimmieJohnson win #6. I think its cool seeing him make history.
@tpt0413 JJ for sure!
@Nascarnoll Matt
@mkdowd definitely @mattKenseth
@Gman1439 Kenseth!
@PenskeRacin1fan Kenseth
@wwespnascar2924 I rather see... Johnson win his 6th actually
@scubazuke I'm going to go against the grain and say @JimmieJohnson. It's history every time he gets another and closer to 7.
@hookemhorns51 Definitely @mattkenseth for #2
Joe Shepherd (via Facebook) Kenseth, without a doubt
Craig Taureck (via Facebook) Kenseth
Rebecca Turbeville (via Facebook) Kenseth
Josh Genthe (via Facebook) Kenseth, but if I had my druthers I'd prefer Truex Jr.
Stroker Ace (via Facebook) Normally I'd say JJ and Team Chevy. However..... I would so love to see Kenseth win it just so he could be the Top Dog at JGR
Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Despite Johnson's fast start, Kenseth has not made mistakes to this point. Just had some parts fail him. My bet is on the 20
Josh Jones (via Facebook) Kenseth
Dawn Emery-Watson (via Facebook) Kenseth!
Barb Dawson (via Facebook) don't even have to think about that one...Kenseth
Ellen Trdina (via Facebook) Def would rather see Kenseth get it. Johnson's bunch push the envelope a little too far to suit me, kinda like Ferrari did with Michael Schumacher. Yeah, they're great drivers but don't cheat (not exactly cheating, just bending the rules) to get the extra edge
Dan Sanger (via Facebook) In a battle of the Home Improvement stores I have to go with Kenseth and Home Depot
