Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth Lead the Way For Driver Of 2007

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Jul 6, 2006

The driver of the year in 2006 may not necessarily be a NASCAR Nextel Cup driver. Champ Car World Series Sebastien Bourdais has dominated that series, while Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher have combined for every win except one in the Formula One series. Sam Hornish Jr has struck hot in the Indy Racing League and may vie for top driver in 2006. Here is my list of candidates for driver of the year.

1. Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)- Once again Jimmie Johnson is a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR Nextel Cup. Johnson has three wins in 2006, four if you include the Nextel Cup All-Star event. After eighteen races, Johnson has accumulated 8 top fives, and 14 top tens, and leads the Nextel Cup standings.

2. Fernando Alonso (Formula One)- The defending Formula One champion is unwilling to relinquish that title, and the proof is in the results. After ten races in the 2006 Formula One campaign, Alonso has six wins, 10 top fives, 10 top tens. Alonso paces the F1 standings over Michael Schumacher by 19 points.

3. Matt Kenseth (NASCAR)- The 2003 Winston (Now-Nextel) Cup champion is in the hunt again in 2006. Kenseth has won twice, and marginally trails Jimmie Johnson in the Nextel Cup standings by eight points. Kenseth leads all NASCAR drivers with 10 top fives after 18 races, and has accumulated 11 top tens.

4. Sebastien Bourdais (Champ Car)- Sebastien Bourdais began the Champ Car World Series season by winning it's first four races of 2006. Bourdais currently leads the Champ Car driver standings by 26 points over Justin Wilson. After six races, Bourdais has 5 top fives, and 5 top tens.

5. Sam Hornish Jr (Indy Racing League)- The 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner has emerged as the man to beat in the Indy Racing League. Sam Hornish Jr has posted three wins, 6 top fives, and 7 top tens after eight races.

6. Ron Capps (NHRA)- In the Funny Car division of the NHRA, Ron Capps continues his successful 2006 campaign as he leads the standings for that division by 106 points over John Force.

Capps have five wins in eleven NHRA Funny Car events.

7. Kasey Kahne (NASCAR)- While Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have been the most consistent, Kasey Kahne leads the NASCAR Nextel Cup series with four wins. Currently, Kahne is positioned in fourth spot in the Nextel Cup standings, with 6 top fives, and 10 top tens. Kahne also has five poles.

8. Michael Schumacher (Formula One)- Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has raced in the tire tracks of Fernando Alonso for most of the 2006 season, but he isn't far behind. Schumacher has won three races, posted 8 top fives, and 9 top tens. Schumacher is still within striking distance of Alonso.

9. Helio Castroneves (Indy Racing League)- Helio Castroneves has recorded three wins, 4 top fives, and 6 top tens after 8 races in 2006.

10. Tony Stewart (NASCAR)- Tony Stewart, the two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, has recorded two wins, 8 top fives, and 9 top tens after 18 races in 2006.

Tie: A.J. Allmendinger (Champ Car)- A.J. Allmendinger was fired and hired in 2006, but nothing has distracted him from his goal of catching Bourdais. Allmendinger has two wins, 4 top fives, and 5 top tens after six races in 2006. He is third in the Champ Car standings.

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