When a Driver Rating from this race a year ago is a perfect 150.0, its obvious that the team had it dialed in the last time out. Tony Stewart dominates NASCARs pre-race Loop Data statistics for The Glen, ranking first in 10 categories, including Driver Rating, Fastest Early in a Run, Late in a Run, Fastest on Third Straightaway, Fastest in Turn 9, Turn 10, Turn 11, Turns 2 to 4, Fastest on Restarts and Speed in Traffic. Road course standouts Robby Gordon (#7 Menards/Johns Manville Chevy) and Boris Said (#60 Sobe-No Fear Ford) are always threats to win at Watkins Glen. Gordon, who won at The Glen in 2003, has the fourth highest Driver Rating (112.9) heading into this Sundays event. He finished second to Stewart at The Glen a year ago. In seven career starts there, he has five top-five finishes. Saids 113.6 Driver Rating ranks third highest and he leads two pre-race Loop Data categories Fastest on the Frontstretch and Fastest on the Backstretch. Said looks to improve upon last years third-place showing. A compilation of Loop Data statistics from the five tracks left in the Race to the Chase could be a good forecaster in projecting how the top drivers may perform during this stretch. That compilation from races in 2005 and 2006 shows Stewart has the best Driver Rating (111.8) at these remaining tracks: Watkins Glen, Michigan, Bristol, California and Richmond. As previously documented, Stewarts strongest track is The Glen, with his perfect 150.0 rating. Greg Biffle (#16 National Guard/Subway Ford) is next over the upcoming five-race stretch with a rating of 105.6 followed by Kenseth at 100.4. On the flip side, Jeff Burton (#31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet), currently in third place in the standings, is hoping history doesnt repeat itself over the next five weeks. Burtons 73.8 Driver Rating at the next five race tracks is the lowest among the series top 14 drivers.(NASCAR PR)(8-13-2006)
