NASCAR's rookie of the year award is based upon a points system separate from overall NASCAR Sprint
Cup standings with candidates effectively racing against each other. Only their
best 17 finishes are counted with bonuses added on a sliding scale for top 10
overall finishes; end of season series points ranking and the judgment of a
special panel on overall on- and off-track
performance.
Ricky
Stenhouse Jr. is the current leader having scored 160 points. Danica Patrick is
four points behind with Timmy Hill, who has competed in eight races,
third.
On
paper, there is little to differentiate Stenhouse, driver of the No. 17 Roush
Fenway Racing Ford and Patrick, who competes in the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing
Chevrolet. Patrick has the edge in best finish – eighth at Daytona after
becoming the first female pole winner in Daytona 500 history – while Stenhouse
scores on consistency.
Stenhouse
is still in pursuit of his first top-10 finish but edges Patrick in top 15s by a
five to three count. The two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion has 10 lead
lap finishes – including the most recent three races – to Patrick’s four.
Stenhouse, whose best qualifying position is third at Kansas, has led three
races for a total of 29 laps to Patrick’s one for five
laps.
