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Grading the Rookies

By Compiled by Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

Matt Kenseth, No. 17 Ford

• Grade: A

• Doesn't posses the flash of Dale Earnhardt Jr. but has shown he's just as talented. Won the Coca-Cola 600 and leads the rookie standings with three top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 8 Chevrole

• Grade: A

• Stole the headlines from his father by becoming the first two-time winner of the season. Still learning but is only getting better. Has three top-five and five top-10 finishes but three DNFs.

Dave Blaney, No. 93 Pontia

• Grade: C

• Career-best qualifying effort at Pepsi 400 (fourth) is lone highlight for Bill Davis' second team. He's 33rd in the points standings with six top-25 finishes.

Stacy Compton, No. 9 For

• Grade: C-

• Former Craftsman Truck Series driver is 35th in the standings. Best finish was 22nd at Richmond International Raceway. Has qualified 15th or better in four races.

Scott Pruett, No. 32 For

• Grade: D

• The former CART driver has struggled with the adjustment to closed-wheel cars. Team is on its third crew chief and is 39th in the standings with a 20th-place finish at Daytona.

Mike Bliss, No. 27 Pontia

• Grade: D

• Started the season in the No. 14 Pontiac but was released following the fifth race. Joined current team before the eighth race of the season and recorded his best finish (22nd) at Sears Point.

Ed Berrier, No. 90 For

• Grade: D-

• Has failed to qualify for 10 races in the Junie Donlavey-owned ride. Recorded his best finish at Darlington (20th) but is 43rd in the standings.

Jeff Fulle

• Grade: F

• Started the season in the No. 27 Pontiac, but failed to qualify for the Daytona 500. His best finish was 22nd in March at Atlanta. He was released in April.