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... your points leader would be Travis Kvapil!

Kvapil used to baffle me. Back in 2005, Penske gave him the keys to the No. 77. Kvapil, on paper at least, looked like a decent choice -- five wins and four straight top 10 season finishes in the Truck series, including the title in 2003. He kept the truck between the walls -- always a plus for any incoming driver who didn't want to work his fab shop guys to death.

But 2005 was a disaster. He racked up four DNFs in the first nine races and limped home to a 33rd-place season finish. When Kodak got out of NASCAR at the end of 2005, Penske shut down the 77 and Kvapil was out. He caught on with Cal Wells in the 32's (and Tide's) final season in 2006. That season was even worse, and Kvapil went back to the Truck Series for 2007.

Funny thing was, Kvapil was very very good last year -- 4 wins, 12 top 10s and a sixth-place season finish. And this season, he's the biggest surprise next to David Ragan.

Think about it. Yates was nearly DOA at the end of last season. The No. 28's sponsor deals are week-to-week, if they even exist. Kvapil had two crappy seasons in Cup. And ... he's not bad.

Don't think that Kvapil's any threat to win a race, much less make the Chase -- he's not. (He's 18th overall.) But he has finished every race this season, and sometimes he's bringing it home on the lead lap. Good for here.

The updated Small Team Standings after the jump. ...