Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Week Two
By Richard Tix
Last year when NASCAR headed to Phoenix Carl Edwards was in big need of a win. He had been on a long win less streak and he finally snapped it. This season the Phoenix winner also needed it, but not because he has been on a huge win less streak, but instead to prove to everyone he can win with his new team.
Boy did Kevin Harvick show us that. Actually, most of Sunday Kevin Harvick dominated. Restart after restart Harvick would pull away and leave fellow drivers looking at the "Freakt Fast" ad on the back of his car. Dale Earnhardt Jr did seem to have a strong car as well, but fans never got to see down the stretch if he could catch Harvick because he was just too good off of restarts.
The weekend also started with both Penske drivers starting on the front row and Jeff Gordon bringing in back to back top 5's (Daytona and Phoenix) to start the season. Also worth noting, Phoenix and the new car package brought us some great racing. The last few laps had some great racing. Well lets get into the Power Rankings (Here is Week 1). Also, here are your full race results.
Phoenix Preview
Boy did Kevin Harvick show us that. Actually, most of Sunday Kevin Harvick dominated. Restart after restart Harvick would pull away and leave fellow drivers looking at the "Freakt Fast" ad on the back of his car. Dale Earnhardt Jr did seem to have a strong car as well, but fans never got to see down the stretch if he could catch Harvick because he was just too good off of restarts.
The weekend also started with both Penske drivers starting on the front row and Jeff Gordon bringing in back to back top 5's (Daytona and Phoenix) to start the season. Also worth noting, Phoenix and the new car package brought us some great racing. The last few laps had some great racing. Well lets get into the Power Rankings (Here is Week 1). Also, here are your full race results.Phoenix Preview
Pit Road: Power Rankings Week 2
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-1)- Jr had another strong car, but he just wasn't strong enough on restarts and ended the day finishing 2nd. A week after a win, this second place finish has Jr Nation going nuts.
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-4)- A week after he fell to 4th for a top 5 finish (crazy, I know) JJ finishes 6th. A 6th moves him back up a few spots, but JJ and the #48 team still arent quite on yet (which is scary after two top 10's).
- Brad Keselowski (LW-6)- Week two into the NASCAR season and some people are remembering why he has won a Championship. Even without his CC Paul Wolfe (who's wife gave birth) BK had another strong finish. He finished top 5 which is about how strong his car was and where he should have.
- Kevin Harvick (LW-8)- Harvick can make a case for almost any spot on this list, but let's take it step by step. As for Phoenix, well he would be ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, that's how good he was. One more week in the top 5 and he could grab the top spot. The rest of the SHR team is still in rough shape though.
- Jeff Gordon (LW-7)- Jeff Gordon has seemed remarkably happy to start the season and for good reason. That's because he has back to back top 5's to start the season.
- Matt Kenseth (LW-2)- After a stong Daytona run, Phoenix just seemed average for Kenseth. In fact non of the JGR drivers seemed like they could figure out Phoenix, so a 12th place finish isn't bad considering.
- Kyle Busch (LW-5)- Kyle got a top 10 out of a car that seemed to be maybe a top 20 car (9th)
- Joey Logano (LW-9)- Joey finishes 4th and still only moves up one spot? Well the start of 2014 has been tough towards the top. I will say this, if he keeps it up he will make his way up the charts soon. Loved his try at the lead on the last restart, he may have lost a spot at the end of the day, but it was a bold move.
- Denny Hamlin (LW-3)- Well, if Daytona said "I'm Back" then Phoenix reminded everyone that one race can bring you right back down to earth. DH looked less then steller all day and it showed with a 19th place finish.
- Casey Mears (LW-NR)- Last week Mears made the honorable mention, he jumped right past the Just Missed category into 10th this week after an impressive 14th just one week after a top 10.
- Carl Edwards (LW-NR)- Carl still seems like he is in a little slump even though he finished 8th on Sunday. I guess after last year I was just waiting for Carl to make his way up front. A top 10 is still a quality day.
- Jamie McMurray (LW-NR)- McMurray ran well at Daytona to start the season, which most of us have come to expect out of him at Daytona and Talladega, but he followed that up with a 10th at Phoenix after starting 3rd.
- Dopped Out: Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, and Greg Biffle
- Just Missed: Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle
- Honorable Mention: Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne
This week I had one correct tweet predicting the winner, Kevin Harvick. Wes Hill (@webzter3) correctly picked Harvick. I don't want to wait on the article anymore, so check back later and the actual tweet will be included (right now I am having technical difficulties with my phone sending the tweet, but it will get up here!)
Here is is, better late then never!
NASCAR moves onto Las Vegas for a little gambling in the desert. Hopefully for the first time this year we can leave the rain behind us. Look out later this week for the Vegas Preview, most likely Wednesday. Also, if you need a fantasy preview for Las Vegas check out ThisSportz.
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