Pit Road Week 15: Michigan

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 15

By Richard Tix

Remember when Jimmie Johnson was win less in 2014? It wasn't that long ago. JJ fan's were picking races where he would snap out of it and JJ haters were celebrating. Just four short races ago JJ was win less and now he already has 3 total on the season. How times have changed.

Michigan International Speedway once again came down strategies and the team with the best one ended up winning. So in essence, different day, same story when it comes to JJ, Chad, and the #48 team. But this time it was different, because JJ had never won at MIS and it seemed like every time he was in position to something happened. Now, only four tracks remain on JJ's list to concur which will JJ fans rejoicing and JJ haters cringing in pain (and a few threatening to stop watching because they think he is ruining the sport. Don't get me started on that topic. All you need to know is that those kinds of statements are the dumbest ones I have heard. Because Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Boston Celtics, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Yankees have all ruined there sports too.....)

Here are the Quicken Loans 400 results if you missed the race or you just need a refresher.

Pit Road: Power Rankings Week 15 (Week 14)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- Being atop the rankings is something that Jimmie is getting used to again. Watch out folks, he could stay here for awhile.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-2)- 7th place finish isn't what Dale Jr was looking for at MIS, but it also isn't something to complain about. Plus, he once again gave Twitter followers and awesome after race, late night Q&A.
3. Jeff Gordon (LW-3)- Well the top 4 drivers didn't move in the standings. All had good enough days that I really didn't feel one jumping the other was worth it. 2-4 all are interchangeable so not much to see here. Once again, Gordon had a good car and a good day while finishing 6th.
4. Brad Keselowski (LW-4)- BK finished about where he should have on Sunday, 3rd. He had a good car, but to win it would have taken some luck and great calls. He did what he could on the day and makes it three finishes of 3rd or better in the last three races. He is in prime form right now.
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-7)- Harvick, as always, was a front runner on Sunday. If it wasn't for some tough luck he would be 1 or 2 every single week. I take into consideration some consistency though because team chemistry will come into play in the Chase. This team has got it, as long as trouble stays away.
6. Matt Kenseth (LW-5)- Not much to talk about when bringing up Kenseths day at MIS. He finished 14th which is exactly where his average running position was. The whole JGR team just didn't seem to have enough HP on Sunday. 
7. Jamie McMurray (LW-8)- McMurray ran most of his day at MIS up front (Average running position of 11th) and then he eventually finished 12th but, once again he showed some speed. It is the second time in the last four races that he just missed on a top 10 (the other two races he finished 10th and 5th).
8. Kyle Larson (LW-12)- Extra aero help with part of his bumper being gone or not, this kid is doing a great job learning on the fly. After his early mishap he drove from the back to the front. Then, he got a speeding penalty and again made is way towards the front. He had his highest pass differential of the season with +37 on Sunday.
9. Joey Logano (LW-11)- The two Penske Ford's were really the only two Fords that had a shot on Sunday (then again, this is the case most weeks). I'm sure a 9th place finish isn't what JoLo wanted but after engine problems late at Pocono it was a finish he needed to get back on track.
10. Paul Menard (LW-NR)- Menard started his weekend off by wining the Nationwide race (not another Cup driver!!! Ha). Then he had a very nice day on Sunday. Menard is doing what he needs to to make a run at the Chase this year. As I type this he is sitting in 13th points position with 4 top 10's in his last 6 (including a top 5). 
11. Clint Bowyer (LW-NR)- Its been a tough season for Bowyer so far, but most haven't realized that he has run pretty well over his last three races. Finishes of 4th, 11th, and 10th this week might be enough to turn it around going into Sonoma.
12. Denny Hamlin (LW-6)- Just hanging on, I'll give DH the pass because the whole JGR team didn't have enough power to compete this week. He did get caught up in late incident with Aric Almirola, but he wasn't exactly running top 15 at the time. After two top 5's in a row, Denny had hands down his worst race of the season after running in an average position of 25th, running 1 lap in the top 15, and finishing 29th.

Dropping Out: Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards

Just Missed: Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman

Honorable Mention: Justin Allgaier, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Danica Patrick

Not a very high voter turn out this week on Twitter (a lot of that had to do witth the fact that I didn't ask until late Saturday, sorry). But I did have one voter pick JJ for the win.

NASCAR now heads to Sonoma to shake it up and turn right. This race is a wild card race and every driver is going to be pushing for a win. A win and you are in the Chase so both road courses will be must watches!