2015 Pit Road Week 3: Las Vegas

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 3 Kobalt Tools 400

By Richard Tix

After winning Pole Qualifying on Friday it finally looked like Jeff Gordons 2015 luck would turn around. That was until he and Danica got into it during Saturdays final Cup practice moving Gordon into a back up car and the rear of the field.

That left the door open early for Joey Logano when the green flag dropped and he took advantage. JoLo held the lead going into a lap 25 competition caution (new Goodyear tires was the reason for the comp caution). Dale Earhnardt Jr won the race off of pit road with Joey following but when it went green JoLo took the lead back. 

Joey held the lead from laps 1 through 42 until Jimmie Johnson took the lead from him. The first green flag stops came around lap 73 while JJ was still leading. After the green flag stops cycled through JJ took the lead back but then the second caution of the day dropped on lap 80 for debris.

The green flag dropped on lap 86 with JJ leading but on lap 91 Harvick took the lead and didn't look back. More green flag stops came around lap 128 and Brad Keselowski lost a tire into the infield while pitting. JoLo stayed out during the cycle and the yellow eventually came when he was pitting (BK's tire). Once back to green Harvic again took the lead early until Martin Truex took it from him on lap 146, but Harvick quickly fought back and once again took the lead a few laps later.

A few other cautions came out late in the race when JJ had a tire go down (twice), but the same story stayed true with Harvick retaining the lead. The last bit of gambling and hope for other drivers was when Newman, Keselowski, and a few others stayed out on the last green flags stops hoping for a caution that would never come. All the guys who stayed out eventually had to make green flags stops leaving Harvick out front with Truex the only one with a shot. In the next Martin Truex Jr just didn't have enough to catch Harvick who was just too strong all day and brought it to VL.

Next week NASCAR heads to Phoenix where Kevin Harvick has been almost unbeatable. So, if you take the roll of top 2 finishes Harvick is on and his recent domination of Phoenix, can anyone stop him from going back to VL next week?

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 3 (Week 2)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- He has been just as good if not better in 2015 as he was in 2014 and if you have a short memory he won the Championship in 2014. Its scary, really. Once he got the lead on Sunday no one could really challenge him except for a few trying a gamble. Finish: 1st
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-4)- Once again he was strong on Sunday, but just couldn't get the win. Its coming if he keeps having strong cars like he has started in 2015. Just think, he and Greg only have three Cup races together in 2015. Finish: 4th
3. Joey Logano (LW-2)- Its starting to be a theme to see JoLo qualify up front and then watch him jump out front early. Unfortunatly it has also been a theme that he falls off a bit once he loses the early lead. No matter, this team is already locked into the Chase. Finish: 10th
4. Martin Truex Jr (LW-5)- The feel good story so far in 2015 continues for another week. This team is really gaining momentum and its perfect for this Colorado team on the West Coast swing. Finish: 2nd
5. Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- The top guy last week had a strong run until he had a vibration and brought it to pit road. He then went down, hit the wall a few times, and never got back. But lest not over look how strong his car still was. Finish: 41st
6. Brad Keselowski (LW-7)- He has had a pretty decent Penske Ford to start 2015, but not a lot to show for it as he has worked to make it that good each week. Penalties and some early handling issues held him back, but he still managed a decent finish. Finish: 7th
7. Kasey Kahne (LW-6)- A really really strong run was ruined when he ran out of room next to Carl Edwards late in the race. He had a top 5 car all day and most likely would have finished there if not for that run it. Finish: 17th
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-9)- Denny never seemed to have a car to win it on Sunday, but he did have a top 10 car for most of it. He quietly put the 11 in position in the end to finish in the top 5. Finish: 5th
9. Matt Kenseth (LW-8)- Back to back weeks where it was almost like Kenseth was not in the race, yet he came up with a top 10 finish. It might just be a slow start, but the slow start is still resulting in decent runs. Finish: 9th
10. AJ Allmendinger (LW-11)- The other great story so far in 2015, AJ Allmendinger. After a Chase bid last year it really looks like this team is starting to gain momentum on 1.5 mile tracks, which means he may not even need a road course win to get in this year. Finish: 6th
11. Ryan Newman (LW-NR)- Last years target for fans to take out there hatred on the new Chase, Newman again proved consistency will keep you in the game. He tried to gamble late by staying out but no caution came. He still brought home a nice finish. Finish: 3rd
12. Paul Menard (LW-NR)- Menard makes his first appearance in the top 12 after a good run where he started 24th and almost clinched a top 10. Finish: 12th

Just Missed- Greg Biffle and Kyle Larson

Dropped Out- Casey Mears and Clint Bowyer

Well, finally we had more than one person who got it correct (and let me know). Next week I am sure Kevin Harvick will be a popular pick to win back to back races and officially be locked into the Chase. Thanks for Checking out NASCAR Behind the Wall!