2015 Week 7 Pit Road: Texas

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 7: Duck Commander 500

By Richard Tix

NASCAR had a week off to let drivers and teams relax and spend time with there family during the Easter weekend, but got right back at it for the season's first Saturday Night race. Some teams used the time to regroup and other's were sent to test at Richmond during the off week but they all gathered back at Texas Motor Speedway to kick off another leg of the season.

Kurt Busch started the weekend off by taking his second pole of the 2015 season in just four races back. He did lead 45 laps on the night but in the end was not a contender in the closing laps. Instead it was a race between Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Joey Logano.

Ironically, all four of those guys have been tough to beat all year. Most of the night it was really who could beat Johnson or Harvick and it came down to both of those driver, but Johnson and the #48 were just too strong. 

It was Johnson's second win of 2015 which locks him in the Chase and also his 5th career Texas Motor Speedway win (first in the Spring). JJ has now won 4 of the last 6 Texas races which has to be the next most impressive run behind Kevin Harvicks run at Phoenix). His 5 wins at Texas is also the most among current drivers (Carl Edwards has 3).

NASCAR is back to short track racing at Bristol this next weekend and then off to Richmond to end out short track leg. So, did anyone take down Kevin Harvick this week and his #1 Power Rankings spot?

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 7 (Week 6)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- One time, just one time in 2015 has Harvick finished outside the top 2. But this week at Texas Harvick got back on the top 2 streak after leading a second best 96 laps. Finish: 2nd
2. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- Both Penske cars have been strong to start the year just like 2014. Noth are still looking to find a bit more to catch Harvick, but lucky for them so are the Hendrick cars. BK fought back after he messed up on a pit stop and was penalized (It's confirmed the Orange Cone is still alive). Finish: 5th
3. Martin Truex Jr (LW-3)- Truex's finish to 2014 gave a lot of #78 fans optimism heading into 2015, but not many thought he would start out the season with 7 straight top 10's. He only has one top 5, but on this pace he can make the Chase and then anything can happen (example: Newman in 2014). Finish: 9th
4. Joey Logano (LW-4)- JoLo's top 10 streak to start 2015 continues (7 races). He also has lead a lap in 6 of 7 races this season. On top of that, he only has one start outside the top 10 (13th at Fontana). Finish: 4th
5. Jimmie Johnson (LW-12)- Two wins and still JJ is in 5th.... It's rough going this year to climb to the top as some of these other guys have been just way to consistent to knock down a notch. As of right now the top 6-8 drivers are all strong contenders week to week so this is no knock against JJ. Finish: 1st
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-9)- Speaking of strong contenders, Jr has been good week after week. Does everyone remember last year when Harvick was one of the fastest drivers week to week but bad luck and pit mistakes cost him consistency? Jr hasn't been as strong as Harvick in 2014, but he has been very, very good thus far if you take out some rough luck. It was also Kevin and Childers first year together.... Finish: 3rd
7. Jeff Gordon (LW-7)- After a slow start finish wise, that also had some bad luck, Gordon and Gustafson seem to be on to something. They have 4 straight top 10's but haven't cracked the top 5 yet. Finish: 7th
8. Kasey Kahne (LW-10)- If you take the wins out of the Chase standings then Kahne is 5th in total points. That is a 180 from last year's run where he needed a last second win at Atlanta to get into the Chase. Finish: 8th 
9. Denny Hamlin (LW-8)- Denny Hamlin seems to be a bit stronger in 2015 then he was most of 2014 (JGR in general seems that way). After a win heading into NASCAR's first break, Hamlin came back out and had an ok run at Texas. One of the biggest things that seems to still be nagging him is his starting position. Finish: 11th
10. Kurt Busch (LW-5)- Kurt has been strong since coming back this year and it is refreshing to see after a rough first season with SHR in 2014. He took the pole for Saturday night but wasn't in position to finish the race. Finish: 14th
11. Jamie McMurray (LW-NR)- JMac has a top 5 and three top 10's in his last four races. He had a strong car Saturday at Texas and found himself towards the front when the race was winding down. He also lead a few laps on his way to another top ten. Finish: 6th
12. Carl Edwards (LW-NR)- Carl takes his JGR teammate Matt Kenseth spot in the rankings this week. It's actually Carl's first time back in the top 12 since the start of the year. Texas also happened to be his first top 10 of 2015. Finish: 10th

Dropped Out: Matt Kenseth (LW-6) and Ryan Newman (LW-11)

Just Missed: David Ragan

Honorable Mention: Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Finish: 15th), Greg Biffle (Finish: 17th), and Trevor Bayne (Finish: 18th)