2015 Week 11 Pit Road: Kansas

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 11: SpongeBob SquarePants 400

By Richard Tix

This week NASCAR Behind the Wall will be keeping the review short and sweet for this past weekends Kansas race. Most of that had to do with I missed a good chunk of the race for the first time in 2015 and I don't want to sit here and feed you crap.

Once again mother nature tried to ruin everyone's night for the Cup race on Saturday night. All week NASCAR fans follow the weather especially when we get early week reports of rain, this week was no different. The race got started on time, but most of us watching the radar could tell it was only a matter of time before the rain caught up with NASCAR.

Once the rain hit fans and drivers sat, waiting, and waiting to get going again. Eventually late in the evening NASCAR got the track dry and started back up.

Late in the race NASCAR had a caution with about 8 to go for a late restart. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr gambled and decided to stay out. Both drivers had wins already and are pretty much locks to make the Chase, so why not?

It ended up paying off for JJ in a big way as he held off a late charge by Harvick for the win (Harvick had two fresh tires). 

Once again, Kansas showed that JJ and Harvick are at the top of the pack when it comes to 1.5 mile tracks right now. Everyone else is just fighting for spots behind them. This week NASCAR has a "bye" week as we head to Charlotte for the All Star Race. JJ will take his Kansas win to a track and race that he has been down right dominate in the past at. 

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 11 (Week 10)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-2)- It is time, its hard to dethrone Harvick from the top spot when he finishes second and leads more laps then JJ, but look at JJ's finishes since his win at Texas. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. The #48's 1.5 game is on right now. Finish: 1st
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- Maybe this move is just for the sake of switching things up? But really, its like a 1a an 1b situation, as both are on top of there game. Finish: 2nd
3. Martin Truex Jr The 9th place finish was somewhat disappointing after how well he was running mid race. At one point it looked like he had the car to beat and he may finally get one in 2015. Finish: 9th
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-5)- The late gamble didn't pay off for Jr like it did for JJ, but it was still a good call. Jr brought the 88 home in a top 5 spot with others around him with fresher tires. Finish: 3rd
5. Kurt Busch (LW-4)- Kurt lead 20 laps on the night but during the last restart wasn't in a great spot to get to the front for a win. It's still a fresh start in 2015 compared to 2014, but he will need to work on late race finishing. Finish: 8th
6. Jeff Gordon (LW-6)- Gordon finished top 5 after not leading a lap and running the race in an average position of 10th. It was a good finish for the #24 team that is still looking for a win. Finish: 4th
7. Joey Logano (LW-7)- JoLo is on a better pace in 2015 then he was in 2014 and he finished 4th in 2014. His big problem, Harvick and JJ are on a tear. Finish: 5th
8. Matt Kenesth (LW-10)- Kenseth just keeps hanging around this year while JGR smooths things over. Kenseth has been the best guy at JGR this season, but it isn't saying much. Finish: 6th
9. Ryan Newman (LW-9)- Seriously, Newman is up to 13th in the points. He maybe fine after all even if he doesn't win. 9 top 12's and 7 top 10's in 11 races. Finish: 10th
10. Brad Keselowski (LW-11)- His bad luck streak ended in Kansas, but that didn't mean he had luck on his side. He had a good car that lead 43 laps but was too far out on the last restart to make a move and JJ and Harvick were just stronger. Finish: 7th
11. Jamie McMurray (LW-8)- JMac is on a list of guys who are running well but have yet to get a win. It seems like more and more drivers are just getting quality finishes and will try and make it on points. Worked for Newman, might work for JMac as well. Finish: 13th
12. Aric Almirola (LW-NR)- Speaking of quality finishes week after week, Aric is stitting 11th in the points while being overlooked. That's because he 7 top 15's and 10 top 20's in 11 race's, but zero top 10's. That's good enough to get you into the Chase, but would be an early drop out. Finish: 11th

Dropped Out- Paul Menard

Just Missed- AJ Allmendinger

Honorable Mention- Greg Biffle (RFR top 15!!!! 13th)

Jeff with his 3rd of the year, first since Martinsville

Back to back weekends for NBTW