Week 15 Pit Road: Michigan

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Week 15: Quicken Loans 400

By Richard Tix

Yes, NASCAR was still running its weekend races, but NASCAR Behind the Wall was not around. I appologize again as I was out of the country in Mexico on my honeymoon. I did actually try to find the Pocono race last Sunday, but had no such luck.

I was back for the rain filled Sunday race at Michigan, though. So, we skip a week of rankings but I will still put in a two week judgement when jumping from Week 13 rankings to these Week 15 rankings.

As always, the first Michigan race gets my blood flowing and ready for the race in August. I have yet to miss the August race since 2006 and am already in full race mode to get back! But, enough of that, lets get to the latest Power Rankings. **Keep in mind the "LW" is actually from week 13**

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 15

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-3)- After his Pocono win I would have had him second Week 14, but with all the bad luck Harvick and JJ had during the rain filled MIS race, its his time to shine. His previous finishes in order give him this spot (3rd, 1st, 6th, 5th, 9th, 5th, and 10th). Other than Bristol (29th) he has top 10's in 14 of 15 races...Amazing. Finish: 3rd
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- It was bad luck holding Harvick up. The #4 team hasn't seen a lot of that in 2015, after a regular season full of it in 2014. Maybe the good luck will run out? If not a second title is very favorable. Finish: 29th
3. Jimmie Johnson (LW-2)- JJ also found a rough spot at MIS, but ran well at Pocono and finished 3rd. The #48 team has plenty of room to gamble the rest of the way and Chad is always looking for new ways to gain an edge. They may have had a rough finish but don't look for them to be down too long. Finish 19th
4. Joey Logano (LW-8)- JoLo seems to have found another good stretch which was needed for the #22 team. He hasn't been running bad, but he started 2015 as the strongest competition to Harvick before drifting. Finish: 5th
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-4)- Jr didn't find his 2014 groove at Pocono (11th), but did have a strong MIS showing. It was a good finish with the rain day, but he only led one lap on the day so more can be found. Finish: 2nd
6. Kurt Busch (LW-9)- In the time NBTW was gone Kurt found a two top 10's which included a win at MIS on Sunday. He only led 6 laps, but he led the one that mattered. Either way, he is now locked (for sure) in the Chase. Finish: 1st
7. Jamie McMurray (LW-NR)- Since Dover, JMac has been the lucky #7. Meaning, he has 3 straight finishes of 7th which is very consistent. Don't get me wrong, JMac has a shot at a win still (possibly Daytona), but he may not need it because he is sitting pretty in points (7th ins points. Lucky 7). Finish: 7th
8. Brad Keselowski (LW-6)- A bit of a slip for BK, but Pocono didn't go his way. The #2 still has been pretty fast, but he hasn't been able to finish for some reason or another. Meanwhile, the #22 has. Both are safely in the Chase, but are looking for more W's. Finish: 6th
9. Matt Kenseth (LW-10)- Kenseth was coming off a 39th place Dover finish last time these rankings came around. Unfortunately for him there isn't much room to move after good finishes at Pocono and MIS. Finish: 4th
10. Kasey Kahne (LW-11)- Kahne is running well, but still not great. Its great to see him much more consistent this year compaired to 2014, which has kept him in the rankings most of the season. Yet, he hasn't put enough together to climb up them yet. Finish: 15th
11. Jeff Gordon (LW-5)- Will Gordon get a win in 2015? After last year it was crazy to think he wouldn't, but will it happen before the Chase? He may not need it because he still is 10th in points, but he is 13th in the Chase Standings. So, he doesn't have a lot or room to budge. Finish: 21st
12. Denny Hamlin (LW-NR)- Hamlin is having another weird season in 2015. He has a win, which is great and gets him to the Chase, but he also has a very high about of 20+ finishes (7 in 15 races). Right now he has a string of finishes with the same results as all season (8th, 21st, 10th, and 11th). Finish: 11th

Dropped Out: Ryan Newman (LW-7) and Paul Menard (LW-12)

Just Missed: Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson

That's it for this week's Power Rankings. Check back in for this weekends TV/Race Schedule, Entry List, and Weekend Preview for Sonoma! Thanks for checking NBTW out as always.