Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Cheez-It 355 at the Glen" Week 22
By Richard Tix
This last week their was plenty of build up and anticipation for NASCAR heading back to a road course. Like every year, the "we need more road course" comments came back out, as did the "we need a road course in the Chase." Well, I can not say I disagree with either (I have been saying for awhile now add another road course and some more short track action).
WGI lived up to its hype again with another dramatic finish. This time it was partly due to fuel mileage, but non the less we had a last lap pass and plenty of entertainment. Except this year an underdog didn't win and no one stole a Chase spot.
The tracks are dwindling down for guys who have yet to have a 2015 win. With the last road course out of the way is there any chance of a 2015 win less driver to lock himself into the Chase via a visit to Victory Lane?
NASCAR heads to Michigan International Speedway this week and will test out a new high drag package (different but similar to Indy). MIS and this package might give a driver like Jeff Gordon, Paul Menard, or Kyle Larson a chance to steal one from the top teams. It will be interesting to watch it play out, also interesting? This weeks Power Rankings:
2015 Cheez-It 355 at the Glen Race Results- Racing Reference
Week 22 Power Rankings (Week 21)
- Kyle Busch (LW-1)- Rowdy has finally cracked the top 30 and is now in the Chase (as of this writing). Don't forget he still has to stay in the top 30 (currently in the good by 6 points). But, I expect him to stay there easily. Sunday he had a fast car and finished runner-up, so he has stayed hot. Finish: 2nd
- Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- It's hard not putting Harvick #1, but he hasn't won in 19 races (Phoenix). He is still notching top 5's left and right so he has no need to worry and is still a top title contender. Finish: 3rd
- Joey Logano (LW-5)- After running out of fuel in a very well run Pocono race and finishing 20th, JoLo bounced back in a big way Sunday winning the Cheez-It 355. It was his first win since the Daytona 500 and is now completely locked into the Chase: Finish: 1st
- Matt Kenseth (LW-2)- Five straight top 10 finishes, three of those were top 5's with a win at Pocono. Yes, the Pocono win was all based off of guys running short on fuel, but a win is a win and so is five straight top 10's. Finish: 4th
- Brad Keselowski (LW-4)- Brad also has five straight top 10's right now, and a few of those races he had a car capable of winning. Yet, he has come up short. BK looks to be a contender down the stretch. Side note: if you missed it check out his touching and emotional blog post from this week. Finish: 7th
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-6)- Jimmie and the #48 team fought for that top 10. It was a long day, but those kinds of finishes show up down the stretch in a Championship run. Finish: 10th
- Kurt Busch (LW-7)- Pocono's finish broke up his top 10 streak of seven straight, but on Sunday he started a new one. That is 10 top 10's in his last 12 races. Finish: 5th
- Carl Edwards (LW-8)- Carl has had a rough year overall, but things have been getting better. He has four top 10's in his last five races and lead at least one lap in three of those. The speed and finishes are starting to turn a corner. Finish: 8th
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-9)- Deja vu? Jr started 7th and finished 11th at WGI. WGI is not one of Jr's favorites, but he once again just missed the top 10 and salvaged a day turning right. Finish: 11th
- Clint Bowyer (LW-12)- Another top 10 for Bowyer means he can continue to stress a bit less. An even bigger outcome on Sunday? AJ Allmendinger (or any win less driver) didn't win. Finish: 6th
- Kyle Larson (LW-NR)- Someone's parody account on Twitter may finally rejoice (although I am sure he will ask to be higher...). It wasn't what Larson needed, but he is on a stretch of good finishes so maybe the win is around the corner? Finish: 12th
- Paul Menard (LW-NR)- Menard is now second only to Jamie McMurray in non win Chase points. Meaning, he is the second guy to get in on points if the Chase started today. Finish: 13th
Dropped Out: Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin
Just Missed: Ryan Newman
Honorable Mention: Sam Hornish Jr (9th)
No comments:
Post a Comment