Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Pure Michigan 400
By Richard Tix
Another successful trip to Michigan International Speedway is in the books for NASCAR Behind the Wall. Once again the experience was top notch. The MIS staff was friendly and helpful and Roger Curtis brought it when he packed the house (it was a nice sized crowd on Sunday).
However, that is where most of the enjoyment ended on race day. NASCAR was trying out its second High Downforce Package at MIS and it was, well, a drag. It didn't help facilitate passing and most of the day was single file racing with Matt Kenseth leading the way time after time.
Matt Kenseth was the top of the class all day, so nothing you can do to take the win from him, but it seemed to be too easy for the leader to pull away every restart. So, high downforce isn't the answer (most of us thought that, but now we know for sure).
I am glad NASCAR gave it a shot because they're doing it for the fans, drivers, and product. So, before going off on how terribe it is just understand they had to give it a shot. That being said, I hope this is the last time NASCAR tries this high downforce package. Not many people I came accross enjoyed the product it produced.
The most telling sign had to be was when drivers were asked about it post race and most either talked about something else (Harvick) or said something like it is NASCAR's decision, we just have to drive it (Keselowski). Some didn't even comment at all which say it all.
The most telling sign had to be was when drivers were asked about it post race and most either talked about something else (Harvick) or said something like it is NASCAR's decision, we just have to drive it (Keselowski). Some didn't even comment at all which say it all.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone at MIS and track president Roger Curtis for housing such a great event. It really is more than a race when you go to Michigan and they invite you like family. If you have yet to go, get your schedule opened up for next June, August, or both!
- Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- Harvick has three more top 5's and top 10's than the next closest driver (Logano). He has lead a lap in the last five races and 20 of 23 laps. That is how often he is up front. Those kinds of stats could make it a cake walk for him to get to the final four. Finish: 2nd
- Kyle Busch (LW-1)- He put himself in a whole after he spun in practice and had to go to the back up car. Before that, he qualified 6th and had a great car all weekend. Unfortunatly, track position was key so he never could get close enough. His run all the way up the field was impressive and about the only passing we saw all day. Finish: 11th
- Matt Kenseth (LW-4)- I jumped him up this list a few weeks ago and got a lot of flack for it, well how about now? He has six straight top 10's including two wins, and four top 5's. He dominated on Sunday after leading 146 of 200 laps. I have said it for a few weeks now, but JGR is on fire right now. Finish: 1st
- Joey Logano (LW-3)- Tough crowd, second in points and 4th in the Power Rankings. But, these are not based solely on where a driver is in points (I also want to mention many of the top 4 are interchangeable right now and you can make a case for any of them). Finish: 7th
- Brad Keselowski (LW-5)- Fan or not, that MGD throwback scheme was sharp and would have looked nice in VL. BK really only had a top 10 car all day and that's where he finished. Finish: 9th
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-9)- Hendrick and Co didn't have the best day on Sunday, the lone bright spot was Jr. It wasn't a great day, but it was another quality day to get him onto Bristol. Finish: 10th
- Carl Edwards (LW-8)- If you need any evidence past Kenseth and Busch winning for a JGR resurgence, just look at Carl's fight back. He started the year off very slow and he now has five top 10's in six races (the other being a 13th place finish). Finish: 6th
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-6)- It was a long day for JJ at MIS this past Sunday. He overshot his pit stall once and then spun in turn four. He will bounce back, but he has looked human in 2014 and 2015. Finish: 39th
- Kyle Larson (LW-11)- His top 15 finish is not going to move him up these rankings fast, nor do they help him in his Chase hopes, but it also is a sign of a bit more consistency. Finish: 13th
- Kurt Busch (LW-7)- Kurt just hasn't seemed to be contending for wins as often as he was when he first came back and was on fire. However, he is still getting top 10 finishes. That wasn't the case on Sunday where he had a rough run. Finish: 20th
- Paul Menard (LW-12)- Menard is doing enough, but he also isn't doing too little. Right now he would make the Chase, but in no way will he move on if he continues to just get top 15 finishes. He needs to find a bit more to find some extra top 10's along the way. Finish: 12th
- Ryan Newman (LW-NR)- He is doing it again.... Only four top 5's, but if he runs this consistent he could still get to the last eight, with a shot at a final four again. His 16 top 15's and 19 top 10's are keeping him from dropping out of the Chase picture. Finish: 8th
Dropped Out: Clint Bowyer
Just Missed: Denny Hamlin
Honorable Mention: Austin Dillon (2nd)
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