Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Irwin Tools Night Race
By Richard Tix
NASCAR headed to Bristol Motor Speedway for the second time this season for the Irwin Tools Night Race. Personally, this race is always towards the top of my season "must see races." Well, unfortunately this year I missed almost the entire race. So, we will not get too deep into a race review because I want to witness them first hand to actually give a review.
The race did continue a few themes as of late. Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske once again showed why they're a step ahead of everyone (not to forget about Harvick who is right with them). Joey Logano won his second race in the past three races to make sure NASCAR fans haven't forgotten Ford still has two dominate cars.
Bristol also reminded us that even when HMS are struggling they're not completely out of it (at least the 48 and 88). Neither were real threats to win, but both fought through and posted quality finishes that will be needed when the Chase rolls around the corner.
Lets get to the power rankings and who rose and who fell after BMS.
Pit Road Power Rankings Week 24 (Week 23)
- Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Only two wins all season, but it sure doesn't feel like it. That's because "Happy" has finished 2nd a whopping 10 times, plus he has finished 3rd three times. Even if he doesn't win, that could be enough to get him back to back Championships. Finish: 2nd
- Joey Logano (LW-4)- Saturdays win marked JoLo's 3rd win of 2015 and his second in three races. Right now its JGR 1A, Penske 1B, and Harvick 1C with everyone else just trying to catch back up. Finish: 1st
- Kyle Busch (LW-2)- After Bristol's top 10, "Rowdy" is closing in on RFR's Stenhouse Jr and Bayne in just 13 races. That's how far RFR has fallen and also how good Kyle has been. Finish: 8th
- Brad Keselowski (LW-5)- For how far off all the other Ford's are it is really amazing where Penske still sits. I would argue that JoLo and BK are step's above all the other Ford drivers, but they also have some quality cars. BK now has 7 straight top 10's. Finish: 6th
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-6)- It's a weird time right now at HMS. For the first time in awhile they're not the top dogs in the sport and it is showing. However, Jr has been pushing through it all and been a standout in the shop. If they get it straightened out he could be in place to compete. Finish: 9th
- Matt Kenseth (LW-3)- Rough luck at a track where he has been very good at lately. After his recent run he is in the thick of things when it comes to title talks. Finish: 42nd
- Carl Edwards (LW-7)- If it wasn't obvious even when Carl was struggling to start the year, it is now, he is glad to be gone from RFR. Six top 10's in his last seven and the other was a 13th place finish at Indy. He and JGR are coming on strong at the right time. Finish: 7th
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-8)- It's been a roller coaster lately for JJ, but on Saturday he had a bright spot. He still didn't lead a lap (now 7 straight races), but the top 5 put MIS in the mirror. Finish: 4th
- Clint Bowyer (LW-NR)- After a rough finish at MIS the top 5 at BMS was clutch for Bowyer. He now has a 35 point lead on 17th in the standings and should get in barring no new winners below him in the points. Finish: 5th
- Denny Hamlin (LW-NR)- Hamlin won the pole for Saturdays race, led a few laps, and finished in the top 5, not much more he could do but get the win. He is part of the JGR clan that has been hot for the past month and a half and it could lead to another shot at Miami. Finish: 3rd
- Ryan Newman (LW-12)- He is doing it again. Finishes like this will get Newman through the first 6 Chase races and then all he has to do is be one of the four best for the last four. He is showing it is possible to get to the Chase in more than one way. Finish: 10th
- Kurt Busch (LW-10)- It was a fun run for Kurt when he returned, but lately the #41 has fallen off a bit. In his last four he only has one top 10 (a top 5) and only two top 15's, which is not good for a guy of his caliber. Finish: 14th
Dropped Out: Kyle Larson and Paul Menard
Just Missed: Jamie McMurray and Austin Dillon
Honorable Mention: Justin Allgaier (12th) and Trevor Bayne (15th)
No new winners this week in the Season Long Leaderboard. NASCAR takes an off week before heading to Darlington for Labor Day weekend. NBTW will still have articles this week including an early addition of the Darlington Preview and also the 2015 Darlington Paint Schemes Page!
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