Weekly Review and Power Rankings
Kobalt Tools 400
| Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images |
By Richard Tix
NASCAR headed West after it's first stop at a 1.5 mile track when they visited Atlanta Motor Speedway for the second race of 2016. After Jimmie Johnson won the first race of 2016 with the new low downforce aero package many fans and drivers were excited to see it at work again.
The second test of 2016 was Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but the car wasn't the only test.
Weather may have played the biggest factor on the race all day and gave us the largest storyline to follow as the race pushed forward. The day started with Kurt Busch on the pole and a competition caution because of rain fall overnight and into Sunday morning.
On top of the rain that may have washed some of the rubber away, wind gusts of 40-45 miles per hour before the green flag also played a huge factor. The ever changing wind gusts made it tough on drivers and teams alike. Drivers were left in the dark anticipating gusts while also trying to avoid any type of debris that the wind was blowing around.
After taking turns of Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, and Jimmie Johnson leading big chunks the race was weaning to a close. That was, until a mini sandstorm raised up and put a short halt to the race. Once we got going Kyle Busch bolted out front on a late restart against Joey Logano to a padded lead.
| AP Photo/Isaac Brekken |
Meanwhile, the once struggling Brad Keselowski was having a tough time in third getting around his teammate Joey Logano. After Brad took a lead earlier after a risky green flag pit stop move that had him sideways on the side skirt before pit entrance he was caught speeding on another stop. He worked his way up, needed cautions to save fuel, and had a legit shot to catch Kyle, that was if he could get around his own teammate.
Joey made him earn it, but once BK got around him it didn't take long for him to catch the 2015 Sprint Cup Champion. Kyle was starting to loose time on his laps and the faster No. 2 was there to take his lead. Once out front, the only thing to stop him would have been a caution that never came.
After a full season in 2015 where those late cautions seemed to come and take wins from a dominate Keselowski and White Deuce, this one didn't get away from him. After the race it still seemed like drivers were having a positive response to the new areo package and Keselowski seemed to be very genuine about how much it takes to win these races with this new package (which echo's what Jimmie and others had said last week).
The verdict is still out on the new package, but if you listen to just the drivers they would have you believe it is passing all the marks compared to the recent tries by NASCAR. Its refreshing to see them praising a car instead of being mute and not answering any questions about it in fear of saying something too negative. The first step in my opinion is a success and the true test will be to continue minor tweaking with driver and Goodyear input to put the perfect package and tire on each week at each unique track.
Pit Road Power Rankings Week 3 (Week 2)
- Kyle Busch (LW-2)- Parity. So far that has been how 2016 has started out in the first three races. However, the closest thing to a standout driver so far has been Kyle with his three top 5's. Finish: 4th
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-3)- JJ had one of the few cars to beat on Sunday at LVMS, but he just had too much ground to make up late. If a caution would have flown, I think JJ would have come away with the trip to victory lane. Finish: 3rd
- Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Sunday at Vegas was strange for Harvick and fans. He seemed to be very good, but for once he wasn't the guy to beat all day like he has been the past two years. He seemed like an after thought, though a very good after thought. Finish: 7th
- Brad Keslowksi (LW-7)- BK soaked in this victory after a drought and a tough 2015 season where he has one win. The question is, will he build on this and collect a few more unlike last season? It was a gutsy win to come back from the penalties and fuel scare late on. Finish: 1st
- Kurt Busch (LW-6)- Early on the pole winner was the guy to beat. Then he had a pit road penalty and was chasing the front the rest of the day. A win for he and SHR teammate Kevin Harvick seem to be right around the corner (Phoenix anyone?). Finish: 9th
- Joey Logano (LW-8)- JoLo seemed to be getting killed on every restart which seems to be the story of the day for he and his team. Other then that, he had a very fast car worth a top 5 finish: Finish: 2nd
- Martin Truex Jr (LW-4)- That was not the kind of day the No. 78 was looking for, however they fought through for a nice finish. These guys look like a team that will eventually get a win soon. Finish: 11th
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-11)- Juniors two top 10's in three races might be the quietest two in NASCAR. He hasn't had winning car's the last two weeks, but he is still getting it done with quality finishes. Finish: 8th
- Carl Edwards (LW-5)- After back 5th place finishes Carl got caught up in a wreck late and it ruined his day. However, once again he had a very tough time getting to the front. The No. 19 has to be the team who has worked the hardest to squeak out two top 5's so far. Nothing has come easy yet. Finish: 18th
- Austin Dillon (LW-NR)- Is Austin turning the page? He is 9th in points thru three races and had a nice day in Vegas on Sunday. He now has finishes of 9th, 11th, and 5th. Finish: 5th
- Denny Hamlin (LW-9)- Denny lead a few laps after gambling to stay out front, however it quickly back fired and he lost the same track position he gained. The No. 11 team had to try something as they seemed to be lagging behind most of the day. Finish: 19th
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr (LW-NR)- Ricky? Ricky Stenhouse Jr? Yes, the man famous for being Danica's boyfriend and not because of being a Nationwide Champion, has cracked the top 12. Ricky has finishes of 10th and 12th in his last two races and is the only real threat so far from RFR. Finish: 12th
Dropped Out: Matt Kenseth (10th) and Chase Elliott (12th)
Just Missed: Ryan Blaney and Kasey Kahne
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