2016 NASCAR Pit Road Week 14: Pocono

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Axalta We Paint Winners 400

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

By Richard Tix

Ran forced this past weeks race to Monday and a I also started a new position within my real job the same day of the race (yes, I don't get paid for this and it isn't my full time job). So, even this weeks articles got pushed back.

So, sorry for the rain delay folks. Because of the new position and a day weekday race I missed almost the whole race including twitter updates. However, I still took a peak at the results and some data and in the spirit of getting Behind the Wall, got the rankings up.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 14 (Week 13)

1. Kurt Busch (LW-2)- This win has been in the making for awhile now. Kurt had quietly been one of the most consistent drivers of 2016. It was his eighth straight top 10 and the win came by fuel strategy which shows a full team effort. Finish: 1st
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Not the best day for the No. 4 team but they still finished in the top 10. They have been fast and if they are just testing for the Chase then they could make a huge push. Finish: 9th
3. Brad Keselowski (LW-6)- BK gets the nod over Chase even after being ranked behind him last week because of two 2016 wins. Finish: 3rd
4. Chase Elliott (LW-5)- However, do not overlook how well Chase continues to do just because he got hopped by BK. Chase was a legit threat to win on Monday which would have been his first career Cup win. Instead he notched his fifth straight top 10 and his fifth top 5 of 2016. He now has 10 total top 10's which is third most. Finish: 4th
5. Matt Kenseth (LW-7)- Kenseth's hot run continues with a strong run at Pocono. He lead 31 laps on his way to his fourth straight top 10. Finish: 7th
6. Martin Truex Jr (LW-4)- Tough day for the No. 78 team after a strong win last week. Pocono was such a fun track for this team last year it was tough to see. Finish: 19th
7. Joey Logano (LW-10)- After starting the race second JoLo finished his second straight race in the top 10. This might be the time he turns things around. Finish: 5th
8. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- The rough patch continues. This team is fast, but wow bad luck. Finish: 31st
9. Carl Edwards (LW-9)- After a cold spell Carl Edwards snapped out of it at Pocono. He is still fourth overall in points even after a four race streak where he had three finishes outside the top 15. Finish: 8th
10. Jimmie Johnson (LW-8)- Just went JJ gets back on track he gets caught up in another wreck. Finish: 35th
11. Denny Hamlin (LW-11)- Hamlin took his back to back top 10's into Pocono and then the streak stopped. He didn't run bad but he didn't run well enough either. That really has been his 2016 story. Finish: 14th
12. Kyle Larson (LW-12)- I'm giving Larson a one week break because of how fun he has been to watch the few weeks before Pocono. Pocono was a step back but he has a chance to get it together at MIS. Finish: 11th

Dropped Out: None

Just Missed: Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ryan Blaney