2016 Pit Road Week 34: Texas

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

AAA 500

PHOTO BY MATT SULLIVAN/NASCAR VIA GETTY IMAGES

By Richard Tix

Death, taxes, and NASCAR fans crying out "conspiracy." These things are a known in life, the rest we just have to take'em as they come. Even in a race where mother nature herself brought a race to a halt, fans still somehow, someway, want to find some underlying theory that NASCAR "rigged" another race.

To that I say, "tinfoil and aliens with black helicopters chasing you."

It's an unfortunate event, but weather plays a role in every sport. In ours, racing, it could end the whole thing on the spot. Before I go too far, yes I believe after NASCAR gives it a shot and checks out the radar, its the rule to call the race. Many things go into this decision and this is the rule for many, many reasons most fans overlook.

Without getting too deep the scheduling alone for drivers, teams, track workers and officials, fans, etc are a nightmare to worry about. The cost of opening a track back up and getting it ready for 40 laps on another day just seem like a crazy idea if you actually could see the raw numbers. Let alone the fact that the rain could come back the next day and then the question of how long you postpone it creeps into everyone's minds. 

The rule the way it is works and should stand pat.

However, before it ever happens I think NASCAR needs to take a look at Homestead and its weather rules. I am fine with a regular season race or even a Chase race ending in rain. In my opinion, it is what it is and its terrible luck. Too much goes into it to keep postponing and restarting the race once the track is lost. On that note, the last race of the season should have to end complete. It decides a Champion and no other sport is going to leave us hanging in the 8th inning and call it during game 7. So, NASCAR needs to make sure Homestead is complete even if it takes three days.

In a dream world, the last race of the season is in whole without interruption, but that can never be guaranteed so we will have to settle for a complete race.

Now that this weeks rant is over, bring on the Power Rankings.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 34 (Week 32)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-2)- Five of his fifteen top 10's have come in eight Chase races. The other three finishes were 12th at Chicagoland, 23rd at Dega when he didn't need it, and 11th this week when he once again didn't need it. He is locked in and ready for winner take all at Homestead.
2. Joey Logano (LW-5)- Four top three finishes in eight Chase races, yet he seems to be getting overlooked because he only has two wins in 2016. People forget he has the second most top 10's all season.
3. Carl Edwards (LW-8)- Look, I haven't been impressed by his Chase at all, but he got it done at Texas and now heads to a couple good tracks. Will Carl be joining Twitter?
4. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- His only non top 10 this Chase? Talladega where he laid back. His only non top 5's other then obviously Dega? Chicagoland 8th and Charlotte 6th. Yet, not many people are talking repeat... Watch out.
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Only 18 points out, but its practically must win in the round of eight back that many points. Luckily Harvick gets Phoenix, his best track since 2012. Only a wreck or mechanical failure might be able to stop him and the bull.
6. Matt Kenseth (LW-4)- JGR cars have seemed to have lost a step. Is it because other teams like Hendrick or Penske can focus on one car and they're focusing on four? They're fast, but not winning fast lately..
7. Denny Hamlin (LW-6)- DH is two points back from Rowdy and only one back from Kenseth who is in fourth right now. That's a ton of JGR cars going at it for the final two spots, and that's if Harvick doesn't win. If he does they will be going after one spot.
8. Kurt Busch (LW-7)- I have been riding him off all year. I am not sure why, but I haven't been impressed with how he has ran. He can prove me wrong with a clinching win Sunday.
9. Chase Elliott (LW-9)- I feel like some are forgetting this is just Chase's rookie season. The Chase may have ended early, but he is still having a really good season.
10. Martin Truex Jr (LW-NR)- It's going to be interesting to see this late season momentum go into the offseason with two teams in 2017.
11. Brad Keselowski (LW-12)- BK is easily the best driver for 2016 not still in the Chase, but if Harvick doesn't get it done at PIR he could join him on the outside looking in.
12. Austin Dillon (LW-9)- I am giving AD the pass this week. He was running really well before his run in with the "bull," also known as Kevin Harvick. It looked like a racing thing, but either way it was a rough finish to a good night for AD.