2016 NASCAR Pit Road: Preseason

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Preseason

By Richard Tix

It's that time of year again. The weather is starting to turn the corner -- heck in Minnesota it is going to be in the 50's this week and might hit the 60's this weekend -- and the cars are about to roll off pit lane.

Haulers are being packed with tools and equipment and the cars are being loaded. Next stop, DAYTONA!

To start Daytona off right, I let the world of twitter decide which article would drop today. Apparently everyone want's to see how the Power Rankings will start before we even see a Cup car hit turn one at DIS. Fine by me! Since it is the preseason I will even dig deeper into this weeks Power Rankings. Most weeks only 12 drivers will make the cut, but to start the season off right I have listed 29 drivers in order. Sure, next week it will turn into 12, but for this week 29 drivers get to share the spotlight. 

Look out for the Behind the Wall Playoff predictions, Championship predictions, and the Daytona 500 Preview to be coming soon.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Preseason

1. Jimmie Johnson - Seven Cup Championships, 80 wins, 218 top fives, 330 top tens, and counting. Sometimes people do not realize it until it's too late, but we're witnessing greatness between JJ and Chad.
2. Kyle Busch - Rowdy couldn't go back to back in 2017, but he did make the final four again and gave himself a shot at a second title. He is just now hitting his prime, which is scary since he has a championship, 38 wins, 147 top fives, and 219 top tens already. 
3. Joey Logano - Ok, ok, so the first three all made the final four last year, what gives? Well, they were some of the better drivers of 2016 with no questions surrounding them in 2017. JoLo finished the year with six straight top tens that included two wins.
4. Martin Truex Jr - This team got to a point last season where they were finally able to "test" during races like the "big" teams of JGR, HMS, and Penske. At least that's what it felt like and the results seem to correspond. FRR was less consistent then in 2015, but won three more races in 2016. It will be interesting to see how a second FRR car mixes in with the No. 78's weekly speed.
5. Kevin Harvick - Fifth... No, I don't expect this to be long, but SHR does have to prove a few things with Ford until I fully trust "Happy." Then again, fifth to start the season also isn't a bad spot either.
6. Chase Elliott - Sophomore Slump? Maybe, but until it happens I am putting my faith in Chase to take another step in 2017. Sure, I had that same faith in Kyle Larson but that should just help me gain odds on my side. He's proved he can run consistently at times, but the real question is, when will he get his first win?
7. Brad Keselowski - BK was in a small handful of drivers who could have been considered the best driver of the 2016 regular season, however, that means nothing without the production in the Chase. The No. 2 team had a terrible finish to 2016 so a strong start in 2017 will be key.
8. Kyle Larson - One of the hardest drivers at the Cup level, can he take the next step after his first win of his career and first playoff appearance last season? 
9. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin had one of his best season's of his career last year and things at JGR are starting to become the Denny and Kyle show with Carl leaving and Kenseth aging. This might be the year where Hamlin makes a title push.
10. Matt Kenseth - Speaking of Kenseth, he still has something left in the tank for all these young guys, but will it be enough? I expect him to continue his consistency but he may fall short once again of the final four.
11. Kurt Busch - Year three at SHR was a lot like year two for Kurt and that's a pretty good thing as both were pretty good season's. He now has a win in all three years with SHR and will look to continue that in 2017.
12. Austin Dillon - AD finally took a step in the right direction at the Cup level after two years of no positive movement. So, after taking a nice step with four top fives and 13 top ten's, will he stall out again, or continue to be the best RCR driver like in 2016?
13. Dale Earnhardt Jr - First one left out on the normal rankings. I expect Junior to be inside the top 12 most of the season, but after missing a bunch of the end of 2016 it's only fair to other drivers that he slides a bit to start out.
14. Ryan Newman - Newman's consistency took a step back last season which left him a long way looking in at the playoff picture. He still is a threat to steal a win, but it hasn't happened in a long time so was it his last?
15. Clint Bowyer - The move to SHR could move him up the rankings fast or it could solidify his career down here. One thing's for sure, can't be worse than last year.
16. Kasey Kahne - Here we are again, talk of Kahne never ends with HMS faithful. Is this the year Kahne wins again? He shows flashes, but can lightning strike once again?
17. Ryan Blaney - How will year two go? Blaney's on track production was shadowed by Chase Elliott, but he started to become a social media star with Bubba Wallace as the season progressed.
18. Erik Jones - The talented JGR product moves up into the brand new No. 77 at FRR. He will head a nice rookie class along with Daniel Suarez and Ty Dillon.
19. Jamie McMurray - Can JMac win at a superspeedway in 2017?
20. Daniel Suarez - How will Suarez fill the shoes that were so abruptly left in the entry way by Carl Edwards?
21. Paul Menard - 2016 was not a good season for Menard. Heck, it was his worst since 2009 so it's only right that he turns it around at least a little in 2017.
22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr - If, IF, RFR can gain any type of speed in 2017 then I do believe Stenhouse could make some big strides. 2016 was his best year as a Cup driver but it still only ended with four top fives and six top ten's. Room for improvement is there if RFR can start to right the ship.
23. AJ Allmendinger - Road courses. Once again a road course win is the key for AJ, but he did have his most consistent season with JTG last year which will no doubt help his 2017 season.
24. Ty Dillon - Ty steps into the No. 13 and will try and take them to a level higher then where Mears had them capped at. However, will he be capable of doing that?
25. Landon Cassill - Landon is now the focus of FRM in 2017 after having his best season consitency-wise in 2016. Breaking the top 25 in the standings will be a nice move for he and the team.
26. Trevor Bayne - Just like Ricky, Bayne took a small baby step in the right direction last season. Will it continue this year? 
27. Danica Patrick - No top fives last season, but she still tied a career high for standing's finish (24th). How will she and SHR cope with all the sponsor drama heading into the season, though?
28. Aric Almirola - One RPM team left standing. 2016 was a big step back from 2015 and 2014 for the No. 43. Now a one car team, it will be interesting to see how they respond in 2017.
29. Chris Buescher - A win in 2016 put him in the Chase, how will 2017 shake out if it doesn't happen again?