2018 NASCAR Pit Road Week 15: Michigan

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Michigan International Speedway

By Richard Tix

Rain, Rain go away.... Just kidding, seeing a Clint Bowyer win is always classic. I am sure as I am typing this Clint is still getting down good ole boy style. It is too bad that we couldn't get the whole race in on Sunday, but NASCAR did try it;s best (including some weird questionable calls at the end of stage one). But, here we are another week down with another previous winner. Let's just right into the Power Rankings.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 15 (Week 13)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- The Ford's have been rolling as of late and Harvick is the head of the class.
2. Kyle Busch (LW-2)- Speaking of head of the class, Kyle is right there too and this head to head with Harvick is shaping up to be a fun one this Summer.
3. Kurt Busch (LW-3)- Kurt took the MIS pole and spent a ton of time up front on Sunday, including leading 46 laps.
4. Joey Logano (LW-5)- Notching top tens hasn't been hard for JoLo this year (tied for most on the season with 12), but beating the other two with 12 top tens hasn't been easy (Harvick and Busch).
5. Martin Truex Jr (LW-6)- Once I said Truex was heating up he went out and won at Pocono... Yeah, they seem to be getting on track.
6. Clint Bowyer (LW-7)- A win is a win. Ford spent the whole day up front so even with weather it's not crazy a Ford won.
7. Brad Keselowski (LW-10)- SHR is on another level compared to Penske, but Penske isn't too far behind. The 2, 12, and 22 just can't seem to bring winning speed each week unlike SHR (4) and JGR (18).... Well, I guess no one can bring it like the 4 and 18 right now.
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-4)- Hamlin ran up front a bunch Sunday and also did at Pocano before wrecking.
9. Kyle Larson (LW-8)- Larson had a fast car before spinning in the second half at MIS. It's too bad because he has been really good there as of late.
10. Chase Elliott (LW-11)- Chase has been running well for weeks now, but he still isn't contending for wins. As they figure out this new car, maybe he will start pushing for that first trip to Victory Lane.
11. Aric Almirola (LW-12)- Taking Aric's first 15 races last year (yes, he missed time in between during those 15 races) he had three top tens, and five 15's. This year he already has six top tens and 13 top 15's. One none top 15 was a wreck and the other was a 17th place finish, #Consistency.
12. Ryan Blaney (LW-NR)- After some rough luck and runs, Blaney is back posting two top tens in a row and leading laps in three of the last four races.

Dropped Out: Jimmie Johnson (LW-9)

Just Missed: Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray

2018 NASCAR Pit Road Week 6: Martinsville

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Martinsville Speedway

By Richard Tix

Doubleheader Monday! That is what race fans ended up getting after snow stopped the truck race and then completely wiped out the Cup race on Sunday. The track shots on Sunday were actually really cool, even if they ruined our day of racing.

Monday races are always tough because many folks who bought tickets can't make it and many others who want to watch from home on Sunday get stuck at work on Monday. But, sometimes Mother Nature gets in the way of our plans and we have to do the best with what we got. Now, I personally would have loved a later start for Cup so much of it could have been on after work ours, I do understand NASCAR wants to get the show on the road for next week. It's a tough spot either way, but how cool would a Monday night race under the lights at Martinsville have been?

With that out of the way, lets get updated on this weeks Power Rankings.

Pit Road Power Rankings: Week 6 (Week 5)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- Martinsville was Rowdy's third second place finish of 2018. Eventually, Kyle is going to start rattling off wins.
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Harvick wasn't much of a player for the win on Monday, but then again only about three guys really were late in the day. 
3. Martin Truex Jr (LW-2)- Truex has five top fives in six races to start 2018. He has seven playoff points already and is pretty much already a lock to go deep into the playoffs.
4. Joey Logano (LW4)- Another top ten run for the 22 team. JoLo has had good speed, but not a ton of winning speed yet.
5. Ryan Blaney (LW-7)- Blaney did seem to have winning speed during stage two, but others caught him and they didn't seem to adjust enough. Still, Blaney lead 145 laps and finish 3rd in a strong run.
6. Brad Keselowski (LW-6)- BK had a strong car early and then faded late. They hung on for a top 10 while sliding down the board during the final laps.
7. Clint Bowyer (LW-10)- What a wait.. Bowyer finally broke through and got his first win in what feels like a decade. SHR in general seems to have made huge strides in 2018, but specifically Clint Bowyer really has taken another step with the team.
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-5)- It's crazy to see Hamlin this low, but the team just haven't finished races off like they should have. Whether it is a pitting penalty or tempers getting in the way and pushing a guy like Harvick to the edge. However, the No. 11 has been pretty fast this season so they have that to fall back on.
9. Kyle Larson (LW-8)- Just another "meh" week for Larson and the No. 42. Still, this team is 9th in the points and should get rolling eventually.
10. Erik Jones (LW-9)- Not a great day for the No. 20 team, but it happens. Erik gets a one week pass.
11. Aric Almirola (LW-12)- Monday at Martinsville was Aric's worst finish of 2018, which was 14th. That's pretty damn good especially considering where this 10 team and Aric (in the 43) were last season.
12. Kurt Busch (LW-NR)- Kurt just missed the top ten (11th) on Monday, but the team is making strides. They just have to finish in the final stage to lock in some better finishes.

Dropped Out: Austin Dillon (LW-11)

Just Missed: Alex Bowman, Paul Menard, and Chase Elliott