2016 Pit Road Week 36: Homestead

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Ford EcoBoost 400

By Richard Tix

One last time. One final time to strap in, get focus, and get on getting on. Yes, one last power rankings for the 2016 season after one last time Cup drivers strapped in for the year to wheel it around the track. 

As the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season comes to an end, so will the Behind the Wall Power Rankings. That is, they will be ending for the offseason and until we get back into the mix of things just a few short months away. 

On Sunday NASCAR crowned a 2016 Champion. This time around it felt like a guy who hadn't won a Championship's in ages who finally won again, yet it was Jimmie Johnson who is now a seven time Cup Champ and not that far removed from his last one (2013).

One would think seven Championships, 80 career wins, 218 career top 5's, and 330 top 10's in 543 races would be enough to be considered in the realm of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, yet I saw a lot floating around social media after Sundays historic win. 

Some fans went from "NASCAR rig's races so Toyota wins" to " NASCAR rig's races so Jimmie Johnson wins." I am not sure how both happen, but I can tell you neither are true and both are laughable.

I also saw a lot of "well, Johnson never won a Championship before the Chase so because I don't like the Chase he can't be as good at the King or Senior who won in points system's."

Yeah, these things have been said by fans of the sport, a sport they claim they love.

Let me tell you, 80 career wins do not come because of the format or by NASCAR scripting the seasons. 80 career wins comes from a lot of hard work, teamwork, overcoming odds, and talent. No matter if you love or hate JJ, he is one of NASCAR history's best and didn't need the win Sunday to prove it. 

When it comes to who is NASCAR's best, it will all come down to perception and opinion (which go hand in hand folks). It's just like in any other sport, different era's produce different legends and comparing the era's is no easy task and most the time shouldn't be done. Life is much easier when you just appreciate greatness for what it is, during the era it is in, with the moments task's in front of it.

The King raced in an era where pushing the rule book was a bit easier then today, but if you weren't pushing it you were't really racing. He drove the butt off his car and had the engineering to do so. Car's were as close to street/stock cars as you could get and were not easy to handle. It was a time where one car and only one car could end up on the lead lap and win by miles (not seconds). 

Senior was the ultimate "Intimidator," and if that didn't work he would physically move you out of the way. However, even if he wasn't moving you he was one of the best at wheeling it around a track. Car's were much closer in competition then in the King's day, but still had clear advantages over others. He was taken too soon from family, friends, and fans which always leaves us wondering, "what if?"

Then we have Jimmie. You can argue that competition is as close at it has ever been in NASCAR's history. Any given week guys from Hendrick, JGR, Penske, Furniture Row, or Stewart Haas could win. Throw in the years where RFR and RCR were factors and you begin to realize that JJ really has fought through a ton of competition over his career. 

In 2002, JJ's first full season at Cup, it was still the Winston Cup Series. Guys like Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch were all going strong. Older veterans like Rusty Wallace, Ricky Rudd, and Dale Jarrett were all still around and finishing in the top 10 of points. 

Johnson finished second in the famous 2003 season where Matt Kenseth won the Championship with one win and changed the season scoring forever (to the Chase). 17 different drivers won that year, which is often overlooked because people always focus on a one win Champion. 

Thirteen drivers won a race in 2006 when JJ won his first Championship. Sixteen won a race the following year when he went back to back. Twelve more won in 2008 including Kyle Busch with eight and Carl Edwards with nine.

Look, the list goes on and on when it comes to competition vs Jimmie Johnson. He has never had it easy, yet he has made it look easy at times. Sometimes in those moment's you forget just how great he has been because it looks so easy. Add in having a top notch Crew Chief and teammates and you have a dynasty on your hands.

Seven is the magic number and no matter how you look at it, it's impossible to compare the three. Each are great in their own way. Each paved a spot in NASCAR history. Each should be respected as an all time great in NASCAR history.

Congrats Jimmie Johnson on number seven, it will be fun to follow along and see if number eight is in your future. Now, eight it the magic number.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 36 (Week 35)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-3)- The King. The Intimidator. Jimmie. All seven time Champion's, all NASCAR greats. The numbers will speak for themselves in the future when fan's look back.
2. Joey Logano (LW-1)- That's three straight season's where JoLo has been a legit title contender in the Chase. He now has 12 wins in the last three years, so a Championship seem's like it is right around the corner.
3. Kevin Harvick (LW-5)- Harvick missed out on Homestead, but had another fantastic season from start to finish. Some consistency issues plagued him in the Chase but he almost persevered. The switch to Ford will be interesting.
4. Kyle Busch (LW-2)- After a title that some fans didn't want to except, Kyle came back and proved it was legit by being one of the best cars all year. Rowdy paired with JGR should lead to more Championships in the near future.
5. Brad Keselowski (LW-9)- The standings show 12th, but until he was knocked out of the Chase he was one of the fastest, most consistent drivers all season. However, if you look at his career he has been on an every other year streak where wins come and go. Can he break it in 2017?
6. Carl Edwards (LW-4)- Carl had to do what he had to do. In that pressure filled moment his mind said block. To outsiders it may look like the "wrong" move, but it was his Championship on the line and he obviously thought it was going to work. No fault in that, those are the moments that define people and sport.
7. Matt Kenseth (LW-7)- 2016 was a step back from 2017, but Kenseth still made a push to be a title contender. It's tough when you're the older veteran on a JGR team that is stacked with talent and you can only get two cars into the final out of four.
8. Kyle Larson (LW-10)- We have seen this story before, Kyle Larson finishes the season strong, he gets a bunch of talk all offseason, and the next year comes out flat (hint hint rookie season). He finished this year off with finishes of 3rd and 2nd, can it finally roll over into next year?
9. Chase Elliott (LW-8)- Following up one promising young gun with another. Chase had a heck of a rookie season and looks to having a promising rise ahead. Ten top 5's and 17 top 10's is no easy feat as a rookie. Chase looks to be the future of Hendrick and has plenty of guys around him to help him along the way.
10. Denny Hamlin (LW-6)- Every year JGR is the hardest team to predict. 2016 was another good season for Denny, but in the end it was Carl and Kyle who got into the Finale. Next year it could be Denny and Matt, who knows?
11. Kurt Busch (LW-11)- It was a heck of a run for a guy I thought was too inconsistent to advance as far as he did. I no way do I think he had a bad year, but he just never had a car I thought was a winning car. So, really, I think he probably overcame a lot to put up the stats he did without a winning car.
12. Tony Stewart (LW-NR)- One last time. Smoke had one last ride around Homestead-Miami and he will get one last run on Behind the Wall's power rankings. It was a fun career and we will miss him on the track, but it is comforting to know we will still get him in doses around the track. He did everything on his terms and that is something to respect in 2016. Congrats on a great career Smoke.

Thanks for sticking with Behind the Wall all season long! I appreciate everyone of you that comes by to check out the site. The interaction on Twitter and other social media platforms makes this all worth it as a fan of the sport.

Come back all offseason as we fight through "NOD" as I review all of the drivers and start getting preseason content up and going. It feels like a long offseason, but it is only a few short months away in actuality, so together we can make it to 2017!

2016 Pit Road Week 35: Phoenix

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Can-Am 500

By Richard Tix

Phoenix International Raceway has come and gone for the 2016 season. No rain (this year) but plenty of tears could be cried after 500 miles on Sunday. Four drivers gave everything they had and advanced to next weekend while four did the same but won't be in position to win the Championship.

At this point, I want to remind everyone that in a normal "points only" standings, or even the old Chase rules, the Championship would 90% of the time be locked up for this race. Is this Chase completely fair to those who have run well all year? Nope. Then again, what sport is? 

One of my favorite times as a little kid in sports was playing in tournaments. The spotlight of each game means more. The intensity and pressure all in one moment. A simple at bat can feel like the biggest moment in a game. Lastly, the fact that any one team could get hot and make a run gives everyone an optimistic outlook. Leaders step up and late season hero's are made.

I know most (not all) NASCAR traditionalist's hate this and will say, "well NASCAR isn't another sport. Racing is different then stick and ball sports." That's true, but it's 2016 and NASCAR thought they needed to do something. Like it or not, NASCAR was one of the few sports around who didn't have some type of elimination playoff, so that was where they focused, that and winning. Making wins matter more and have some added pressure in elimination situations is what they set out to do and successfully accomplished.

It's a long season and sometimes a tough and bitter pill to swallow when one or two of the best drivers all year get knocked out before Miami. I 100% agree it isn't always fair with this format, but in general I still am a supporter and have been open minded from the start. From that start I thought it could use some tweaks, and we have yet to see any of those, but time will tell how this era will play out and if NASCAR will make adjustments or scrap it all together.

Moving onto the race itself, the pressure was evident in the closing laps. Matt Kenseth had the lead on a late G-W-C restart with young gun Alex Bowman on the inside looking for his first NASCAR Cup win. Behind Alex was a hungry Kyle Busch trying to have the chance for back to back Championships but that meant advancing in the field and keeping his position.

Phoenix turn one can be a tricky spot, especially on restarts. Coming off the front stretch going into one the best spot's going into that turn are low and narrow so going in two wide isn't exactly what you want to get a good run to the back stretch.

We saw just how quickly it gets narrow into one on the late G-W-C restart. Alex Bowman appeared to get a bad restart and possibly spun his tires and Kyle Busch quickly jumped on his bumper. When Bowman got loose from contact with Busch he quickly tried to get back to block Kyle and keep his shot at winning his first race alive all before they reached turn one. 

At the same time as all of this commotion was going on Matt Kenseth thought he was clear to go low into turn one because that's what was relayed from his spotter. Well, Alex Bowman was still there and coming in hot on the bottom with Kyle following. All of these things mixed under the pressure of the situation and it lead to Bowman getting into Kenseth and turning him around.

It wasn't the spotters fault. It wasn't Kyle's fault for pushing so hard. It wasn't Alex's fault for coming into turn one too hot. It was a mix of all of them rolled into one small moment that feels like a blur now. 

That's what happens in these moments and though not fair, that was 100% racing the way it should be. Everyone wanting to win late in a race and racing hard side by side. Sure, we all hope for a clean finish with hard racing, but sometimes the smallest error (or combination of errors) stop that from happening.

In the end, Kenseth didn't advance, Bowman didn't get his first win, and Busch made his way to the finale in Homestead. No matter the situation at Phoenix, some drivers and teams were going home unhappy with the results, but at least we know everyone was giving it all they could to win late on Sunday because a shot at the Championship means that much.

If we have no Chase, when do those moments happen? Most of the time drivers just wrap it up and say that was a good points run and move on. Sure, they're disappointed, but not near as devastated as they're now knowing they just missed the Championship by seconds, by inches, by one pressure filled moment. Every situation has it's up's and down's including this Chase. But to me, that G-W-C moment was like when I was a kid coming up to bat in the bottom of the 9th, tie score, two down, and a runner on third with a chance to win it and go to the Championship game. It was a defining moment that will stick with the drivers and sport forever.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 35 (Week 34)

1. Joey Logano (LW-2)- JoLo is hitting his stride at the right time. He now has two wins and four top 10's in the last four races and five straight top 10's to boot. He has been in this spot before at Homestead, will he capitalize this time?
2. Kyle Busch (LW-4)- Speaking of been there done that, Rowdy is back in the Finale at Homestead with a chance to go back to back, this time in a full season.
3. Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- Speaking again of been there done that, is it JJ's time to get number seven? He was in cruise control the last two weeks, can he turn it on again this weekend when he needs it?
4. Carl Edwards (LW-3)- Carl has not been that fast all season, not compared to the best cars, but he is here and that's all that matters. One fast race can win him a Championship. Will he be joining Twitter soon?
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-5)- Try and make your argument for unfair, but in the Chase he had finishes of 20th, 20th, 37th, and 38th. He may have been one of the best cars all season long, but the Chase has done him in this time and it was too much to overcome. How's the switch to Ford going to go?
6. Denny Hamlin (LW-7)- 3rd, 7th, and 9th, those are Hamlin's finishes this past round. That was not enough to get into Homestead. Proving a point, winning is key and points days won't always get you to the Finale (just don't tell Ryan Newman that).
7. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- Man, what a finish. Matt held his cool on the radio but you know he had to be super frustrated with how everything unfolded. He was so close to a win and joining three other drivers in Homestead and then McDowell lost a tire. 
8. Chase Elliott (LW-9)- It's going to be fun to see him develop along with Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, and Ryan Blaney. He is head of the class so far, but still trails guys like Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin. For now...
9. Brad Keselowski (LW-11)- His season has gone downhill since dropping out of the Chase, but it was shaping up to be a good one before that. Let's see on Sunday how hard he races other guys while trying to give JoLo a chance at a Championship.
10. Kyle Larson (LW-NR)- Larson had one heck of a day and still finished 3rd. It was an impressive run but we have seen this late in a season with Kyle before. Can he translate it into next season's success?
11. Kurt Busch (LW-8)- He was almost a non factor all Chase, yet made the final eight. Not a bad season when you aren't always that fast but find a way to give yourself a shot.
12. Alex Bowman (LW-NR)- His first appearance on Behind the Wall's rankings is well deserved. What a fun run up front on Sunday after his first career pole. If you weren't on the "get him a full time quality ride" bandwagon before this race, why the heck aren't you on it now?

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.

2016 Pit Road Week 32: Talladega

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Hellman's 500

By Richard Tix

I'm going to leave most of the ranting out of this week's preview (though this is normally where I get my full opinion out in one piece and not 140 characters at a time). I think I covered enough on twitter and if you're really curious as to my opinion of Talladega or Joe Gibbs Racing at Dega, just ask me and I will enlighten you.

So, Ill leave it at this: They still have a chance to win the war without winning the battle. Even while losing the battle they didn't take many casualties because they were smart with strategy, but rather set themselves up for a better shot at winning the war.

When you're in a spot to win a war, you can take any strategy it takes as long as you do not take on added casualties to get there. I'd say no wrecked cars or injured drivers will suffice for nor casualties.

Oh, and if JGR wins a Championship they will gain more fans then they lost during the "layup" at Dega.

Now, onto the Power Rankings that finally gives hope to non Chase drivers again! That's because we still have twelve spots but only the top eight have to be the current Chase drivers, the last four spots are fair game!

A review of the Chase Power Ranking Rules:

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup.

We're down to 8 Chase drivers so only those 8 are in the top 8 and the bottom four can be anyone.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 32 (Week 31)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- Was the Kevin Kurt thing just a misunderstanding? I have no idea still if Kurt bumped Kevin in celebration or what it was, but Kevin sure came in like that raging bull. KH and crew are not one to be messed with when it comes to Championship contender once again this year.
2. Jimmie Johnson (LW-1)- Quietly JJ also hung back and stayed out of trouble. Why risk tearing up a car or worse, injury, when you're locked in? He has run very well this Chase and not enough people have been talking about him.
3. Kyle Busch (LW-2)- Try and tell me the guy who runs Xfinity races and wins a ton wasn't pissed off he was sitting back and playing it safe on Sunday. Sunday was his first non top 10 since Darlington when he finished 11th, yeah I'm sure he loved it.
4. Matt Kenseth (LW-4)- Kenseth's top 10 streak was shorter by one race then Kyles, only dating to Chicagoland, but I'm sure he wasn't having fun hanging back, either. But, Championship teams do what they have to to have a shot.
5. Joey Logano (LW-7)- Gritty win by a team that needed the boost. It's crazy to think the No. 22 only has two wins after Sundays trip to Victory Lane. They still can win the Championship and will have the help of the No. 2 along the way. 
6. Denny Hamlin (LW-12)- The No. 11 need ALL of that finish on Sunday. They actually tied Austin Dillon for the eighth and final spot, but got the transfer because they finished a round best 3rd. This round plays much better for Hamlin and he could bounce back with a trip to the final four.
7. Kurt Busch (LW-8)- I can't believe Kurt is this low with how consistent he has been, but he just hasn't had the same speed as some of these other guys. He can still points his way to the final four, but it will be tough. 
8. Carl Edwards (LW-6)- Carl just keeps doing what he has to round by round. Can that continue? We will see.
9. Austin Dillon (LW-10)- One spot, at Talladega. Just one. I haven't looked at the results but I am sure he finished mere fractions of a second behind Aric Almirola. It was one heck of an effort by a team most counted out when the Chase started. 
10. Chase Elliott (LW-11)- Fun run by Chase, who remember is just a rookie... He was fast to finish this season but he just couldn't find his way past the front seven guys playing follow the leader on Sunday. 
11. Kyle Larson (LW-NR)- We still only have four spots open to grab in these rankings, but Kyle got the nod for two top 6 finishes in this round (three races). If CGR can find speed and he can start mixing in taking care of his equipment (meaning not running it into the wall driving the wheels off), then he might end up competing for a Championship sooner rather then later.
12. Brad Keseloski (LW-9)- BK needed a win, or a very good finish at the very least, and his engine blew up while trying. Tough spot deciding to get trash off and when it's too late. The No. 2 couldn't stop finding it, either. Not a good way to end a great season, but that's how it goes.

Dropped Out: Martin Truex Jr (LW-5) - Does he deserve to drop out? Nope. I'd really say we have a 12a and 12b, but that's not how my rankings work. He was another very fast car in 2016 that just couldn't get by some bad finishes in a round. 

2016 Pit Road Week 31: Kansas

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Hollywood Casino 400

Photo: Jason Hanna Getty Images

By Richard Tix

Hard racing and post race interviewing don't always go as well as you think they would in your head. Not wanting to answer a question right after a heated race and answering with "that's racing, I guess." It's a line every NASCAR Cup driver has used almost every season they have raced at least once. Sometimes a driver let's out exactly what they're thinking and gets bashed by social media couch critics. Other time's they use a generic line like above and we all move on and thinking of it as just another boring interview. But, Sunday social media didn't move on.

Why is that? Well because it was Kyle Busch that said that line after his racing run in with teammate Carl Edwards late in the race at Kansas. The one thing we know about Kyle Busch is no move goes without a social media outrage.

Sure, he may have a past where he was looked at as whinny (maybe even some of you still think that), but a whole ton of drivers have said the same things and been applauded for holding back and being a bigger man and not in the shade of "crying."

Kyle gets lambasted from social media because of his past (I guess), but 99.9% of the time if the comment "that's racing, I guess" came out of another drivers mouth we would take it with a grain of salt and move on. Would we know that driver probably didn't fully mean it? Sure, we can see past typical BS lines and know their is more, but for some reason we keep nitpicking Rowdy for every single thing he does.

I get it if you don't like him, almost every fan in the sport has a guy they dislike, but cut him some slack because if your driver said that you would be looking at this 180 degrees the other way. I would say 80% of the time (yes making up numbers here) the social media outrage on Kyle Busch is total fan hypocrisy. Hate on him when it's a valid reason, but answering the question with a generic line is what most drivers do when they don't want to talk about it, just be happy he didn't walk off (one of those times I get being upset with him).

Now, lets get to the Power Rankings since my rant backing a driver I am not even a fan of has gone long enough. 

A review of the Chase Power Ranking Rules:

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup.

We're down to 12 Chase drivers so only those 12 are in the rankings this week.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 31 (Week 30)

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW-4)- This is the best I have seen the No. 48 run in awhile. Sunday he wasn't going to win (and didn't need to), but he worked his way to the front and stayed clean, something he will want to do again at Dega (though he is already in the final eight). 
2. Kyle Busch (LW-5)- I'm not sure Kyle was catching Harvick even if he got around the No. 19, but he was fast to end the race. He has been good all Chase long.
3. Kevin Harvick (LW-10)- Was he too low last week? Probably. But that's how this Chase has gone so far for "Happy." It's been up and down, but this team fights through adversity by bringing speed every week. Oh, and check out last weeks quote on ole No. 4: "Heads up No. 4 fans, he can win at anytime." See, all is good for the moment with Harvick.
4. Matt Kenseth (LW-3)- Five Chase races and five top 10's, Kenseth is staying out of trouble and not mixing it up with anyone, which is a good Chase formula. 
5. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- After two wins in the first round, Truex now has two finishes of 11th or worse in the second round.
6. Carl Edwards (LW-7)- 12th and 2nd this round, that doesn't seem great but with Talladega on the schedule if he does it again he should be safe.
7. Joey Logano (LW-11)- He raced his way back to the top 8 (tied with Dillon), but still has to stay clean and run well at Talladega to advance. Weird spot after such a great 2015 season.
8. Kurt Busch (LW-6)- Kurt has flown under the radar all Chase. Mostly because he really hasn't been that good, but he hasn't been bad either. That's how this season may end for him too.
9. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- "Must win." NBC analysis need to realize we're going to Dega where someone could have trouble like BK did at Kansas. BK has been top 10 fast all year and consistent, he still has a shot without a win.
10. Austin Dillon (LW-12)- What a Chase for AD. Give the man his due, he is sticking in it and is in a nice spot right now. Who would have thought, AD in the round of eight? It's only one great finish away.
11. Chase Elliott (LW-8)- Chase can't catch a break this round. He has been fast and he finished 5th after getting the pole last time out at Dega. He has to be this low in the rankings, but it's not crazy to think he could win..
12. Denny Hamlin (LW-9)- Trouble at Charlotte did DH no favors and his 15th place finish this weekend didn't help. The other guys who were in a hole helped themselves out unlike Hamlin. He needs to stay clean and have a great finish at Dega.

2016 Pit Road Week 30: Charlotte

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Photo: Mike McCarn — The Associated Press

By Richard Tix

Five, count them, five drivers from the Chase field of twelve finished 30th or worse on Sunday. This is not the round you want to start out like that and all five now have a hole to get out of. Lucky for them one of them can advance on points alone and all five will have a shot to win the wild card race at Talladega.

Now that I think about it, why doesn't NASCAR move Talladega to the first round? I know how NASCAR is with the schedule (and how tracks are), but Dega as a wild card race makes more sense as in a wild card round like the first round. It gives a team like Chirs Buescher some legitimate hope in making the next round. I would love to keep a superspeedway in the Chase, because like the road course argument, a track of every type should make the schedule. However, in the second round where all 12 guys are legit title contenders it seems a bit too fluky to me.

Anyways, they heat will get turned up another notch this weekend especially with five drivers already on the hot seat.

A review of the Chase Power Ranking Rules:

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup.

We're down to 12 Chase drivers so only those 12 are in the rankings this week.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 30 (Week 29)

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-1)- Not the finish they were looking for, especially on a 1.5 mile track. They still have tons of momentum and until they post two poor finishes in a row this spot is his.
2. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- BK's consistency just keeps coming. If the No 2 stays away from bad luck it should be enough to advance him to the round of eight.
3. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- Great run after starting 17th, but it just wasn't enough. That is four straight top 10 finishes this Chase and his second runner up.
4. Jimmie Johnson (LW-7)- JJ is locked in as one of the final eight drivers in the 2016 Chase after winning at Charlotte. That has to be a great feeling during an up and down season.
5. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- Quietly finishing well, Rowdy has a string of five straight top 10's going right now. He has also led at least one lap in every Chase race so far.
6. Kurt Busch (LW-10)- This round has started out much better then how last round went (one top 10), but will the No 41 team keep it going?
7. Carl Edwards (LW-12)- It was only a twelfth place finish, but after Edwards the Chase drivers fell off. He is safe for now, but still needs to run better.
8. Chase Elliott (LW-9)- What a run for Chase on Sunday until being involved in a wreck on lap 260. He led 103 laps which was second only to JJ.
9. Denny Hamlin (LW-8)- 52 laps led and engine issues, rough way to start the second round. But, Hamlin has been fast so he can work his way out of it.
10. Kevin Harvick (LW-5)- This just isn't Harvick's Chase right now is it? Head up No. 4 fans, he can win at anytime.
11. Joey Logano (LW-4)- Speaking of needing a win, JoLo had issues all day staying on the track and finished poorly as a result. It's early, but he may also need a win to advance.
12. Austin Dillon (LW-11)- Another car caught up in a wreck. Expect the same at Dega which means all five of these guys still have a shot if they stay clean.

2016 Pit Road Week 29: Dover

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Dover International Speedway

By Richard Tix

First thing's first: being called a hater by someone who has never read your articles or a tweet of your's before is ironic, because that person is as much a hater as you are since they know nothing about you.

I was called a hater on Sunday for calling out TV media (and others) who continue to try and hold onto the notion that Furniture Row is still a small team beating the odds. They're trying to sell the Cinderella story when the story has run it's course.

Why is this wrong? Because Furniture Row is no longer a small team, they're a legit title contender who is practically a fifth Joe Gibbs Racing car. That is no slight to Furniture Row, those guys worked their butt's off to get to this point and overcome the odds.

But, that story ended last season, it's time to stop harping on an old story and move on with the truth.

I like Martin Truex Jr and love that a once small team is expanding and becoming a real threat in NASCAR. However, this is like Gonzaga in college basketball (hopefully some of you get this). They were a media Cinderella darling for a short period of time, but eventually got so big they were a legit contender and the story-line was gone. College media understood that, the fans understood that, and Gonzaga understood that.

Story-lines change and we need to adapt with them. It doesn't make you a hater, it makes you a person who understands the context of situations and how they're forever changing. I try and keep is as real and unbiased as I can here. So, lets hit a few things you need to know if you just started following me.

I run Behind the Wall and try and keep my bias of drivers neutral for rankings and articles.

I am a huge Brad Keseloski fan and have been since he was working his way up. I am a Dodge fan so many of my drivers roots have passed through those ram horns.

I also like Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott (I know, weird situation), Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, and Kyle Larson.

When I first started watching in the 90's I was a young kid and latched onto Jeff Gordon like so many fans did over time. 

I was raised a King Petty guy (Mopar). By oldest brother is much older then me (I was an oops) and he was a Petty guy, so I followed suit. 

I have since dropped Gordon, Hamlin, and Kahne when people ask me who I am a fan of, but only because my list is huge (well some other things have turned me off from Denny as well). If you asked me, I would say I'm a BK fan, but I really do like a lot of guys. It comes with the nature of writing and just loving the sport.

I do like the newest Chase format and have from the start. However, I have always had a few thing's that I though needed adjustment (adding tracks to the full schedule and changing the final race year to year to name a few).

Even drivers I have disliked in the past have had their up's and downs when compared to m,y opinion. To be honest, I have had some of the best discussions on Twitter with fans of drivers I am not a big fan of. 

Last thing: I really wish they would add a few more short tracks (Iowa Speedway being one) and even a road course or two. I have held this opinion for awhile now and will not change it. I think they could drop a few 1.5 mile tracks that have two stops to make room. 

Oh, and I am from Minnesota and its tough to find a ton of people who consider themselves NASCAR fans. We're here, but we're hard to find. 

Now, onto the Power Rankings.

A review of the Chase Power Ranking Rules:

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup.

We're down to 12 Chase drivers so only those 12 are in the rankings this week.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 29 (Week 28)

1. Martin Truex (LW-1)- Right now Truex is as hot as they come and NASCAR will hit two 1.5 mile tracks in the next three. Why is that important? Well, because he has been pretty darn good on 1.5 mile's while at Furniture Row.
2. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- Three top 5's in the Chase, tied for the most wins this season, the most top 5's all year, and stuck in 7th place in the standings. Weird, huh? It's a non factor if BK keeps running this well, these stats will advance him to Miami if he keeps it up. 
3. Kyle Busch (LW-4)- Rowdy led a lap ion every Chase race and also finished in the top 10 all three times. He was runner up at Dover on Sunday and knows how to navigate this Chase.
4. Joey Logano (LW-5)- It's a bit crazy to think JoLo has only won one race in 2016, but that's where we are right now. 
5. Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- Tough luck on Sunday, but guys it can happen at anytime, why all the Rodney Childers attacking on twitter? Harvick still looks like a title contender and already had a win.
6. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- Hard to argue with 9th, 2nd, and 5th place finishes during the Chase. Nice work running well and advancing.
7. Jimmie Johnson (LW-8)- This season is the lowest on average I have ever had JJ in the rankings, weird. Whats not weird is the No. 48 team is running better in the Chase, but can they keep it going against JGR?
8. Denny Hamlin (LW-7)- Ten top 10's in the last eleven races, not bad Hamlin. The last time he was out of the top 15 was thirteen races ago, and that was the unpredictable Daytona.
9. Chase Elliott (LW-9)- Will he win the Championship as a rookie? Odds are 99% no, but two third place finishes this round are impressive stats to add to a great rookie campaign. 
10. Kurt Busch (LW-10)- They survived with a lone top 10 and three top 15's. It wasn't pretty and they will need more this round, but they made it.
11. Austin Dillon (LW-13)- Yeah, a poor running by CGR helped, but Dillon didn't hurt himself by finishing 8th, and that's what it is all about. Nice work moving on and doing what you could to gain points.
12. Carl Edwards (LW-11)- I'm not sure what to think of the No 19 team. They would reel off two wins in this round at any moment, but right now they're lagging behind the other four JGR cars (yes, the No. 78 is a fifth JGR car). 

2016 Pit Road Week 28: Loudon

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

NHMS

By Richard Tix

As you may know from this weekends race preview (Week 29 race preview here), I have been a busy guy. In that time I have missed a bunch of content that I normally like to have out weekly. In that spirit, I want to make sure I get to the Power Rankings. However, they will be striped down this weekend to save a bit of time so I can catch up on everything else!

A review of the Chase Power Ranking Rules:

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup. 

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 28 (Week 26)

1. Martin Truex Jr (LW-4)
2. Brad Keselowski (LW-3)
3. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)
4. Kyle Busch (LW-7)
5. Joey Logano (LW-5)
6. Matt Kenseth (LW-11)
7. Denny Hamlin (LW-2)
8. Jimmie Johnson (LW-9)
9. Chase Elliott (LW-10)
10. Kurt Busch (LW-12)-
11. Carl Edwards (LW-8)
12. Kyle Larson (LW-6)
13. Austin Dillon (LW-15)
14. Jamie McMurray (LW-13)
15. Tony Stewart (LW-14)
16. Chris Buescher (LW-16)

2016 Week 26 Pit Road: Richmond

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Richmond International Raceway

By Richard Tix

It's time to reset. 26 races down and 10 to go to crown the 2016 Sprint Cup Champion. The first 26 races were a blast but I guarantee the next ten will be even better as the heat ramps up. It may not always be the best "clean" racing, but it is sure to provide some enjoyment. 

As always, Behind the Wall will go into the Chase with a clean slate in the Power Rankings. It is time to reset them completely. This week the rankings will start as a mix between how hot they're coming into the Chase and how much of a chance I think they have at winning. Remember, it is a mix of the two aspect's (cough cough, Rowdy fans). I think Kyle is higher then a top seven contender, but he isn't coming into the Chase setting the world on fire.

For the first three races we will have 16 drivers ranked and they will all come from the Chase field. Once NASCAR cuts the field to 12 so will Behind the Wall (again, all Chase drivers). Once we cut to 8 drivers I will still rank the top 12, but the top 8 will be only drivers left in the Chase and the remaining four can be anyone (previous Chase drivers OR someone who was never in the Chase). This type format will continue all the way down to the final (so in the end the Champion will be number one and the other eleven can be anyone in the Sprint Cup. 

Let the fun begin!

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 26 (Week 25)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Four straight top fives from a guy who has navigated this Chase format before, yup I'm all in with Harvick as a safe No. 1. Some pit crew worries have held up the excitement of a second title in three years. 
2. Denny Hamlin (LW-2)- He had seven straight top 10's BEFORE RIR's win. Two wins, five top 5's, and eight top 10's in his last eight means Hamlin has turned it on at the right time. 
3. Brad Keselowsi (LW-4)- The No. 2 team qualified poorly for RIR, but managed to salvage the night. That is what BK and Paul Wolfe have done all year; use strategy to compete week in and week out. Those saving strategies could be the difference in a Champion or an exit.
4. Martin Truex Jr (LW-8)- MTJ and the No. 78 love 1.5 mile tracks and the Chase has a bunch of them. Truex followed up his Darlington win with a 3rd place run at RIR after leading 193 laps.
5. Joey Logano (LW-3)- For a guy who has ten top 5's and 18 top 10's in 26 races, JoLo's season has been quiet. I think most of that has to do with his one win, but don't count out his consistency to get him to Miami.
6. Kyle Larson (LW-6)- Ask me two months ago where Larson would be in the rankings at this time and I would have said something like "either 15th or missing the Chase." He has turned his youth promise into reality. A win at MIS got him in, but his last three races have all been top 3 finishes. 
7. Kyle Busch (LW-11)- I like this Kyle's odds of winning a Championship more then the one above, but the Chase is a funny thing now. You have to get hot at the right time and avoid the bad luck. Rowdy has been fast all year and if he is during the next ten races he has a shot to go back to back.
8. Carl Edwards (LW-5)- Carl started 2016 on fire, but it hasn't gone very smooth as of late. JGR isn't what it was in the first half so maybe other teams have a shot to take them down.
9. Jimmie Johnson (LW-12)- This is not typical Johnson, but this is also not typical Hendrick. It's been awhile since Team Hendrick has lost this much on the track, so it will be interesting to see JJ and Chase fight through it.
10. Chase Elliott (LW-7)- Speaking of Chase, Elliott has had one heck of a rookie season. I'm not sure he can make a legit push at a Championship this year, but at the very least he has shown it should be in his future.
11. Matt Kenseth (LW-9)- I'm not sure what to think of Kenseth. He sure hasn't run well as of late, but they have the speed. Plus, he is a veteran that you can't count out of it. Anything is possible, but inconsistency could be the No. 20's downfall this year.
12. Kurt Busch (LW-NR)- Where has Kurt gone? He finishes 8th on Saturday, but it is a lone bright spot as of late. He started the season as a title contender with a great start, but now he might be bounced by the round of eight.
13. Jamie McMurray (LW-11)- It's been fun watching CGR get a win at MIS (Larson) and JMac pointing his way in with four top 10's in the last five races. 
14. Tony Stewart (LW-NR)- Rules are rules so Smoke is in the Chase, but his last four races have been terrible. He did turn it on for awhile this season, but can he get that back and have one final run at another Championship?
15. Austin Dillon (LW-NR)- AD took a step this year and it paid off by making the Chase. A career high in top 10's (10), he has already doubled his previous high (5). 
16. Chris Buescher (LW-NR)- I think more people are mad Beuscher got in then Smoke, yet Chris won a race and ran all of the races... You can't fault a guy for playing by the rules and using strategy to get here. Plus, who in the final four spots really has a legit shot to win anyways? If you want to argue, argue that we have too many Chase spots. Congrats Chris!

2016 Week 25 Pit Road: Darlington

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Darlington Raceway

PHOTO BY LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

By Richard Tix

Darlington is towards the top of my must see races, yet almost every year I miss a good chunk of it. That's because Labor Day weekend always has been a family and friend camping outing. With Darlington making it's way back to it's traditional Labor Day weekend date, it means I have to hope we make it on a bike ride to a local bar, or to just catch some updates on Twitter while hanging around the campfire.

Even though I would love to see Darlington (especially because of the throwbacks), I wouldn't trade this family time with anything.

So, I missed a ton of the race but caught some on twitter and read a few updates throughout the night. With that said, I will have no review of the race and I also will spare you any opinion rant since I wasn't engaged enough to fully have one. Let's get to the rankings!

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 25 (Week 23)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- I'm not 100% sure where I stand on the Harvick rant after Darlington. On one side, he is frustrated and they need to know it. On the other, maybe it could have been behind closed doors because those team members are busting their butts and know they have screwed up. Its not very team member like to oust them in front of the NASCAR world. On the bright side, KH is still running well despite the poor pit stops. Finish: 2nd
2. Denny Hamlin (LW-4)- Hamlin hasn't really been winning goo often, but he has been very "consistent good." Seven straight top 10's for Hamlin heading into week 26. Finish: 4th
3. Joey Logano (LW-2)- JoLo has 11 top 10's in the past 13 races. He has been running well, but will it be well enough in the Chase? Finish: 5th
4. Brad Keselowski (LW-5)- In the last 17 races, BK has lead at least one lap in in 13 of those, 13! In nine of those races he lead ten or more laps. The No. 2 hasn't always been the fastest, but Paul Wolfe and BK make calls every week to give them a shot at a quality finish. Finish: 9th
5. Carl Edwards (LW-6)- Carl gives himself a shot every week by qualifying well. Nine times in the last twelve he has started top 5 with six of those being front row. Finish: 19th
6. Kyle Larson (LW-10)- Larson wins at Michigan and goes on a tear to win the 2016 Sprint Cup Championship... It's not actually as crazy as you think. Look back at how good he was in 2014 down the stretch and then remember he is a more well rounded driver now. It's a long shot, but you never know. Finish: 3rd
7. Chase Elliott (LW-9)- Chase has turned in some quality performances since he was under pressure of making the Chase. Great timing and it should be enough to get in. Finish: 10th
8. Martin Truex Jr (LW-NR)- Bad luck aside, Truex has been very good on 1.5 mile tracks the past two seasons. Take a look ahead and remember the Chase is full of 1.5's. Finish: 1st
9. Matt Kenseth (LW-8)- Where have all the top 5's gone? The big difference in Kenseth's 2016 compared to 2011-2015 is he has four top 5's currently. Finish: 6th
10. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- Dominant car at Bristol: Wreck. Good car at Michigan: Spin and lose track position. Rowdy almost got back on track at Darlington, but his focus should be the final ten races. Finsish: 11th
11. Jamie McMurray (LW-NR)- What a time to run well. McMurray needs all the points he can get just to squeeze in  (currently 16th in Chase points). Three straight eights and a fifteenth at Darlington helps, but he needs a good run at RIR this week. Finish: 15th
12. Jimme Johnson (LW-11)- Sunday evening was one to forget again for JJ. Before Sunday, he was starting to gain some momentum heading into the Chase. Finish: 33rd

Dropped Out: Tony Stewart (LW-7) and Kurt Busch (LW-12)

Just Missed: Austin Dillon and Kasey Kahne

2016 Week 23 Pit Road: Bristol

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Bristol Motor Speedway

By Richard Tix

This week the review and power rankings are going to be short and sweet. It's a busy time at Behind the Wall. All weekend I had Fantasy Football drafts, Tuesday I have a Twins game, and then Thursday I leave for Michigan International Speedway. So, I do not have much to say about Bristol except rain once again ruined our plans and we had to put it off until Sunday. That really sucks for fans that showed up and couldn't make Sunday. Now, I am already crossing my fingers we stay dry this weekend!

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 23 (Week 22)

1. Kevin Harvick (LW-4)- Big win for a team coming off a rough finish last week. Finish: 1st
2. Joey Logano (LW-3)- Stayed out of major trouble late in the race to still lock in another top 10. Finish: 10th
3. Kyle Busch (LW-1)- Kyle was dominate early until a late wreck ruined his whole day. Not much you can do when it piles up at Bristol. Finish: 39th
4. Denny Hamlin (LW-6)- Hamlin has really been making a move lately. He now has five straight top 10's. Finish: 3rd
5. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- A trend that will follow below, BK was in a wreck late at Bristol. Finish: 33rd
6. Carl Edwards (LW-11)- Edwards is starting to turn it around and step one was staying out of most of the trouble Sunday. Finish: 6th
7. Tony Stewart (LW-6)- It was a cool celebration to see Smoke as an owner out there with race winner Kevin Harvick. Finish: 30th
8. Matt Kenseth (LW-7)- Every week at least one JGR car has to have some rough luck, this time it was Kyle and Matt. Finish: 37th
9. Chase Elliott (LW-12)- It was only a top 15, but it was much needed for Chase on his Chase hopes. He led a few laps on Sunday as well. Finish: 15th
10. Kyle Larson (LW-9)- Back to back tough finishes for the No. 42. He went from Chase outsider to "man he needs a win to make the Chase" fast. Finish: 24th
11. Jimmie Johnson (LW-NR)- JJ gets back on track, finally. It's been awhile since he has graced the top 12. Finsih: 7th
12. Kurt Busch (LW-8)- Somehow Kurt is 3rd in overall points, but it doesn't feel like it. It's been a rollercoaster season and Bristol was a low. Finish: 38th

Dropped Out: Martin Truex Jr

Just Missed: Austin Dillon and Jamie McMurray

2016 Week 22 Pit Road: Watkins Glen

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Cheez-It 355 at the Glen

Photo: NASCAR via Twitter

By Richard Tix

Monday mornings are never a man's best friend. After a weekend (for most) and a race on Sunday (most of the time), Monday hit's us all hard. Even if you enjoy your job, the thought of not having a full day to enjoy on your own for five full week days can drive a man crazy.

What is worse then Monday? A Monday to start an off week in NASCAR. After Watkins Glen NASCAR takes a week off before heading to Bristol August 20th. Hopefully they drivers and teams enjoy some much needed time off while we put in our time. They all deserve it in a NASCAR season that I would bet makes a man on a Cup team go crazy. 

They spend countless hours everyday working on cars, strategy, and fine tuning skills. All this in a season that last from February to November (and that's only counting the racing season and not the preseason work they put in).

So hopefully the drivers and team members enjoy their time while we try and pass the time until Bristol.

The upside to all of this is that when they come back we head into crunch time before the Chase. Bristol, Michigan, Darlington, and Richmond are the only thing between us and the 2016 Sprint Cup Chase. So many story-lines are starting to really pick up steam and are worth watching for the next four races. During those next four races we will take a look pre-race to review how it has played out.

Chris Buescher's Quest for the 2016 Chase

• Even after a disappointing race where he finished 30th, Buecher picked up three points on 30th place (David Ragan). Ragan was also part of a wreck and finished the race in 33rd. Ragan now has 295 points while Buescher sits at 292 total. The first time we went to Bristol this year Chris finished 21st and David finished 39th after engine issues.

The Chase for Points

• Every race that passes relieves some pressure for the guys without a win but on top of the points standings, but it adds in more pressure towards the bottom. Right now NASCAR has 12 winners. 11 winners in the top 30, one outside the top 30. So, if we ended today five non win drivers would get in, but if Buecsher gets into the top 30 that number reduces to four. So, how do we stand and who is in trouble? Newman currently leads the non win pack at 562 points. Elliott (-1 from Newman), Dillon (-2), McMurray (-12), and Larson (-42) follow behind. The top two or three guys should feel safe week to week, but with four races nothing is for sure right now. CGR is really in a hard spot here being 15th and 16th in. They passed the first scare when AJ Allmendinger didn't win at WG and moved the number to four in on points and potentially three when/if Buescher gets to the top 30. But if a new non winner pushes the number down both CGR cars could be the big losers. Next in line is Bayne (-8 behind 16th), Kahne (-11 behind 16th), and Blaney (-18 behind 16th).

The Chase for a Win

• The last guys above (Bayne (-8 behind 16th), Kahne (-11 behind 16th), and Blaney (-18 behind 16th)) need to start looking at needing a win to get in. Buescher holds the key for everyone, but if he makes the top 30 these guys will drop further down the standings, making a win even more important. The rest of the guys in the standings on down to 30th including Dale Earnhardt Jr (concussion) are also in a huge need of a win. If someone does pull it off it also will change the outcome of the above topic "The Chase for Points."

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 22 (Week 21)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-1)- The consistency Rowdy has had lately is just too much to lose the top spot. In his last seven he has a win, two top 5's, six top 10's, and a 12th. Finish: 6th
2. Brad Keselowski (LW-3)- 28 laps led were the most on the day and his average running position was 6th. Yes, he got into Truex and the No. 78 team should be upset, but BK did take the blame and it was a late race situation. Every driver is at fault at some point. Finish: 3rd
3. Joey Logano (LW-4)- JoLo almost looked like he was going to repeat as WG winner, but Hamlin closed the door. The No. 22 team only has one win in 2016. Crazy. Finish: 2nd
4. Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- Harvick lost the standings lead to BK after being involved in a late wreck. Tough luck during a season he hasn't been caught up in much rough luck. Finish: 32nd
5. Tony Stewart (LW-5)- This isn't just for novelty, Smoke is putting him in position to be a Chase threat for the Championship. SHR has shown they have the equipment and now Smoke is reminding us he is kind of good at this racing thing. Finish: 5th
6. Denny Hamlin (LW-10)- It's been a good season, he just won, and he is climbing the power rankings, but... But, his two wins on the season are Daytona and Watkins Glen. Win's are wins, but if I am picking a final four that reason above will have me leaving him out right now. Finish: 1st
7. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- A nice top 10 at a track where he only holds a handful of top 10's. Nice way to leave road courses behind if you're Kenseth. Finish: 10th
8. Kurt Busch (LW-8)- 
9. Kyle Larson (LW-7)- The ending for Larson (and Truex) is just a script of hard racing at road course racing. It's what makes it fun, but also frustrating when you're having a good day like Kyle. Finish: 29th
10. Martin Truex Jr (LW-12)- See Larson above. Sucks when you have raced clean all day for that to happen late. BK made a mistake but I will say it did look like Truex may have been getting a bit loose already, BK just made it happen. Martin rallied to finish well. Finish: 7th
11. Carl Edwards (LW-9)- When a team has four drivers like Busch, Kenseth, Hamlin, and Edwards someone has to have a down week, right? Most have them have had low points in the season. The last six races would be considered a down point for the No. 19. Finish: 15th
12. Chase Elliott (LW-NR)- That finish was needed for the No. 24 team. One: AJ Allmendinger didn't win so its another race down without a new winner. Two: the got a nice finish at a road course to help them in the standings. After a nightmare run at Pocono that left with cloudy weather, the Chase forecast looks a bit better this week. 

Dropped Out: Austin Dillon (LW-11)

Just Missed: Trevor Bayne

2016 NASCAR Pit Road Week 21: Pocono

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Pennsylvania 400

Photo: Joseph Ressler

By Richard Tix

Let's start out this weeks review with a huge shout out to NASCAR Cup rookie Chris Buescher and his first career Cup win on Sunday Monday. Everyday those guys on that Front Row team get up and work their butts off to put a car on the track for Chris. Day in and day out, long hours, all to just get to the track.

Well on any given Sunday Monday they are supposed to have a chance, right? Well, normally its tough for a small team to legitimately have a shot let alone a rookie on a small team, but after a rain out on Sunday and weather threats all day Monday the hard work by the team and strategic calls all payed off in a big way. Give it to this team and all the work they put in, they deserve a moment in the spotlight. 

You may not see it this way, but teams view any win as a win and in the same light. In racing win's come in every way including because of the weather. That team gambled and put themselves in a good spot at that moment. Was it luck? Was it strategy? Was it smart? Yes to all of the above, but so is any other win. When a driver dominates by 10 sec to a win some luck still plays a part because at any given time a lapped car could come down on that race winner and ruin his day. A cut tire. A debris caution late. Anything. A bit of luck always plays in, but that doesn't downplay how much work a team puts in weekly to get just one chance at a moment like yesterday. That No. 34 team put themselves in that spot and deserve that win.

Buescher now has a chance at making the 2016 Sprint Cup Chase (currently 6 points outside of 30th place). Before we move deeper into the win, lets also give a shout out to Regan Smith for being at the right place to end the race (finished 3rd) and notching his first top 5 of 2016.

I also think NASCAR deserves a huge shout out this week as well. This isn't a common theme, but when it is earned it needs to be noted. Sports have to deal with the weather dealt to them and NASCAR did a wonderful job. On Monday they had plenty of time to call the race early, but they stuck it out and gave fans a chance to see a full race (what we all watch and pay for). 

NASCAR and Pocono even gave out and advanced tornado warning (one wasn't even issued by the National Weather Service) so that fans could get to safety "if" severe weather popped up. It was a smart and safe call since they were trying to hold on as long as they could, yet making sure everyone makes it home. 

In the end it was inevitable they had to call the race. The fog didn't dissipate in time before the next set of heavy rain showers came in. So, we are left with an underdog winner with his first sweet trip to victory lane. I for one am looking forward to watching the battle he and his team have ahead of them to get into the top 30. It truly will make watching battles throughout the field more entertaining. 

Its also a battle worth watching for guys trying to get in on points like Elliott, Blaney, Larson, McMurray, Dillon, Newman, etc. If he can get into the top 30 and stay there then one more spot is picked from under them. It will also be interesting how Watkins Glen picks shakes out next weekend. If A.J. Allmendinger can pull off another heroic underdog win then it will really shakes things up in the Chase picture.

As if it wasn't already, next week will be must watch TV as well as the other four regular season races that remain after WG. The pressure will continue to mount week in and week out until the last ten races where everything changes.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 21 (Week 20)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-1)- Kyle holds on this week because last week was just so dominate. It doesn't hurt he notched another top 10 this week at Pocono. Finish: 9th
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-2)- Harvick had a great car Monday but we will never know if it was a winning car because of the weather. Monday was his fourth straight top 10. Finish: 4th
3. Brad Keselowski (LW-4)- Would BK's fuel strategy he was on have been enough to win? Again, we will never know but if anyone knows how to stretch it it is the No. 2 team. Finish: 2nd
4. Joey Logano (LW-3)- One of the best cars on the day, JoLo had contact with the No. 24 when Chase got a little too aggressive and drove a bit over his head. He gets a break this week after looking like the winning car most of the day. Finish: 37th
5. Tony Stewart (LW-6)- This is a fun run. Boy I thought the first week I put Smoke on here it was for the "good ole times." Well, he has legitimately started a trend towards a Chase push. Finish: 5th
6. Matt Kenseth (LW-5)- After a hot three races run Pocono was disappointing for Kenseth. JGR is still the class of NASCAR at the moment so he shouldn't worry too much. Finish: 17th
7. Kyle Larson (LW-11)- How fun was Larson v Dillon while it lasted? Larson v Dillon, Larson v Elliott, those things have one thing in common, Larson. Larson is going to eventually collect some wins, he just has to finish off "all the ways Larson can lose a race," first. Finish: 6th
8. Kurt Busch (LW-7)- Rough to drop a spot after a top 10, but Kurt just hasn't been the same lately. Maybe they're saving something for the Chase? Maybe they're testing some for the Chase? Whatever it is they lost the consistency that got them on top of the standings. Finish: 10th
9. Carl Edwards (LW-9)- It doesn't feel like Carl has collected the 5th most points so far in 2016, but he has. On Monday he picked up his first top 10 in his last three races. Finish: 8th
10. Denny Hamlin (LW-10)- Hamlin was one of the three JGR cars to notched a top 10 on Monday. It was his third straight, but I just don't feel he is all the way there yet. Finish: 7th
11. Austin Dillon (LW-NR)- AD gets to jump back into the top 12 after his run at the front with Larson. He has five straight season's finishing 16th or better, four of those 13th or better, and two of those top 10's. Finish: 13th
12. Martin Truex Jr (LW-8)- Not a fun day for the No. 78 team on Monday after grabbing the weekend pole at a track Martin has run well at. The plus side? They got a head start out of town. Finish: 38th

Dropped Out: Jimmie Johnson (LW-12)

2016 NASCAR Pit Road Week 20: Indianapolis

Weekly Review and Power Rankings

Crown Royal Presents The Combat Wounded Coalition 400

By Richard Tix

Last year at this time the review was about the same: "Kyle Busch Dominating." That's because Rowdy just wrapped up three straight wins after his trip to victory lane at Indy last year at this time. This year he didn't come into the race dominating, but left it with that feeling.

Why? Well because from start to finish Rowdy was the class of the field. All in all no one could really challenge him. No surprise strategy. No late cautions. Nothing. The No. 18 team was on top of it all day.

Past the winner, the story lines get short quick. Jeff Gordon filled in for Dale Earnhardt Jr who is getting over concussion symptoms and Tony Stewart made his last (or we think it is) Indianapolis start in the Cup series. Both shared some special moment's after the race which will be burned into our NASCAR memories.

After that? Nothing much to talk about except that IMS and the Cup series is continuing a run of terrible races here. Look, I am all on board with strategy of all kinds (I've expressed it many times its all part of racing), but IMS has been long single file drawn out lines for years now. To make it worse, green flag runs are normal. If it wasn't for two cars (both the Penske No. 2 and No. 22) then the strategy of 40 cars wouldn't have even produced a story early on.

Those two decided to try and stretch fuel windows and cut down on a stop. Almost everything needed to go perfect, but at least it gave a drama-less race something to watch for. 

The real issue at IMS is, their is nothing that can save it. The racing is what it is here and most likely will always stay the same. Not every race is drama filled as I have mentioned before, but when year after year we get no action from a race it gets hard to bare. In the end all we are left with is nostalgia and the tradition of winning such a prestigious (yet boring) race. Sometimes that has to be enough in the world of racing because there is no puzzle piece to fit into place for IMS. It is what it is so we have to try and enjoy what is here, tradition and a tough race to get all the way through.

Pit Road Power Rankings Week 20 (Week 19)

1. Kyle Busch (LW-3)- The No. 1 spot continues to rotate. This time Rowdy takes it after a dominating win at IMS. Four top 10's in the last five races including a win and a runner up finish at Daytona. Finish: 1st
2. Kevin Harvick (LW-1)- Add yet another top 10 to his season performance. That is now a season leading 16th top 10. Finish: 6th
3. Joey Logano (LW-4)- Both the No. 2 and No. 22 were not the fastest guys on the day, but both teams played strategy and it paid off with a decent finish for JoLo. Finish: 7th
4. Brad Keselowski (LW-2)- See above but insert the strategy didn't pan out. Really neither early strategy played out, but BK ended up getting caught up in a wreck where Carl pushed the corner. The No. 2 had an ok day going, but nothing more. Finish: 17th
5. Matt Kenseth (LW-6)- Last week I watched other sites post Kenseth down near 12th (seriously!?!). After a win Kenseth came back and helped JGR go 1-2-4 to finish Indy. Finish: 2nd
6. Tony Stewart (LW-7)- Smoke had a pretty good car all day but it was apparent that it wouldn't be enough to touch Kyle Busch. It was still a solid run for a guy just needing to get hot at the right time. Finish: 11th
7. Kurt Busch (LW-5)- I have praised Kurt all seaosn for his consistency but where has that gone? Three times in his last four races he has finished outside the top 15. Finish: 16th
8. Martin Truex Jr (LW-10)- It's been an up and down year for Truex. Good runs, bad runs, runs that were good and NASCAR decided to drop the hammer on a rule. Martin has seen it all. Finish: 8th
9. Carl Edwards (LW-8)- Did anyone struggle as much at Carl did getting into a corner? Everyone thought it was just because he was on the outside, but then he caused a wreck on a restart while on the inside and we found out he was pushing the corner all day. Amazing how well he ran while having a poor handling car. Finish: 35th
10. Denny Hamlin (LW-NR)- Welcome back to the rankings Denny. It has been awhile, but we have not forgotten you. Hamlin has had some poor finishes (33, 37, 31, and 39) this season that is holding his consistency back. Finish: 4th
11. Kyle Larson (LW-NR)- After a two race stretch with unimpressive finishing results, Larson finally catches a break again. He actually finds himself right in the thick of the Chase race after a top 5 at IMS (16th in points). Finish: 5th
12. Jimmie Johnson (LW-NR)- It's crazy that JJ has been out of the top 12 for so long, but then again its crazy Sunday was his first top 10 in seven races and his second in eleven. Finish: 3rd

Dropped Out: Greg Biffle (LW-9), Ryan Newman (LW-11), and Jamie McMurray (LW-12)

Just Missed: Austin Dillon