Weekly Review and Power Rankings
GoBowling 400
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| Photo: Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images |
By Richard Tix
Thursday May, 26th. Red Nose Day. Over the last 25 years Red Nose Day has raised over $1 Billion Dollars to help kids across the world fight poverty. They help fund food banks, resource children and schools with books, medical services, and more. All by helping raise awareness and money from people more fortunate then others.
Why do I bring this up? Well, Kyle Busch won Saturday Night's race at Kansas and his car was also trying to help raise awareness for Red Nose Day (not the first time it has been on Rowdy's car). So, if you can give them a look and help raise awareness or money for this cause. So, have some fun and check it out here: Red Nose Day.
Getting past seeing red noses in victory lane, the race Saturday night had a bunch of up's and downs. Early and often it was all Martin Truex Jr and it truly was his race to lose. He and his crew were on point until one single pit stop ruined the night.
From there Kyle Busch mostly took over. One late scare for Kyle came when Kevin Harvick charged but it looked like once he got to his back bumper he made the decision not to move Kyle and lost all momentum. From that point on Kyle lead with a nice cushion on his way to his third win of 2016.
Even on older tires Kyle still held off Harvick with fresh tires, so it proved that clean air still rules a bit, but when won't it? It is important to note that in years past Harvick wouldn't have even gotten as close to Kyle's back bumper as he did (with Kyle in clean air). Maybe this night Kyle was just that much better?
It will be interesting to watch going forward, but so far the product has been better then in season's past and clean air at least doesn't factor in as much as it had. I just don't see a way that clean air will every fully not factor, but the closer we get to it the better. So far, we have closed that gap a bit and I think if we continue to work at taking down force away and work to match that with track specific tires it could give us a fantastic product.
Pit Road Power Rankings Week 11 (Week 10)
- Kyle Busch (LW-1)- Rowdy's last six races have included three wins and two second place finishes, not too bad. He has four other top 5 finishes to go along with those five (making it three wins, two runner up's, and nine top 10's. Last year Harvick had two wins, six runner up finishes, and ten top 10's in the same 11 race start. Finish: 1st
- Kevin Harvick (LW-3)- On just points alone (no emphasis on wins), Harvick is still the points leader. However, you can't say he has been as good as Kyle this season. Harvick has been one of the best non JGR driver all season even though he only has one win. Finish: 2nd
- Carl Edwards (LW-2)- Carl bounced back from a wreck at Talladega with an ok finish at Kansas. Overall it was one of his worse performances on the season, but he found away to still bring in a decent result. Finish: 11th
- Kurt Busch (LW-4)- As a 2016 non winner, Kurt Busch has to be at the top of the list for strongest driver without a win. Most of that has been overlooked in my mind as well as he sits fifth in overall points (no emphasis on wins) with three top 5's and nine top 10's. Finish: 3rd
- Brad Keselowski (LW-7)- BK has a strong car most the night, but it wasn't near a winning car. However, the team bounced back after Hamlin's aggressive move left little air to be had and both cars in a synchronized spin. Still, this team is not as strong as it has been in years past and everyone has some catching up to do with JGR. Finish: 10th
- Chase Elliott (LW-6)- Who would have guessed Chase Elliott would have the most top 10 finishes at HMS through the first 11 races at the start of the season? I was high on him entering the season but I wouldn't have guessed he would already have this much top 10 success. On Saturday he struggled most the race (average running position of 16th) and he still found a way to finish top 10. Finish: 9th
- Jimmie Johnson (LW-5)- Chase may have more top 10's in 2016 so far, but JJ has been the best HMS driver when it comes to title hopes. He ran better than he finished Saturday night, but he likely wasn't going to win anyways. Finish: 17th
- Martin Truex Jr (LW-10)- What a night for the No. 78. Most of the race he dominated by having the fastest car and also the best pit stops. Ironically it was a pit stop that lost him the commanding lead (loose wheel/lug nut) and the win. They still fought back after being laps down to a respectable finish. Finish: 14th
- Dale Earnhardt Jr (LW-9)- It has been a rough season so far for Junior and crew. Six of eleven races Jr has an average running position of 14th or worse. He has struggled to qualify strong which is really hurting him and starting him in a hole. Finish: 15th
- Austin Dillon (LW-NR)- Saturday as a whole was not very good for AD, but the No. 3 found a way to be up front late. He now has three top 5's and six top 10's to start 2016 which are both season long career high's (and we're only 11 races in). Finish: 6th
- Joey Logano (LW-8)- Not much blame can go on Joey for getting involved in the DH, BK, Larson indecent. It was the second week in a row where JoLo wrecked which resulted in a poor finish. Before being involved he was having a decent night and looked to finish top 10. Finish: 38th
- Ryan Blaney (LW-NR)- Currently Blaney would be in the Chase, but it is way to early to be talking about that. Saturday Blaney notched back to back top 10's for the second time this season which now gives him four total (it was also his first top 5 of 2016). Finish: 5th
Dropped Out: Trevor Bayne (LW-11) and Jamie McMurray (LW-12)
Just Missed: Matt Kenseth and A.J. Allmendinger
