The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – September

Posted on September 29, 2017 by jameskuch

It’s a playoff edition of the rankings!

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LM 1)

There’s been one driver and one driver alone who deserves this spot for the majority of the season. That’s the highest praise you can give Martin Truex Jr. His team is the best out there week in and week out.

2 Kyle Busch (LM 2)

Three drivers have separated themselves this season. Kyle’s number two…

3 Kyle Larson (LM 3)

…and number 3! Larson is still my pick to win the title. He’s not given me a reason to waiver.

4 Brad Keselowski (LM 9)

This is where the rankings get difficult. Brad spent most of the season hanging around my 10th spot. But he’s really coming on strong when it matters. That’s enough for me to give him the big jump to 4th.

5 Denny Hamlin (LM 5)

Hanging around, hanging around, hanging around. I feel like Denny isn’t that far off but he’s not known for hot streaks.

6 Chase Elliott (LM 7)

Chase is still in the show me something point of his career. Being the best performing car at Hendrick used to mean something but man, what a struggle it’s been.

7 Matt Kenseth (LM NR)

Introducing, for the first time this season, the driver of the number 20 (but not for much longer), Matty Ice!

8 Kevin Harvick (LM 4)

If one guy is going to sneak into the final four at Homestead, I think it’s this dude right here. The New Hampshire accident hurt but he’s got enough cushion to push through.

9 Jimmie Johnson (LM 6)

What a strange season. I’ve never seen Jimmie struggle like this and yet he’s still a top 10 driver in the series. We have 8 races to go and he only has 3 top-fives and 9 top-tens! Can we count him out yet? I’ll answer that… NO!

10 Ryan Blaney (LM NR)

He gets this spot by default only because he’s 8th in points. Honestly, I have no idea what to do here.

Also considered

Jamie McMurray and… I don’t know… pick a number.

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – August

Posted on August 24, 2017 by jameskuch

We’re entering the home stretch of the 2017 season! This is our last rankings before the Playoffs begin. Let’s take a look at who’s on top before we head to Darlington.

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LM 1)

Lock it up! The one seed in the Playoffs is going to be one of the last four standings.

2 Kyle Busch (LM 4)

Last month I asked KB to “Just. Win. Kyle.” He’s done that and is now the top Kyle in the rankings. His average finish is just as good as Martin Truex’s. The big difference between the two is Playoff Points.

3 Kyle Larson (LM 2)

In July I said this guy was still dangerous even though the team was slumping. Michigan proved that his talent, when put in the right position, will get the job done. If he can make Homestead, he’s got just as good of a shot as anyone.

4 Kevin Harvick (LM 5)

In 2017 we have not seen the Happy we’re used to. However, the dude is still really consistent. It’s impressive considering everything SHR has had to change going into the beginning of the year.

5 Denny Hamlin (LM 6)

He’s the third best Toyota driver. That’s enough for a top 5 spot for me.

6 Jimmie Johnson (LM 3)

The most impressive thing he’s done in the last two months is his 107 mile bike ride in Michigan. I still won’t count him out.

7 Chase Elliott (LM 7)

Just hang in there. Don’t let the bubble burst on you.

8 Jamie McMurray (LM 8)

Same with Jamie. Just hang on!

9 Brad Keselowski (LM 10)

I’ll be honest, I don’t know what to do with 7-10 in the rankings. It’s a weird paradox! Brad should have won Michigan. The second half of that race was pure Toyota power. Sandbagging?

10 Erik Jones (LM NR)

I’m not going to defend putting Erik here. He’s on fire! A win is coming but will it be before the Playoffs? I think so.

Also considered

Ryan Blaney, Trevor Bayne, and The Darlington Stripe.

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – July

Posted on July 20, 2017 by jameskuch

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings are moving to a monthly format. Here’s July’s rankings for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LM 1)

It’s going to take a lot to move Martin off the top spot. He’s bad fast week in and week out and now leads the regular season standings. He’s almost a lock to make the final in Miami.

2 Kyle Larson (LM 2)

The penalties have hurt. But the 42 team is still just a dangerous as ever. It’s going to be a two-horse race the rest of the way.

3 Jimmie Johnson (LM 3)

Jimmie has not been overly impressive other than his wins. Those wins lock him into the third spot by default. This next month will tell us all we need to know about how legit the 48 team is.

4 Kyle Busch (LM 4)

Just. Win. Kyle. It’s time to get it done. The 18 team is far too good to be win less.

5 Kevin Harvick (LM 5)

Happy got his win at Sonoma! That was a huge boost for the 4 team and SHR. They are still not where they need to be but they are on the edge.

6 Denny Hamlin (LM 10)

New Hampshire was a big deal. JGR need Denny’s win in a bad way. Are the floodgates officially opened?

7 Chase Elliott (LM 6)

MIS is coming. MIS is coming.

8 Jamie McMurray (LM 7)

I think this guy is going to be right there competing for the win in Indy. Good not great.

9 Ryan Blaney (LW 9)

My pick to win Indy! Silly Season note: I really wish he would stay in the 21 car.

10 Brad Keselowski (LM8)

I don’t even know what to say about Brad anymore. Check back next month to see if he’s still on the list. He’s hanging on by a thread.

Also considered
Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Alex Bowman

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – Toyota/Save Mart 350

Posted on June 21, 2017 by jameskuch

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LW 1)

I said last week he would be fast… Not much of a leap. He won the first two stages at MIS but once again, did not seal the deal. He has a win at Sonoma in 2013.

2 Kyle Larson (LW 3)

It’s so cool to see this guy get better every week. He’s on a roll if you include his sprint car wins! I was so close to making him number one but Truex is still the top dog.

3 Jimmie Johnson (LW 2)

His one road course win came at Sonoma in 2011. He’s coming off a top 10 at MIS and a wicked argument with Chad.

4 Kyle Busch (LW 5)

His 2015 win in Sonoma catapulted him to a championship run. He could really use that type of bump again this season.

5 Kevin Harvick (LW 4)

Kyle finally got past Harv in the rankings! I still feel like both of them can win any week now. Well maybe not this week for Happy. Although, he has been better at Sonoma since joining SHR.

6 Chase Elliott (LW 7)

Mark it down! He wins MIS in August.

7 Jamie McMurray (LW 8)

He’s running great! But you have to wonder when Larson’s success bleeds over and the 1 car wins a race.

8 Brad Keselowski (LW 6)

Since I started these rankings, no one has fallen further. It’s time to be concerned.

9 Ryan Blaney (LW 9)

Follows up a win with a wreck. Still one heck of a year he’s got going.

10 Denny Hamlin (LW 10)

He had a shot at it on Sunday and got the job done Saturday. Even if the win was encumbered his battle with William Byron got me off the couch.

Also considered

Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Erik Jones, Ernie Irvan

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

Posted on June 12, 2017 by jameskuch

Note: My apologies for not posting a Power Rankings before Pocono! As a working, new dad, sometimes things get in the way of my hobbies. For the record, after Dover, Jimmie Johnson would have been number one as promised. However! We’re headed to my home track this week, leaving Pocono in the rear-view. Here are your updated Power Rankings.

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LW 1)

Two solid weeks back-to-back. Martin holds down the first spot again. I have a feeling he’s going to be fast at MIS… Just a hunch.

2 Jimmie Johnson (LW 5)

I don’t care that Jimmie crashed at Pocono. I’m glad he’s OK! His win in Dover was so reminiscent of Homested in 2016 that it’s giving me nightmares.

3 Kyle Larson (LW 3)

Am I starting to expect too much out of Larson? Yes. Do I expect him to win Michigan? Yes. Do I expect him to win every week? Well, yeah!

4 Kevin Harvick (LW 4)

Kyle Busch has been better. But Harv is stringing together results! Getting closer.

5 Kyle Busch (LW 6)

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Side note. Can you imagine if someone blocked him like he blocked Blaney? Tears would be shed.

6 Brad Keselowski (LW 2)

Great interview by Brad and Blaney after Pocono. Again, I rather see the results and less TV.

7 Chase Elliott (LW 8)

Signs of life the last two weeks. His daddy was really good at MIS. Just FYI.

8 Jamie McMurray (LW 7)

Ouch.

9 Ryan Blaney (LW NR)

I’m so happy for this kid. He’s got a bright future. What a win!

10 Denny Hamlin (LW 10)

Blaney winning means that Denny might have this spot locked down for a little bit.

Also considered

Kurt Busch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Roger Curtis

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – AAA 400 at Dover

Posted on May 31, 2017 by jameskuch

1 Martin Truex Jr. (LW 2)

Just like last year, he dominated the 600. Unlike last year he didn’t take the checker flag. This dude leads all drivers with 16 playoff points and is the current 1 seed in the playoff standings. Martin is not going away anytime soon. He’s got a nice little history with Dover too!

2 Brad Keselowski (LW 1)

It’s fun when Brad has a Facebook Live and feud with Kyle Busch in the same day. I just wish he would complete the full race first.

3 Kyle Larson (LW 3)

I’m so sorry. This week was all my fault, Kyle. I won’t pick you to win for awhile.

4 Kevin Harvick (LW 4)

Alright, Kevin. It’s time to become a first-time Ford race winner. That’s the only thing left on the 2017 resume.

5 Jimmie Johnson (LW 6)

If Jimmie wins Dover, he’s going to the top of the rankings. I’m just warning you. He is the real Dover Monster.

6 Kyle Busch (LW 7)

Rowdy is slowly climbing. His All-Star win was a nice escape but another close call at the 600 had KB bumming again. Wins are coming.

7 Jamie McMurray (LW 5)

I don’t feel good about moving Jamie Mac down two spots. This is not taking away from his great season. He needs a win but his consistency should be noted.

8 Chase Elliott (LW 8)

It was a rough week for the some of our Power Ranking main stays. The Brad/Chase crash really bummed out The SuperSpeedway team, as race fans. It’s too early in the race to lose two big hitters.

9 Joey Logano (LW 9)

Joey is sitting 14th in the playoff standings. The way the Penske cars seems to be sliding, that encumbered win could be really costly.

10 Denny Hamlin (LW NR)

Denny takes back the 10th spot from Ryan Blaney. The way these guys are going, they will be wrestling for this spot for awhile.

Also considered

Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, The Dover Monster

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – All-Star/Coke 600

Posted on May 18, 2017 by jameskuch

1 Brad Keselowski (LW 1)

Led zero laps in Kansas but walked away with another great run, finishing second. I don’t have the heart to bump him from the top spot. He’s just too good.

2 Martin Truex Jr. (LW 4)

From the Big One at Talladega to the Big Won in Kansas. Martin is no joke and that 78 team is no sleeper. They are a legit title contender. Let’s see if he stinks up the 600 again this year. You could call the four stages, in Charlotte, the “Martin Rule.”

3 Kyle Larson (LW 2)

The fire that was the start of 2017 has cooled for Kyle. But another top 10 at Kansas? He’ll take it. Look out for this guy in Charlotte.

4 Kevin Harvick (LW 8)

Here’s your big mover of the week! Not just because of his third place finish, but because everyone in front of him had issues and opened the door. I feel like the 4 team is oh so close to winning in that Ford.

5 Jamie McMurray (LW 7)

Ol Jamie Mac is not going away. He notched another top 10 in Kansas and has had some great success in Charlotte over the years. Is this the car to watch the next two weeks?

6 Jimmie Johnson (LW 3)

He’s not slumping. He’s not slumping. He’s not slumping… Sorry, I still need to remind myself because the 80+ wins and seven titles isn’t enough.

7 Kyle Busch (LW 9)

If he ever wins this year it won’t be soon enough. Sorry fans. It’s coming soon.

8 Chase Elliott (LW 5)

Kudos to Jeff Gordon for calling out the 24 team on the pit exit that ruined Chase’s day. You know he’s got some ties to the 24 car, right?

9 Joey Logano (LW 6)

Who would have thought his win in Richmond would be the start of a really hard slide? Side note: I’m really glad Aric is OK after that wreck. Wow.

10 Ryan Blaney (LW NR)

Ryan is going to be fighting for this 10th spot all season. I was really hoping he would seal the deal in Kansas. If this kid figures it out, look out.

Also considered

Clint Bowyer, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Denny Hamlin, Michael McDowell, The NASCAR Safety Team (Nice job guys)

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – Kansas

Posted on May 10, 2017 by jameskuch

1 +2 Brad Keselowski

Battled through the big one and survived with a top 10. He was also your stage one winner. Is Brad the best restrictor plate racer on the circuit?

2 -1 Kyle Larson

Finished 12^th at Talladega after having issues early. He’s struggled at Kansas but has also reached a new level this year. This week will be a good test, much like the rest of the season to this point.

3 +3 Jimmie Johnson

Was in position to steal another win at Talladega before sliding to 8th. He’s good at Kansas. Who am I kidding? He’s good everywhere.

4 -2 Martin Truex Jr.

Big one victim.

5 -1 Chase Elliott

Ditto. Did you see the camera angle of him grinding the wall like Tony Hawk? Awesome.

6 -1 Joey Logano

Ditto again. Bonus bad luck. His Richmond win will no longer count for the playoffs.

7 +2 Jamie McMurray

I’m not ready to rank him higher than 7^th,but his second place run at Talladega was a great reminder of how good he is on the plate tracks.

8 -1 Kevin Harvick

Was in the big one but stuck around till the end. I’m starting to get itchy waiting for the 4 car to get to victory lane.

9 NR Kyle Busch

KB had it in the bag! How often are we going to say that this year? By the way, he’s a world-beater at Kansas. Fantasy players take note.

10 NR Denny Hamlin

What a day for JGR! Led a ton of laps and didn’t get the win. Denny did get a stage win, however.

Also considered

Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Spongebob Squarepants, Cole Whitt, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The SuperSpeedway Power Rankings – Talladega

Posted on May 1, 2017 by jameskuch

1. Kyle Larson

Larson leads the series in stage points, overall points and is among the leaders in laps led. He’s been racing up front all season, and it’s at the point where this is no longer and aberration. Larson is here to say as a legit contender.

2. Martin Truex Jr.

He’s not my favorite personality in the garage, but we’re going on two and a half seasons of Truex as a weekly contender. He’s dominating the series in stage wins and is second in laps led. There’s no denying it.

3. Brad Keselowski

He should have won on Sunday. You could argue that Brad should have four wins already this season. I’m having a hard time not putting him at the top of this list.

4. Chase Elliott

This dude needs to seal the deal and get a win. It’s going to happen, but I’m hoping sooner rather than later.

5. Joey Logano

My pick to win Richmond came through! I’ve never been happier to see that ridiculous grin. Joey has been pretty quiet this season, but he leads the series with eight top-10 finishes and six top-5s.

6. Jimmie Johnson

A week ago he was probably in the top spot. Weird to see him with two wins but only three top-10s. Also, he’s blind. I got your back Jr. Nation.

7. Kevin Harvick

Still waiting for that first Ford win. He’s been solid, but Ol’ Harv has got room to improve and plenty of time to do it. Is it a surprise that he leads the series in laps led?

8. Clint Bowyer

Compared to last season, Clint is a man on fire! He is yet to lead a lap in the 14 car, but things are surely better when CB is happy.

9. Jamie McMurray

Probably the biggest surprise in the rankings is J-Mac. No top 5s yet but he’s 7th in points and 6th in stage points this season. It’s good to see Chip Ganassi Racing battling up front every week.

10. Ryan Blaney

He struggled Sunday, and I struggled to put him 10th in the rankings. His two stage wins and seventh overall place in stage points helps him for this list, but he’s slipping.

Also considered
Someone from Joe Gibbs Racing, Ryan Newman, D.J. Kennington, Kurt Busch and Corey LaJoie’s dad.