NASCAR Power Rankings: Homestead
1. Jimmie Johnson- 7 Wins, 23 Top Tens
Jimmie Johnson had a statement victory at Phoenix but don’t think he’s immune to problems at Homestead. The last time Jimmie Johnson didn’t win the championship he had a blown tire at Homestead that ruined his day and his championship hopes (2005).
2. Mark Martin – 5 Wins, 21 Top Tens
Finishing second must almost be like a tradition for Mark Martin fans. Michael Jordon stopped many of his competitors from winning championships and Jimmie Johnson is doing the exact same thing. MJ took his sport to the next level and so will JJ.
3. Kurt Busch – 2 Win, 20 Top Tens
Kurt Busch was poised to be one of Jimmie Johnson’s biggest competitors at Phoenix but the 2 team lost the handle of their car mid race. I’m sure Roger Penske wishes that he could have made Pat Tryson a counter offer to stay.
4. Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 24 Top Tens
Earnhardt and Petty have their 7 by 7 club and soon Jeff Gordon will be able to start his own 4 by 4 club with Jimmie Johnson. Or even better yet he could do it by himself with his 4 driver championships and 4 owner championships.
5. Denny Hamlin – 3 Wins, 19 Top Tens
For anyone who ever goes to my fantasy chats then you’ll know that my default Denny Hamlin advice works. “If its flat or short pick Hamlin”. If Hamlin ever wants to win the championship then he really needs to win at an intermediate track.
6. Tony Stewart – 4 Wins, 23 Top Tens
Under the old system Stewart would only be 8 points back. That systems dead so this shouldn’t even be news. The real news that Stewart created for the week was over his radio. Stewart called Jr a “no driving talent sob”. Yikes.
7. Juan Pablo Montoya – 7 Top Fives, 18 Top Tens
Juan Pablo Montoya’s rise is certainly one of the best stories of the season but no one possibly thought he might finish in the top 5 in points. Montoya’s magic Homestead number is 5 points, that’s how many points he needs to gain on Tony Stewart.
8. Greg Biffle – 10 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens
Historically Homestead is a very good place for Biffle with his 3 career wins at the track. Don’t buy into that hype this weekend because those wins all were with the old car. The best he’s finished with the COT is 13th.
9. Kasey Kahne – 2 Wins, 14 Top Tens
Kahne started his NASCAR driving career with Ford and after Homestead he’ll once again be in a Ford. I don’t know if I should be happy or sad for him. I guess we’ll all find out next season.
10. Ryan Newman – 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens
Newman returned to the Chase in 2009 but once he made it there really wasn’t anything to brag about. He finished 7th twice but what’s so great about that?
11. Carl Edwards – 7 Top Fives, 13 Top Tens
Edwards was good in the spring but ever since then it’s all been downhill. If I were Carl I wouldn’t be expecting a very good seat at the Las Vegas awards banquet this year.
12. Brian Vickers – 1 Win, 13 Top Tens
Believe it or not Vickers is improving. His Chase average finish right now is 23. Last year over the same segment of races his average finish was 25.1. Next year he might be able to get it down to around 20.
– What your reading here is a sample of what you can read from Onpitrow.com. If you would like to see my more complete Power Rankings just click here.
