NASCAR’s oldest short track lived up to hype last Sunday.
From bumping and banging in the half mile’s close-quarters corners. To finger-pointing the Brad Keselowski showed Kurt Busch on lap 85. To a record-number of lead changes (total of 33) that surpassed the previous record of 31 in the 2011 spring race. To a driver snapping an 83-race winless drought in dramatic fashion.
It’s fair to say that last Sunday had a bit of everything.
While the new rivalry between Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski has been one of the main topics since last Sunday, the real story is how Busch passed his old nemesis, Jimmie Johnson, twice in the final 30 laps to score the improbable victory.
With the victory, Busch now becomes the sixth different winner to start the season and the sixth driver to “virtually” lock up a Chase spot.
But with the big victory, where will Busch rank in this week’s Power Rankings?
We shall see.
1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — +/-0
Starting 26th was not going to stop Earnhardt, Jr. on Sunday. Like the veteran he is, Earnhardt, Jr. worked his way methodically through traffic and eventually to the front where he led 25 laps. Once the sun popped out in the final 100 laps, Earnhardt, Jr. appeared to have one the best cars as he found his way to 3rd and closed in on Busch and Johnson only to run out of time. Still, the strong season continues for Earnhardt, Jr. who leads the points.
At Texas: Texas has been a good track for Earnhardt, Jr. In 22 starts, Earnhardt, Jr. has one win, four top 5s and 12 top 10s with an average finish of 14.1. Earnhardt, Jr. has also scored five top 10s in his last six races at the track. Expect him to challenge this weekend.
2. Jimmie Johnson — +3
While he hasn’t won the last two races, Johnson has began to show his old form. Last Sunday, Johnson led 296 laps and appeared to have the best car when the track was under cloud cover. But when the sun came out in the final 100 laps, Johnson’s car got too loose which first cost him the lead when Bowyer went by with just over 50 to go and when Busch made the winning pass with less than 15 to go. Despite the late defeat, last Sunday’s performance should give Johnson and crew all the confidence they need to go out and win.
At Texas: No one has been better at Texas than Johnson. In 20 starts, Johnson has three wins, nine top 5s and 15 top 10s with an average finish of 9.1. Johnson has also won two of the last four at the track and his worst finish in that span is 6th. Expect him to be the favorite this weekend.
3. Matt Kenseth — +3
After leading 36 laps in the first half of Sunday’s race, Kenseth looked to have one of the best cars. But after foregoing fresh tires after the leaders pitted, Kenseth fell like a rock on the worn rubber eventually going down a lap. Kenseth eventually made up his lost lap and charged from about 25th to 6th in the final 100 laps of the race. Nice rebound for what was a botch pit call.
At Texas: Johnson might be the best at Texas, but Kenseth has not been too shabby. In 22 starts, Kenseth has two wins, 13 top 5s and 16 top 10s with an average finish of 8.1. In Kenseth’s last 16 starts at the track, he has finished outside the top 10 twice with his worst finish being 20th — phenomenal streak. Expect Kenseth to be a major player on Sunday.
4. Jeff Gordon — -2
To most drivers, a 12th place finish at Martinsville is decent result. But with Gordon’s record there, that is a major letdown. After running in the top 5 in the first 100 laps of Sunday’s race, Gordon pitted when most of the leaders did not and lost all of his track position. He later damaged the hood of his car on lap 119 while racing in deep traffic and never got back to very front. Surprisingly, Gordon and crew struggled with the handling of the car under the cloudy conditions and nearly went a lap down late in the running. Gordon was able to make some headway when the sun came out and moved from 21st to 12th in the final 100 laps. Still, not what most expected from Gordon and team.
At Texas: Texas has been feast or famine for Gordon. In 26 starts, Gordon has one win, eight top 5s and 11 top 10s with an average finish of 17.8. He had strong cars in both races last year only for a front suspension problem in the spring race and tire issue in the fall take him out of contention — Gordon finished 38th in both events. If he can avoid bad luck this weekend, expect Gordon to challenge for the victory.
5. Carl Edwards — -2
After running in the top 5 and challenging for the lead in the first three quarters of the race, Edwards faded late last Sunday. Edwards first spun on his own in turn 2 with about 50 laps to and luckily did not receive any damage. He later faded from the top 10 to 13th in the final 40 laps of the race. Disappointing end to what had been a strong race.
At Texas: Edwards has been good at Texas. In 17 starts, Edwards has three wins, six top 5s and eight top 10s with an average finish of 15.6. Expect a good showing this weekend from Edwards and crew.
6. Joey Logano — +2
One of the strongest Fords last weekend was Logano. Logano led a career-high 39 laps at Martinsville and ran in the top 10 almost all race. He wound up 4th at the end of the day, a solid rebound from two tough weeks at Bristol and California.
At Texas: The numbers have not been that strong for Logano at Texas. In 12 starts, Logano has no wins, three top 5s and three top 10s with an average finish of 18.3. But Logano has been hot lately, finishing 5th and 3rd in both races last year. Don’t be surprised if Logano is at the front once again on Sunday.
7. Kyle Busch — +/-0
After starting on pole on Sunday everyone thought that Busch was going to be a factor all race — that was hardly the case. After leading 22 laps early last Sunday, Busch faded deep into the pack before lap 100. His car appeared to be decent for short spurts but would quickly fall off on the long run. Busch never challenged for the top spot in the remaining 400 laps and finished a disappointing 14th place.
A Texas: Texas has been a decent track for Busch. In 16 starts, Busch has one win, five top 5s and six top 10s with an average finish of 14.6. He is the defending winner of this race and had a top 5 car in the fall until a pit road-speeding penalty doomed that effort. Let’s see what Busch has in store this weekend.
8. Brad Keselowski — -4
Last Sunday was a race to forget for Keselowski. He was taken out of contention when the whole front end of his car was severely damaged after contact on pit road with Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne on lap 43. After returning to the track, he and Busch played a game of bumper cars for about 20 laps which initiated a new rivalry. To make matters worse, Busch went on to win the race while Keselowski had to settle for 38th at the finish. Terrible day for the 2012 champion.
At Texas: Texas has been a two-story chapter for Keselowski. In his first nine races, Keselowski’s best finish was 14th. But his last three finishes have been 2nd, 9th and 6th, respectively. Let’s see if this recent trend continues for No.2 team.
9. Kurt Busch — +10
The biggest leap this week goes to Busch who climbs to 9th in the rankings and is, ironically, behind Keselowski. After telling his team “We’re done” after the early pit road damage, Busch slowly worked his way through the field and climbed into the top 5 in the race’s second half. Once the sun came out, Busch had one of the better cars and he showed it by passing Johnson for the win late in the race. The win makes it Busch’s second consecutive top 5 finish and more importantly makes him a near-lock for this year’s Chase.
At Texas: Texas has been a solid track for Busch in the past. In 21 starts, Busch has one win, three top 5s and 11 top 10s with an average finish of 15.6. With the recent momentum this team has acquired in the last two weeks, don’t be surprised if Busch gets another solid finish on Sunday.
10. Brian Vickers — -1
Vickers had another solid weekend. After starting 13th, Vickers ran in the top 15 most of the day and finished in 16th to move to 12th in the standings. The drivers of the No.55 Aaron’s Dream Machine is leading the banner so far for MWR.
At Texas: Texas has not been kind to Vickers. In 14 starts, Vickers has only one top 10 and his average finish is 22.5 — not good at all. Let’s see if those fortunes can change this weekend.
11. Kevin Harvick — +5
For the first time in nearly a month, Harvick was able to finish where he was running. After qualifying 18th, Harvick flirted with the front and the rear of the pack most of the day. He avoided any mechanical setbacks all day and was able to come home with a clean 7th place finish. A good day for Harvick and crew who needed something positive.
At Texas: Harvick has been strong in Texas. In 21 starts, Harvick has no wins, two top 5s and 10 top 10s with an average finish of 12.1. If something doesn’t break down with the car this weekend, expect Harvick at the front once again on Sunday.
12. Austin Dillon — +1
He has not shown blazing speed, but the rookie is consistent. In his first career race at Martinsville, Dillon kept his car clean most of the race and finished in 15th — the only rookie to finish in the top 20 on Sunday. That’s Dillon third consecutive top 15 finish in the young season. This kid will only get better with time.
At Texas: Dillon has only made two starts at Texas in part-time roles and finished 22nd and 33rd, respectively. He should do better than that this time around.
13. Denny Hamlin — -3
After qualifying 2nd and promising that he would win on Sunday, Hamlin was nowhere to be found. Hamlin struggled with the handling of his racecar all day and barely ran in the top 10. He eventually faded from the top 15 to 19th at the finish. A terrible day for Hamlin on one of his best tracks.
At Texas: Texas has been a strong track for Hamlin in the past. In 16 starts, Hamlin has two wins, five top 5s and eight top 10s with an average finish of 10.1. This might be the weekend where Hamlin rebounds from his troubles at California.
14. Paul Menard — +3
For the third time in four races, Menard finished in the top 10. The RCR driver ran amongst the leaders most of the race and avoided trouble to finish in 10th. The finish now puts Menard 11th in the standings which has placed him in solid points position after a slow start to the season.
At Texas: Menard has not fared too well at Texas. In 14 starts, Menard has no wins, one top 5 and two top 10s with an average finish of 19.1. Let’s see if the recent run of success can help Menard change those fortunes.
15. Jamie McMurray — -4
After a strong 6th place finish at California, McMurray found unfortunate trouble at Martinsville. He was spun by Earnhardt, Jr. while running in the top 10 on lap 200 and pounded the turn 2 wall. The damage forced McMurray to the garage where he lost 100 laps making repairs. McMurray went on to finish 42nd — ouch.
At Texas: Texas has been up and down for McMurray. In 19 starts, McMurray has no wins, three top 5s and six top 10s but has an average finish of 18th. He has not scored a top 10 since fall race in 2008. Let’s see if those fortunes can turn around on Sunday.
16. Kasey Kahne — -4
Martinsville was like a roller coaster for Kahne. He was involved in the lap 1 caution and was later caught up in the Keselowski/Busch pit road incident on lap 43. Kahne rebounded from those two issues to charge from 41st to 5th in the mid stages, but he lost the handle of his racecar and faded to 22nd in the final 100 laps.
At Texas: Kahne has had decent success at Texas. In 18 starts, Kahne has one win, five top 5s and six top 10s with an average finish of 17.2. In six races thus far, Kahne has not been able to show the speed that his three Hendrick teammates have. Let’s see if he can turn that around.
17. Tony Stewart — +/-0
After qualifying 7th and running with the leaders in the first 100 laps, Stewart struggled with the handling of his car the rest of the day. He never ran in the top 10 the rest of the day and had to settle for 17th. But on the bright side, his teammate won.
At Texas: Stewart has been pretty good at Texas. In 23 starts, Stewart has two wins, six top 5s and 12 top 10s with an average finish of 13.1. Those numbers bode well for a good showing this weekend.
18. Kyle Larson — -4
After an outstanding weekend at California, Larson had a struggle at Martinsville. While he ran in the top 5 in the first of the race, Larson struggled with the handle in the second half and spun on his own off turn 2 late in the event. He went on to finish two laps down in 27th. Not good.
At Texas: Larson has run only one race at Texas which was last fall, he finished in 23rd.
19. Ryan Newman — -1
Martinsville was disappointing for Newman. After running in the top 10 for the majority of the race, Newman faded to 20th in the final 100 laps, marking his second consecutive 20th place result for the RCR driver.
At Texas: Newman has been up and down at Texas. In 20 starts, Newman has one win, three top 5s and five top 10s with an average finish of 18.5. He’s had back-to-back top 10s at the track. Let’s see if he can get a third on Sunday.
20. Clint Bowyer — NEW
The heart-break driver on Sunday was Bowyer. After chasing down and passing Johnson with 50 laps to go, his pit crewed botched the final stop causing Bowyer to drop from 1st to 10th with only about 40 laps to go. Bowyer could only get back to 9th at the finish. Bitter loss for Bowyer who was poised to get his first win at the Virginia short track.
At Texas: Bowyer has had moderated success at Texas. In 15 starts, Bowyer has no wins, two top 5s and eight top 10s with an average finish of 13.3. Let’s see if Bowyer and crew can rebound from the Martinsville heart break with a solid showing at the Lone-Star state.
Notable: Dropped Out — Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
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