Power Rankings: Phoenix

Power

Rankings

Phoenix:

Wow, what a crazy weekend at Daytona, we definitely have a shake up in this weeks top 10 as the Series moves out to the desert.

New In This Week: Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin

Dropped Out: Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne

Close, But No Cigar (this week): Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Paul Menard

1. Matt Kenseth (+6 spots)

Pretty much a no brainer putting him up to #1, he had a dominate and solid performance on a night when nothing was certain. He has never been great a Phoenix, but with the newly resurfaced track, it could be anyone's game.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (+6)

So close, yet still not enough. Once again we see Little E make a last ditch effort to snag a second Daytona 500 only to come up one spot short. His winless streak will end this year, I'm sure of it, and Phoenix could be the place as he has past victories there.

3. Carl Edwards (-2)

An 8th place finish in a strange Daytona race is nothing to be ashamed of. But after sitting on the pole and seeing teammates Kenseth and Biffle dominate the night, it leaves you scratching your head just a bit as to why he wasn't dominating with them. Phoenix is a strong track for this team.

4. Kevin Harvick (+2)

Once again, Mr. "Where did he come from?"finds a way to sneak in another Daytona top 10. After having to pit early from the Lap 1 wreck, he methodically worked his way up to being in contention, guess it shouldn't be a surprise anymore. Phoenix was strong for him in the past, not so much in recent years.

5. Tony Stewart (-3)

I suppose 16th isn't that bad of a finish, it kept him from falling back too far in the rankings this week. Looked like he had a pretty strong car, just no one to work with, and the last crash took away any hope of him scoring his 1st Daytona 500 win. Phoenix is always a good track for Stewart.

6. Greg Biffle (+4, was unranked)

Roush Fenway had a hell of showing, those were some dominate cars. He couldn't get the last lap run with Dale Jr. to steal that win, but he was up front all night. If he runs like this all year, he could be a threat to win it all.

7. Kyle Busch (-4)

Where was that awesome driving we saw in the Bud Shootout? 17th place just doesn't cut it after that showing last week. I know he got caught up in that last wreck, but he never really showed much all night anyway. Almost won this Phoenix race last year, most likely will be strong again.

8. Denny Hamlin (+2, was unranked)

He looked like the only car who could truly challenge Kenseth and Biffle all night. Maybe having last year's championship crew chief re-ignited his fire. He's always been on and off at Phoenix so we'll see what we get.

9. Jeff Gordon (-5)

He was running strong until that freak engine failure occurred. I can't drop him out of the top 10 this week for something he couldn't help, plus he won this race last year at Phoenix, so his momentum could turn on a dime.

10. Jimmie Johnson (-5)

As with Gordon, I can't drop Johnson out of the top 10 for that freak accident on the first lap of the race. You know that Jimmie and Chad are probably pissed, so they'll bring their A game to Phoenix, a track they always run well at.

Phoenix should begin to show who is going to be good this year and who just had a good Daytona. Can't wait until Sunday!