Power Rankings: Las Vegas

Power

Rankings

Las Vegas:

Denny Hamlin and Greg Biffle have started off the 2012 season hot, so it's no wonder that they are going to be at the top of this weeks power rankings. Lets see where everyone else is going to fall.

New In This Week: Joey Logano

Dropped Out: Tony Stewart

Close, But No Cigar: Martin Truex Jr., Mark Martin, Bobby Labonte

1. Denny Hamlin (+7 spots)

Hamlin used to work at Subway and lived in Phoenix for 7 weeks in the offseason. So it makes perfect sense that he won the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway and moved up 7 spots in this week's rankings! A 4th and a 1st in the first two races puts Hamlin at the top of the Sprint Cup standings, so that'll do the same in this week's power rankings.

2. Greg Biffle (+4)

Daytona: 3rd place. Phoenix: 3rd place. Keep that up Greg and you'll be in great shape come Chase time. Maybe you should add a win or two though, but it's still very early in the season.

3. Matt Kenseth (-2)

13th at Phoenix isn't too much of a let down after the Daytona win, especially at a track Matt usually doesn't fair the best at. Random thought: why doesn't the Daytona 500 champ and former Cup champ have sponsorship for 15 races this year?

4. Kevin Harvick (No Change)

So dang close! He was the only one who could challenge Hamlin at the end, but the fuel tank ran dry. Pretty impressive that he ran out with a lap left and still managed to hang on to 2nd. 

5. Kyle Busch (+2)

A pretty quiet 6th place finish from Kyle, normally he can make some noise during a race with a ride like that. No matter, he'll head back to his home town this weekend, where maybe some of his favorite In-and-Out burgers can give him the magic to win in Vegas for the 2nd time.

6. Jimmie Johnson (+4)

It looked like he had the car to beat early in the day before the loose wheel became an issue. Still, this team showed how well it can perform when it's under the gun of the NASCAR government. He always runs well at Vegas too, so Jimmie is probably licking his chops for this weekend.

7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-5)

A less than stellar showing from the #88 crew, but a 14th place finish keeps them in the top 5 in points. Crew chief Steve Letarte is going to have to get Junior to perform on tracks he hasn't typically been good at if they're going to be a threat this year. Better start that trend this weekend in Vegas.

8. Jeff Gordon (+1)

Like Kyle, Gordon had a pretty quiet 8th place finish at Phoenix. It was a good bounce back for the #24 team though after the mystery engine issue at Daytona. Vegas has been a pretty strong track for this team in recent years, though Gordon only has one career win there.

9. Carl Edwards (-6)

Running out of fuel never helps, but a 17th place finish is still disappointing. Edwards had a great car at Phoenix in both races last season, and he never really challenged all day. He has a chance to get on the map though at Vegas where he won one year ago.

10. Joey Logano (+1, was unranked)

Two races in 2012, two top 10's and an 8th place points ranking. Not a bad start to a contract season for Logano, if he keeps running strong like this all year then he'll have no worries about a new contract. Sponsor shoutout: this weekend will be Dollar General's first race on Logano's car.

Tune in at 3pm/Eastern to catch this weekend's race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway! Can't wait until Sunday!