Power Rankings: Sonoma

Power

Rankings

Sonoma:

There's a new leader this week people, just some guy named Dale Earnhardt Jr. Who is he? I swear I've never heard of him. Anyway, not a huge shakeup this week, but I predict chaos in the rankings after this upcoming weekend at the road course in Sonoma.

New This Week: Not a Soul

Dropped Out: Also, Not a Soul

Close, But No Cigar: Marcos Ambrose, Juan Pablo Montoya

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (+1 spot)

Hallelujah! It finally happened! Junior won! Now lets come back down to earth. Junior is far from great at Sonoma and I don't see back-to-back wins by any stretch of the imagination. Fortunately for Junior, the next three or so guys behind him stink at Sonoma too, so he could very well keep the #1 spot regardless. 

2. Matt Kenseth (-1)

It's hard to drop him to #2 after finishing 3rd at Michigan and still being the points leader by 4 points over Junior. But Junior's win is massive for the sport, so he gets the nod. As for predictions at Sonoma, see Junior above.

3. Jimmie Johnson (No Change)

A fifth place run at Michigan. Ho-hum. But being serious, this guy is on fire right now. Unfortunately, his teammate's win will overshadow any win Johnson gets this year, but no surprise there. He has won at Sonoma, but I still don't trust his road racing for crap.

4. Greg Biffle (No Change)

The Biff claimed he had the fastest car at Michigan, but kept blistering his tires. Yeah Greg, try telling that to Junior Nation. Again, for Sonoma prediction see Junior, Kenseth above.

5. Clint Bowyer (+1)

Clint quietly finished in the top-10 yet again this year? That's a shocker....NOT! As for Sonoma, Bowyer is a very, very underrated road course racer and he could very well quietly score a top-10 there just as he's been doing everywhere this season.

6. Tony Stewart (+3)

With a runner-up finish at Michigan, looks like Smoke is getting his mojo back and is poised for that signature summer hot streak he always employs to make him a major factor. This guy only ranks behind Jeff Gordon in terms of road course wins, so yeah, he'll be a factor this weekend.

7. Kevin Harvick (+1)

He's quietly finishing top-10 every week, slowly climbing up the standings, and consistently performing better each week. Sounds like Harvick is pulling, well, a Harvick. He's a decent road racer and should keep his summer momentum chugging along.

8. Denny Hamlin (-3)

Denny's chances for a Father's Day three-peat at Michigan went up in smoke....in the literal sense. A crash caused his car to ignite and marred his day. Hamlin can be on and off at road courses, it just depends on the day it seems.

9. Kasey Kahne (-2)

Kahne's hot streak ended at the hands of another guy on a hot streak, Joey Logano. The two were both involved in the same wreck and exited the race early. Though not recognized as a great road racer, Kahne conquered Sonoma back in 2009.

10. Martin Truex Jr. (No Change)

A 12th at Michigan seemed pretty bland for Truex compared to the rest of his season so far, but he stays a solid 7th in the points, so I can't punish him. He's never been known as a good road racer, but Martin did say another Jr. would end up in victory lane this week. And no, he didn't mean Dale.