Power Rankings: Bristol

Power

Rankings

Bristol:

There's been a bit of a shakeup at the top and bottom of the standings, but those in the middle are safe for now. Things are heating up with only three races left until the Chase and Bristol is sure to keep things cooking this weekend. Guys will be desperate to score a win with time running out and not to mention the new track surface that was ground down back in March will create the bumping, banging, and wrecking that Bristol used to be known for. Let's see where everyone shakes out this week.

New This Week: None

Dropped Out This Week: None

Close, But No Cigar: Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No Change)

He had a potential top-10 in hand at the Glen before he spun himself out and came back with a strong top-5 at Michigan. He only keeps the top spot because of his year-long consistency, but he's got several guys right on his heels. Bristol, especially the old Bristol, was good to Junior.

2. Brad Keselowski (+2)

Two more weeks and two more near wins. This guy could be well ahead of every other driver in terms of wins this year, but either way he's flexing some strong muscle at the moment. It's probably not bad that we're at Bristol this week because, well, I don't know, he's only won the last two races at the track. However, those were both on the now old surface so it'll be interesting to see if there's any change.

3. Greg Biffle (+2)

Biffle made a strong statement at Michigan in terms of that he will not be silent come Chase time. The Biff has almost won the championship a couple of times and he's really looking to finish that off this year. He'd be the first driver ever to win a championship in all three main series, Truck, Nationwide, and Sprint.

4. Kasey Kahne (+3)

He continues to run extremely well, not even a wreck could prevent him from a 3rd place finish at Michigan. He has a chance to lock up a wild card spot at Bristol this weekend and I expect he and crew chief Kenny Francis will do so.

5. Jimmie Johnson (-3)

The talk of the day at Michigan at first was about how dominant Johnson was looking heading into the Chase. He had the points lead, he was leading the race at the time, he already had three wins.....and then his engine blew up while leading with 6 laps left. Johnson will be pissed this weekend, but not pissed enough to win Bristol.

6. Tony Stewart (-3)

The last two weeks haven't been kind to Stewart. He spun himself out at the Glen and then lost a cylinder at Michigan. No matter, he didn't even have a win at this point last year and he ended up winning the championship. He already has three wins this year which could bode even better.

7. Clint Bowyer (+2)

He just keeps running well, but not great. A fourth at the Glen and a seventh at Michigan are two finishes anyone would enjoy. He just never seems dominant though and he probably needs to get another win on the board to feel like a true title contender.

8. Matt Kenseth (-2)

You wonder if it's him knowing that he's out of his car at the end of the year, but Kenseth has just fallen off in recent weeks. It's hard to think of him as a title contender at the moment, but he runs well at Bristol and that could cure him.

9. Martin Truex Jr. (+1)

He's starting to run well again like he did at the beginning of the year, but he's also one of those guys on a long list that needs a win badly. He's run well in the last few Bristol races and he's sure to be in the Chase, but he needs that win to solidify him as a threat.

10. Jeff Gordon (-2)

Gordon went from being in prime position to having to fight for a wild card spot, but there wasn't much he could do, it was just his bad luck returning. He spun in oil at the Glen and lost a cylinder at Michigan. I still believe he's a genuine threat to win in these last three races, more so than current wild card spot holder Ryan Newman.