Power Rankings: Richmond

Power

Rankings

Richmond:

Atlanta didn't get too crazy until the end, but it sure did have a great finish! Not too much shakeup in the rankings this week, but it's a sure thing they will be after the Chase is set following this weekend's race at Richmond. Let's see where everyone falls in the final "regular season" rankings of the NASCAR Sprint Cup year.

New This Week: None

Dropped Out: Marcos Ambrose

Close, But No Cigar: Mark Martin, Kyle Busch

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No Change, from last week)

Junior is back into his consistent form no doubt with a solid 7th place finish at Atlanta, a track that he's never been particularly great at. The same can be said for Richmond, but he's already locked into the Chase so he should do whatever it takes to capture that second win of the year.

2. Brad Keselowski (+3)

A couple of up and down weeks for Keselowski, but last week was definitely an up after finishing 3rd. Keselowski will most likely be co-second place starter in the Chase unless he, Tony Stewart, or Jimmie Johnson win to tie up the red-hot Denny Hamlin. Keselowski has never had a great record at Richmond, so yeah, let's stick with co-second place starter.

3. Denny Hamlin (+5) 

He's on a tear and at the perfect time. Hamlin has put himself in perfect position to be the leader of the Chase after Richmond with his back to back wins. Oh yeah, and Richmond is arguably his favorite (and hometown) track. He could go three in a row this weekend.

4. Greg Biffle (No Change) 

Two mediocre runs in a row at Bristol and Atlanta. He's never been very good at Richmond. But he has two wins, so the worst he'll start in the Chase is 5th. That's it.

5. Jeff Gordon (+2)

Gordon nearly killed his Chase chances by not being able to beat Hamlin and settling for second at Atlanta. He's been pretty strong at Richmond as of late and nearly won this Richmond race a year ago. And weird fact time: Gordon finished third at Bristol two weeks ago, he finished second last week, so......

6. Jimmie Johnson (-4)

That second place run at Bristol two weeks ago is now sandwiched in between a late race engine failure at Michigan and a wreck at Atlanta. This is uncharacteristic of this team and they haven't performed well at Richmond in a while. Still, he is Jimmie Johnson though.

7. Kasey Kahne (-4)

Where was Kahne at Atlanta? Typically, it's one of his best tracks and he never cracked the top-10 which is crazy with how well he's been running as of late. But Richmond has been great for him and he's a near lock to make the Chase, so I expect something good.

8. Martin Truex Jr. (+2)

He was in prime position to score that second career win he's been waiting for since 2007 at Dover. At least he can celebrate his second career Chase this year (the other also came in '07) and try to somehow win a championship without having a win (yet). It would be quite the anomaly.

9. Clint Bowyer (-3)

Well that was strange to see Bowyer actually not be consistent with an odd 27th place finish at Atlanta. He's solid at Richmond though, and I would rule out his second Richmond win this weekend.

10. Tony Stewart (-1)

He won the pole and then where'd he go? Much like Kahne, this poor run was weird at Atlanta where he's typically very good. Stewart will start the Chase in second, but he's been so up and down this year, it's hard to imagine repeating as champion this year.





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