Power Rankings: Homestead

Power

Rankings

Homestead:

1. Brad Keselowski (+1, from last week)

Boom. Just like that, Keselowski is in amazing position to capture his first Sprint Cup title despite getting into a little bit of the last lap wreck. He managed to finish 6th and now has 20 point lead on Johnson going into the finale. He needs to only finish around 15th to capture the title and send Dodge out of the sport on a super high note.

2. Jimmie Johnson (-1)

Boom. Just like that, Johnson no longer controls his own destiny in his quest to score his 6th championship. This team always seemed bulletproof in the Chase until last season, but it looked like another flawless Chase was in the works for Johnson. Until the unthinkable. When is the last time Johnson has faltered in a big situation? How about never. It's mind boggling. 

3. Kasey Kahne (+3)

After a dismal start to the 2012 season, Kahne has been extremely steady and consistent, which once again showed with a 4th place finish at Phoenix. Kahne is now in position to score his best ever points finish in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports. Without any major bad luck next year, it might be this guy who wins it all.

4. Denny Hamlin (+3)

Hamlin backed up his win at Phoenix in February with a runner-up in the November edition. Hamlin finally put together a solid race from start to finish in the Chase since his good performance at Charlotte. Consistency is needed for this team to truly be a title contender next season.

5. Clint Bowyer (-2)

I know the melee with Gordon technically eliminated Bowyer from championship contention, but did anyone really think he was going to leap frog both Johnson and Keselowski in the final race to take the championship? Truthfully for that to happen, Bowyer would've had to do what Gordon did to him at Phoenix to make that happen. If this team throws away this incident, what an amazing season this new team has had! They'll be back strong in 2013 for sure.

6. Matt Kenseth (+2)

Kenseth stayed invisible in the mayhem that was Phoenix, but that's nothing new. 14th isn't the greatest finish either, but Kenseth will head to Homestead looking to give Roush one final good run before he departs for Joe Gibbs Racing.

7. Kevin Harvick (+3)

Finally! Harvick actually does something noteworthy this year! I swear I'm not trying to make fun of him, but until his Phoenix win, did anyone honestly have any lasting Harvick memories from this season that stuck out? Neither did I. 

8. Greg Biffle (+1)

Oh Greg, I wish I had more to say about you other than you are invisible for the majority of a race and then wind up in the top-10 by the end. I guess that is a good thing though. Biffle has had great success at Homestead in his career.

9. Tony Stewart (-4)

This Chase is almost completely opposite from last year's for Tony. Last season, he was always a threat. This season it's more like, "Oh hey? Is that you there, Tony? You're actually in the top-5!?" We know Tony can't go too long without putting his name in the title hunt, so onward to 2013!

10. Jeff Gordon (-6)

What more can you say for the veteran? He's had his most difficult season ever in terms of luck and got tired of run-ins (no matter how small or big they be) with Bowyer. Every man reaches his breaking point and this was it for Jeff. No matter what happens in the finale, I think we see Jeff come into 2013 with a fire he's lacked for the last decade or so.

11. Martin Truex Jr. (No Change)

Look on the bright side, at least with Truex's motor letting go only ten laps into the race meant he didn't have to deal with any of the mayhem whatsoever! Homestead has treated Truex well, so he's got one more solid chance this year to score that elusive second win.

12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No Change)

A season for Junior that was so full of promise just fell apart late due to numerous things. It's hard not to root for this guy with all he's been through. Maybe next year will be the time that he finally wins multiple races in a season again.

Follow me on Twitter for more NASCAR news and info: @Adam_Huth