Now, Where Were We?

Where Were We?

NASCAR 2015 is coming off of its first off weekend, its traditional Easter break. Six races in at a variety of different tracks has made a few things clear, although, it is still very early. There are still 20 races until the Chase and 30 races left overall. But with that being said, let's take a look at where things stand:

Kevin Harvick

Last season's champion hasn't endure any sort of slump to start 2015. In fact, he looks even better despite the rule changes to the car this year. Harvick finished either 1st or 2nd in the first five races of the season, winning two at Vegas and Phoenix, and finished a mortal 8th at Martinsville after leading the most laps. It doesn't matter what type of track he's racing on. He and his team have consistently hit the track every weekend with a kick-ass mentality. Your move, everyone else.

The Rest of SHR:

Harvick's teammates haven't had nearly the type of luck he's become accustomed to, to say the least. Kurt Busch missed the first three races of the year due to suspension, but has come back with a vengeance and looks like he'll find victory lane soon. Team owner Tony Stewart has flat out sucked, there's no other way to put it. There was a glimmer of a good run at Martinsville two weeks ago, but that failed at the end. It's hard to imagine a three-time champ struggling for long, a turn around has to be close. And as for Danica, she's done ok. She's posting her best career average finish and average start and just finished 7th at Martinsville.

Team Penske:

The Ford team is already locked into the Chase with Joey Logano's Daytona 500 win and Brad Keselowski's surprise Fontana win. Keselowski isn't showing quite the dominance he had at points last season, but he's not far off by any means. Logano has shown great speed at the beginning of races, but tapers off a bit at the end. If his team can correct that trend, he'll be a force as the season progresses. All in all, they're in great shape after six races.

Martin Truex Jr.:

After moving to Furniture Row Racing last season, Truex had an awful season, indescribably horrid. I don't believe anyone predicted the success he's had so far this year. He's finished in the top-10 in every single race and knocked on the door of a win at Vegas. It may take a smidge of luck, but don't be surprised to see Truex score his third career victory for this single car team.

Hendrick Motorsports:

Yeah, Jimmie Johnson has the Atlanta win, so he's in the Chase, but other than that he's been pretty average, including a terrible race at one of his best tracks a couple weeks ago at Martinsville. Jeff Gordon's final season started off terrible, three crashes in three weeks. He's managed top-10s in the last three races, but hasn't truly contended for a win yet. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been consistent but nothing special and the same goes for Kasey Kahne. This team always finds a way to succeed though, just give it some time.

Joe Gibbs Racing:

They have Denny Hamlin in the Chase now after his Martinsville win, but don't have much else to lean on. Matt Kenseth lost his chance at a Fontana win after breaking his rear axel on the final pit stop. Carl Edwards has yet to score a top-10 with his new team. And David Ragan is doing a pretty decent job filling in for the injured Kyle Busch. There is still much to be desired from this team, however.

Other Nuggets:

Ryan Newman is still consistent as hell, despite the penalty for his team tampering with tires at Fontana, he'll still make the Chase. Brett Moffitt and Chris Buescher have been surprising in substitute roles, especially considering they're both in their early twenties. Keep an eye on them in the next few years. Roush Fenway Racing is still way, way behind the 8-ball, and are far from the team they used to be. It's sad, really. 

Just be glad that NASCAR is back this weekend and will be running its first night race at Texas on Saturday night!