Chevy Driver Weekly Power Rankings-NASCAR Edition 8/2

Our initial Chevy Driver weekly power rankings may have been a bit too ambitious by trying to combine IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-AM drivers together in one ranking. The problem we were left with was measuring how well we had done with our predictions. The solution seemed simple: isolate the drivers into their specific series, starting with the most popular series. Without further ado or explanation, here is the Weekly Chevy Driver Power Rankings for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.

Heading into Pocono, the experienced drivers are starting to amp up their game in hopes of peaking at the right time. With 6-races left before the “Chase for the Cup,” the veteran drivers know that wins and putting yourself in the top ten are critical. For Chevy Drivers, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon are making those moves now. Both moved up two places after last week’s race at Indy. On the other end of the scale, veteran Jeff Burton was the biggest loser this week by dropping 3-places in the points standings.

For Chevy drivers the numbers look like this at Pocono:

• Chevrolet drivers have won 27 of 71 races at Pocono Raceway.
• A Chevrolet driver has won 3 of the last 5 races at Pocono Raceway.
• A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Pocono Raceway 29 times.
• Team Chevy drivers have scored 141 top-five and 299 top-10 finishes at Pocono Raceway.
• A Chevrolet has led 42.6% of the Sprint Cup race laps at Pocono Raceway.

 Current Chevy drivers with Sprint Cup wins at Pocono:

• Jeff Gordon has 6-wins at Pocono Raceway (1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2011 & 2012)
• Jimmie Johnson has 3-wins at Pocono Raceway (twice in 2004 & 2013)
• Kurt Busch has 2-wins at Pocono Raceway (2005 & 2007)
• Tony Stewart has 2-wins at Pocono Raceway (2003 & 2009)
• Kasey Kahne has 1-win at Pocono Raceway (2008)
• Ryan Newman has 1-win at Pocono Raceway (2003)

 Power Rankings:

1. #48 Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson and crew are currently leading the series in season points and have collected 4-wins. In the 20-starts this season, the Lowe’s car has finished in the top 5 an amazing 9-times. The last time NASCAR visited the Pocono Raceway was just over a month ago in June. Johnson was the fastest in qualifying, the first practice session and won the race on Sunday. It’s very tough to go against him with the year he’s been having and his team’s past successes at Long Pond.

2. #29 Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress Racing. Happy finished with a solid top ten (9th) after starting in 5th-place during the early Pocono race this year. Having never led a lap during the race, Harvick didn’t do anything spectacular and that what we can expect again. While he didn’t stand out last race, he didn’t give away too much so he shouldn’t lose any ground either. Don’t look for him to make up much ground on top three in the season point standings. 

3. #5 Kasey Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports. 2013 has seen Kahne in the exact perfect position to get collected up in another driver’s wreck consistently. When Kahne doesn’t get tangled up with another car, he runs very well and could have been in victory lane several times this season. Kahne’s Chevrolet SS finished in a very respectable 3rd place last week at Indy and should have another top five again this week.

4. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr, Hendrick Motorsports. Last week he held his own, even with some challenges. His Uncle passed away earlier in the week which put the driver back on his heels for the race start. From there things got tougher when a loose lugnut caused a vibration in the car. Earnhardt had to pit under green and lost a lap early in the race. Catching a break after being off-cycle on pit stops, Earnhardt found himself in 14th place and on the lead lap. Driving from 14th to 6th place, Earnhardt earned his stripes in this race. 

5. #14 Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing. It’s widely accepted that Stewart seems to come to life late in the season. This year would appear to be more of the same. Finishing in 4th place at Indy, Stewart also has a decent record at Pocono. The #14 finished in 4th place in June when the series last visited Long Pond. Smoke is worried about his position in “The Chase,” so we can expect him to be aggressive and looking for another win and those bonus points. We predict a top three or finish in the pits for Stewart (checkers or wreckers). 

6. #24 Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon is concerned about making “The Chase,” which means that he’ll be less giving than normal. We’ve seen this in the past when Gordon talks a little taller and beefier than his slight frame should allow. Past year’s have given us “Three-Time” as a nick-name for Jimmie Johnson after Gordon commented on the radio about getting his patience tested by “Three-Time.” The aging driver is not likely to go quietly into the night so expect the front bumper of the #24 to have a few nicks on Sunday.

7. #78 Kurt Busch, Furniture Row Racing. Busch has done an amazing job this year given that his entry is a very underfunded team that exists outside the deep south. Charlotte is headquarters for most teams and rarely will you see anyone try to establish a NASCAR Sprint Cup race team west of the Mississippi river. Right now Busch is working his way into “The Chase,” which is no small feat for this tiny team.  

8. #39 Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing. Last week’s winner has been steadily gaining momentum after a rocky start to the season. Look for Newman to put on a show these last 16-races. He’s auditioning for a job after all. This is his final year with Stewart-Haas Racing and he’s looking for another ride. 

9. #1 Jamie McMurray, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. McMurray is in 15th-place in the season’s point standings and the stats don’t lie. In the last 20-races, McMurray has only had one top-five finish. Let us go on record as saying the #1 car of Jamie McMurray will not make the chase (Remember you heard it here first).

10. #42 Juan Pablo Montoya, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. McMurry’s teammate currently in 23rd place won’t see “The Chase” either. There’s just not enough road course races in the schedule. There, we said it.

Also Rans:

Paul Menard, Jeff Burton, Danica Patrick, Dave Blaney, A.J. Allmendinger, J.J. Yeley, Landon Cassill, Tony Raines.