It's a new season, and that means a new year of Power Rankings. Each week throughout the season, we'll size up who's rising and who's falling, based on current standings, behind-the-scenes changes, expected staying power, recent history and general gut feelings. It is not scientific, nor is it meant to be. And remember, whoever your favorite driver is, we're biased against him and like someone else better. We continue with a guy who's sticking around the top, like it or not...
1. Greg Biffle: Well, look at that. We drop Biffle to 8th in the Power Rankings, make fun of his name, and he comes back and wins the damn race the next week. I do believe we have the power to dictate races now; drivers, email me if you want me to mock you for a week. It'll pay off. Last week: 8.
2. Jimmie Johnson: Hearing Jimmie Johnson get mad on the radio, as he did on Saturday night, is like hearing your parents cuss. You know they do it, but it still sounds weird and wrong. And the fact that Johnson is that ticked over a second-place finish (and that he's finishing second now) should have everybody else very concerned. Last week: 3.
3. Matt Kenseth. So apparently one of the Best Buys that is shutting down is right next to Kansas next weekend. That's a wee bit awkward. I'm thinking Kenseth won't be doing an appearance at that one. There could be some very unhappy employees there to greet him. Last week: 4.
4. To
ny Stewart: I honestly believe that there are two Tony Stewarts: one who's a champion driver and one who just comes and ticks off laps in a competent but not championship fashion. What I want to know is, what's the champion driver doing when the lap-ticker is on the track? I bet that's a lot better story than the other way around. Last week: 1.
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: If Junior is disappointed with a top-10 finish, that's a step forward. Credit to the 88 team for trying experiments with their setups at Texas, though I think we can safely say that this particular experiment didn't exactly work out for the best. Last week: 2.
6. Martin Truex Jr.: Won the pole and led quite a few laps, but couldn't quite hold it together against the Roush-Fenway horde this weekend. Still, as with Junior, the fact that you've got multiple MWR cars ranked high in the standings is a very positive sign that the organization is taking steps forward. Dance steps, probably, but still. Last week: 5.
7. Kevin Harvick: So apparently a tire changer dropped a lug nut and then tripped while coming around the back of Harvick's car during one of the early pit stops at Texas. In unrelated news, the No. 29 hauler was spotted making an unscheduled trip back in from the Texas countryside. Last week: 6.
8. Denny Hamlin: Unremarkable week for Hamlin, quite the contrast from last week. There, he caddied for Bubba Watson at Augusta in a little par-3 contest, and then Watson went on to win The Masters. Hey, Hamlin! Get over here and carry my bags, pronto!� Last week: 9.
9. Jeff Gordon: Amazing that we're barely into mid-April and Gordon and teammate Kasey Kahne are already almost in must-win situations in order to get into the Chase. You can't afford to start slow, friends. Last week: 12.
10. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer was the lowest-finishing Michael Waltrip Racing car, and he finished 17th. There was a time, like last year, that 17th would have been the top-finishing MWR car. Oh sweet heaven, that means we have to hear more of Mikey gloating. And nobody needs that. Last week: 11.
11. Ryan Newman: Jimmie Johnson was roundly ticked at Newman for blocking while being a lap down. But then, everybody says that about Newman. I'll bet he's one of those guys who never lets you cut ahead of him on a crowded street. I'd pay money to walk right behind him in downtown Manhattan and watch him wreak havoc. Last week: 7.
12. Carl Edwards. Hey, welcome back, Carl! Another good-if-not-great week for Edwards, who finished 8th and held up his end of the deal for the Roush-Fenway Texas dynasty. Somewhere, Amanda Beard punched out a waiter in frustration. Last week: NR.
Dropping out: Brad Keselowski. #blownengine #sorrybro
Lucky Dog: Mark Martin. Can't somebody convince this ol' feller to run a full season? Gucci Mane, get on the phone, dawg!
The Kasey Kahne DNF: The guy who throws the yellow flag. He basically got a week off with pay this week. Don't spend it all in one place, fella.
Next up: Kansas! Come up with your best lame Dorothy/Toto jokes, and send your comments to us via Twitter at @jaybusbee, via email by clicking here, and via Facebook. Go!
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/power-rankings-biffle-triumphant-172534247.html
Henry Banks Fabrizio Barbazza John Barber Skip Barber
