NASCAR Power Rankings: 2014 Week 10

Welcome to the Inside Track's NASCAR Power Rankings. Each week of the Sprint Cup season, the Gazette's Jeremiah Davis will rank the series' top 10 drivers.

Think the list should be different? Tweet him at @jeremiahdavis10, or comment in the comments section.

New this week: Denny Hamlin, Landon Cassill

Dropped out: Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

--

Kevin Harvick

2

The only time this year where Harvick and his new  team have looked mortal is at the restrictor plate races, where he's been a contender but never dominant. Still, he had a chance to win - lost when Landon Cassill made his move.

2

+1

Joey Logano

2

I know, he wrecked out and finished 32nd. But before that, he was having a strong day and led a lot of laps, looking as strong at a plate race as he ever has. That seems to be a theme this season - looking as strong as he ever has.

3

+1

Jeff Gordon

Add this guy to the list of strong cars caught up in a(nother) former champion's mess. At some point, the close-but-no-cigar results will either push he and his team to the point of reeling off several wins, or they will get deflated.

4

+1

Kyle Busch

1

Had a big run going on the green-white-checker run to the finish, but lost his momentum when Cassill was held up by Harvick, a victim of the chain reaction. This has still been one if his most consistent seasons ever, a great sign.

5

-3

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1

He and his team's strategy seemed perplexing at best at the end of Sunday's race, from when they gave up the lead to pit, all the way to his moves in the draft at the end. He admitted he screwed up, but that doesn't really make it clearer.

6

--

Matt Kenseth

His "mind-boggling" line was the most exciting thing about his season so far. The No. 20 team just hasn't looked the same this season. Won't be long before he starts getting asked about the "second place jinx" that's plagued so many.

7

N/R

Denny Hamlin

1

May seem like a big jump from unranked to seventh - even with the win - after such mundane results this season, but the win does so much for him. His last year or so has been really rocky, and a win like that can do a guy wonders.

8

--

Jimmie Johnson

This is reaching a bizarre level. No, he's not in danger of missing the Chase, and I still believe they'll turn it around, but something is definitely off. Seems all that luck he's had over the course of eight years is starting to slowly fade away.

9

-2

Brad Keselowski

1

I get not giving up. I get wanting to put yourself in the best position possible. But if things were turned around and an also-ran, seven laps down, wadded up that many cars, he'd be the first on the soapbox out of the care center whining.

10

N/R

Landon Cassill

You betcha he's 10th this week. Why? Because it's my list, that's why. The Cedar Rapids native had the best weekend of his career, and had a legitimate shot to win with two to go. Not to mention he's helped turn around two underfunded teams.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@sourcemedia.net