NASCAR Power Rankings: 2014 Week 11

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: Carl Edwards, Danica Patrick

Dropped out: Denny Hamlin, Landon Cassill

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

--

Kevin Harvick

2

Did everything but win at Kansas Speedway this weekend - sat on pole, led the most laps and finished second. A mistake on pit road was the only thing standing in his way. His is the best team in the garage at the moment, and the gap is growing.

2

+1

Jeff Gordon

1

Questioned last week if this team would get a boost or become deflated by so many close calls. Asked and answered in Kansas. Gordon said he felt 25 years old again, and looked it. The summer can be long, but he's in prime position to contend.

3

-1

Joey Logano

2

Hate dropping him after such a strong weekend in Kansas, but the two above him are on a roll. Who would have thought before this year he would be in THIS position? Certainly not me. Logano is a legitimate title contender at this point.

4

+1

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1

It's good to be disappointed with a fifth place finish if you're a part of Junior Nation. What was most impressive about Junior's weekend at Kansas was his demeanor - at least to me. He wasn't letting Talladega weigh on him, and it showed on the track.

5

-1

Kyle Busch

1

Overall, a disappointing weekend. He started 24th and finished 15th, and was only ever up front through pit strategy. Still, I'd call that a mirage, and would expect him to be one of the favorites to win both the Sprint All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600.

6

--

Matt Kenseth

Was he even in Kansas? For weeks I've said "wait until we get to 1 1/2-mile tracks, that's where they'll shine." He and his team should thank Jimmie Johnson for not having won yet, because as soon as he does, the hangover talk will start for Kenseth.

7

+1

Jimmie Johnson

No, he still hasn't won a race. Yes, that's very unusual for this team. But doubt them at your own risk. The fact that so many people are concerned about what's wrong even with six top 10s in 11 races says a lot about what we've come to expect.

8

+1

Brad Keselowski

1

Had a quiet weekend, and that's not a bad thing at all. Would have thought he'd been a little better given how strong they were in Las Vegas, but Kansas had lots of variables with night racing and the tire. Still, he has to catch up to his teammate.

9

N/R

Carl Edwards

1

This guy has been in and out of the Inside Track rankings seemingly every other week this season. He's back in because of a solid run that was much-needed, if only for consistency and morale purposes. Even with the win, they still have work to do.

10

N/R

Danica Patrick

Gave her the final spot because, for the first time, she had a start-to-finish solid run on a track not named Daytona or Talladega. One of the biggest knocks was she couldn't race, just qualify and draft. Well, she raced Saturday night, and was impressive.

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