NASCAR Power Rankings: 2014 Week 9

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: Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards

Dropped out: Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

--

Kevin Harvick

2

Led some laps and was a factor for most of the night at Richmond, but faded on the final restart to 11th. Still, he's one of a handful of guys to beat every week. Just because Matt Kenseth did this last year, doesn't means it's less of a feat.

2

--

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1

Being on the outside for the final restart, plus having a car that was better on long runs killed Dale Jr. at the end on Saturday. But next up is Talladega, and if he's not your favorite to win after Daytona, maybe get yourself checked.

3

+4

Joey Logano

2

Raise your hand if you saw THAT coming. This is easily the best he's looked in his young career, and it just goes to show how much confidence means in the Sprint Cup garage. He's definitely a title contender, and will win more this year.

4

--

Jeff Gordon

Looked like it was a matter of time before Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth's bumping and rubbing would cede the lead to Gordon, but Logano pounced before he had a chance. Still feel like a win is right around the corner for him.

5

-2

Kyle Busch

1

Only falls in these rankings because Logano gets a deserved bump up, and Gordon has been so consistent. He's also never been great at Talladega - made evident by the fact that he isn't even running the Nationwide race this week.

6

--

Matt Kenseth

His tweet giveaway for "the 120th person to RT this that's NOT named Brad" was equal parts creative, snarky and funny. Richmond is the example for why there should be more short tracks (coughIowaSpeedwaycough) on the schedule.

7

+1

Brad Keselowski

1

Not really sure why he thought he deserved more room from Kenseth at the end. Last time I checked, Kenseth gets to hold his ground...especially for the win. LOVE this guy's passion, though, and willingness to consistently speak his mind.

8

-3

Jimmie Johnson

I know I've been on the "He's not in trouble" bandwagon this whole season, but Saturday was worrisome - even though he's admittedly average at Richmond. Six-time has never gone more than 11 races to open a season without a win.

9

N/R

Ryan Newman

Riding back-to-back top 10s and has himself currently Chase qualified at ninth in points. No, he hasn't blown anyone away this year, but he's been consistent and been better than Jeff Burton was in the same equipment last year. 

10

N/R

Carl Edwards

1

Broke a string of three straight finishes outside the top 10 with a ninth place finish at Richmond. He's always been a good plate racer, and just about had a win at Talladega in 2009 before his car took flight into the grandstands.

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