NASCAR Power Rankings: 2014 Preseason

Welcome to the first edition of the 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.

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

Jimmie Johnson

Six-time has won championships under every version of the Chase for the Sprint Cup that's been trotted out. He's on top until someone knocks him off.

2

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Yeah, he's losing his crew chief at the end of 2014. But he was running the best he ever has at the end of 2013, and there's no reason it won't carry over.

3

 0

Matt Kenseth

Had a career-high seven wins in 2013 – in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. Expect some drop-off, but not much. Has to be one of the favorites for the Daytona 500.

4

 0

Kyle Busch

I don't believe it's a coincidence that he had his best points result in 2013 after having his quietest year yet off the track. Add maturity to his talent, and he's a title contender.

5

Kasey Kahne

Bad luck plagued the beginning and end of 2013 for Kahne. His cars are fast every week, and his second year at Hendrick Motorsports should mean even bigger things.

6

Brad Keselowski

Can you say ‘Man on a mission'? The 2012 champ suffered through a dismal 2013 campaign, but the new win-or-else points system will suit him pretty darn well.

7

Denny Hamlin

Speaking of dismal 2013s. Hamlin had his worst year by far, suffering a back injury and nearly going winless. Motivation could mean bad things for his competitors.

8

Kevin Harvick

Only this far down because he switched teams, moving from Richard Childress Racing to Stewart-Haas. Kenseth's first-year Gibbs success is still the exception, not the rule.

9

Clint Bowyer

Had a pedestrian Chase after Spin-gate, but with a fresh year and hitting the reset button will help him refocus and contend for wins again.

10

Tony Stewart

Remember this guy? He may not be at 100 percent by the Daytona 500, but you're kidding yourself if you think he won't be a factor immediately.