NASCAR Power Rankings: 2014 Week 5

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: None

Dropped out: None

RANK

+/-

NAME

WINS

THOUGHTS

1

 0

Brad Keselowski

1

I could start nearly every entry in this week's rankings with "He had a tire problem." Brad was just one of dozens, and had a good car before the issues surfaced. He stays atop the heap for now.

2

 0

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

1

Dale Jr. looked like he had a better car AFTER he lost a right front and hit the wall, driving up into the top five before having another tire problem. He's been solid at Martinsville the last few years.

3

 0

Jeff Gordon

Briefly looked like he was on his way to a win after Jimmie  Johnson lost a left front before the final caution killed his chances. He's inching closer still to a win, and is great at Martinsville.

4

 6

Kyle Busch

1

He gets a big jump for winning Sunday, sure, but also for that break-neck race for the Nationwide win on Saturday. He might be the most gifted driver in the garage, and this weekend it showed.

5

 3

Carl Edwards

1

Assumed the points lead despite not really being a big factor Sunday. Biggest reason for the jump? They've succeeded despite not loving their cars every week. When they get "it," watch out.

6

 1

Jimmie Johnson

Speaking of finding "it," he sure looked like he had on Sunday. Auto Club Speedway is his playground, and losing a tire that late has to be infuriating. Lucky for him, his other playground is up next.

7

1

Matt Kenseth

Started on the pole, finished fourth and it still felt forgettable somehow. The mile-and-a-half tracks are his bread and butter, and that portion of the schedule is coming up very quickly.

8

 4

Kevin Harvick

1

For the fourth straight week, he looked like he had a car to win. For the third of those four weeks, problems not of his doing cost him a shot at it. A former Martinsville winner, he'll be fast again.

9

 2

Joey Logano

A broken drive train ruined his day, relegating him to 39th. Still, a great start to the season for Logano. The test now will be to see if he can sustain it and maybe get himself a win sometime soon.

10

 N/R

Kyle Larson

Still wonder if this kid belongs? His display Saturday was as good as I've ever seen on a race track, and almost repeated it Sunday. He's one of several coming up who are the future of NASCAR.

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