And then there were two… races that is. Despite the fact that there are three races in the Eliminator Round, by virtue of non-Chaser Jimmie Johnson‘s win last weekend, two drivers at most will make it to the championship race based on wins. It’s possible that three drivers could make it in on points if another non-Chaser wins again this Sunday.
If the two previous races had a large impact on points, then Texas very well might have been the final nail in the coffin for others. Drivers like Joey Logano and Kurt Busch find themselves in must-win situations while others like Brad Keselowski need some luck on their side in order to make it.
With only two races remaining this season, the championship is still up the air. Take a look at where our staff ranks the main players and your favorite drivers in this weeks rankings.
How The Rankings Are Calculated: Frontstretch does our power rankings similar to how the Associated Press does them for basketball or football. Our expert stable of NASCAR writers, both on staff and from other major publications will vote for the top 20 on a 20-19-18-17… 3-2-1 basis, giving 20 points to their first-place driver, 19 for second, and so on. In the end, Summer Bedgood calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and… here you go!
| Rank | Change | Name | Total Votes |
| 1 | +2 | Kevin HarvickConsidering his recent track record in Arizona, PIR would be better off naming the track Kevin Harvick Raceway. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch First Place Votes: 2 | 58 |
| 2 | -1 | Kyle BuschThree top-five finishes in the last four races. Who would have thought that, of all the top drivers, Busch would be the quiet one? Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 56 |
| 3 | +6 | Brad KeselowskiNone of the drama of 2014, but the same result. So close to a Chase-advancing win, yet so far away. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 51 |
| T-4 | -2 | Jeff GordonTruly the only driver who has nothing to lose in Phoenix. All eyes are already on Homestead for the No. 24 team. First Place Votes: 1 | 48 |
| T-4 | Martin Truex Jr.None of the drama of 2014, but the same result. So close to a Chase-advancing win, yet so far away. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 48 | |
| 6 | +7 | Jimmie JohnsonSpoiler alert… Johnson still can’t win the championship. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 44 |
| 7 | +1 | Carl EdwardsNo backflips thus far in the Chase, but Edwards’s consistency has him ready to strike should his competitors have issues. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 42 |
| 8 | +4 | Kurt BuschNeeds a win to advance in the same way that Logano does but hasn’t shown the same amount of speed. Harvick is once again Stewart-Haas Racing’s best chance at winning the championship. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 39 |
| 9 | -2 | Dale Earnhardt Jr.Would be in position to advance to the final round of the Chase if the Talladega caution had come 100 feet later. C’est la vie, JR Nation. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 36 |
| 10 | Jamie McMurrayQuietly, McMurray continues to be one of the best of the drivers eliminated earlier in the Chase. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch | 31 | |
| 11 | N/A | Matt KensethKenseth was in the race last week but wasn’t ranked. This week, while serving his suspension, Kenseth was absent from the race but still made the rankings. Logano, who finished 40th, fell out. If you don’t think this Kenseth/Logano story is having an impact… think again. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 23 |
| 12 | +3 | Paul Menard13th-place finish. Meh. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 23 |
| 13 | -2 | Ryan NewmanNewman’s 22nd-place finish would have been a reminder of why he’s no longer in the Chase… if anyone had even noticed. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 23 |
| 14 | N/A | Austin DillonJudging by his recent results, Dillon could play the role of a sleeper to make the Chase in 2016. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch | 20 |
| 15 | -9 | Denny HamlinWound up in the garage area with Logano, which really doesn’t reflect his season… or Logano’s for that matter. One has to wonder where the season for the No. 11 team went so wrong. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch | 18 |
Others Receiving Votes: Joey Logano (17), Aric Almirola (12), Clint Bowyer (12), Kasey Kahne (9), Erik Jones (5), Danica Patrick (4), Kyle Larson (3), Greg Biffle (2), Casey Mears (2), Brian Scott (2), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2)
Participants: Phil Allaway, Frontstretch; Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch; Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch