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NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Michigan-2

Frontstretch Power Rankings
Heartbreak may not even begin to describe what Jimmie Johnson felt after losing just one lap to go thanks to a blown engine. One man's loss was another man's gain, however, and Greg Biffle returned to Victory Lane for the second time this year. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski's strong run also brought him to the forefront of everyone's minds as we head to the Chase for the Sprint Cup. 
 
How did these three fair in our rankings? Did Biffle's win vault him to the top? Keep reading to find out:  

How The Rankings Are Calculated: Frontstretch does our power rankings somewhat 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 20-19-18-17-16-15… 3-2-1 basis, giving 20 points to their first place driver, 19 for their second, and so on. In the end, Summer Bedgood calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and … here you go!

FRONTSTRETCH TOP 15 POWER RANKINGS: AUGUST 21ST
Rank Driver (First Place Votes) Votes Last Week
1 Greg Biffle (4)  115 3
Just won, is the point leader, and will probably still be flying under everyone's radar. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
2 Brad Keselowski (2) 109 2
This dude just seems to want the title (and to win in general) much more than anyone else right now. Simple as that. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch.com
3 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 104 5
Not to upset Jr. Nation, but it still shocks me to type his name in the top 10. Is this really August 2012?? Amanda Ebersole, SkirtsandScuffs.com
4 Matt Kenseth 100 4
 If Kenseth wasn't leaving at the end of the season, I would almost expect Kenseth and teammate Biffle to be each other's biggest challenges. Too bad, because that would be fun to watch. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch.com
5 Jimmie Johnson 85 1
Welcome Jimmie, to the life of most of your 42 competitors have been used at one time or another. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
T-6 Martin Truex, Jr. 83 8
We all know that NAPA knows how, they just need to know how to drive to Victory Lane. Amanda Ebersole, SkirtsandScuffs.com
T-6 Kasey Kahne 83 11
 "Wild card" isn't a name you typically expect to be associated with an HMS driver, but considering how the beginning of Kahne's season went, it's almost a miracle. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch.com
8 Clint Bowyer 81 7
I am sure Clint is so glad he left RCR, because he is outrunning the RCR teams in the points and usually on track. Amanda Ebersole, SkirtsandScuffs.com
9 Denny Hamlin 62 15
 Hamlin is pretty much a lock for the Chase, but otherwise he might just be taking up space. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch.com
10 Ryan Newman 59 14
The "Greg Biffle equivalent" of the Wild Card race, flying under the radar in the second wild card spot. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
T-11 Marcos Ambrose 57 12
The team is starting to get on a roll,  but is it too little, too late? Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
T-11 Carl Edwards 57 13
The Chase looms like a black cloud above Eeyore's head, it is make or break time, do or die – is that enough cliches to say, "Move it Edwards!"? Amanda Ebersole, SkirtsandScuffs.com 
13 Tony Stewart 46 6
Tough to tell if this team would be a Chase contender or a simply a "waste of a Chase spot." Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
14 Paul Menard 43 NR
 Menard can at least be applauded for being consistent, but it's not exactly the type of consistency Mr. Childress is hoping for. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch.com
15 Jeff Gordon 42 9
Picked an interesting career considering aggressive driving appears to irk him. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com
Dropped Out: Kyle Busch (10). 
Others Receiving Votes:  Kyle Busch (40), Kevin Harvick (34), Sam Hornish Jr. (22), Jamie McMurray (17), Jeff Burton (8), Joey Logano (4), Regan Smith (4), Aric Almirola (2), Mark Martin (2), Travis Kvapil (1). 
Who Voted: Phil Allaway, Frontstretch.comSummer Bedgood, Frontstretch.com; Carolyn Brewster, NASCAR Illustrated; Amanda Ebersole, SkirtsandScuffs.com; Dustin Long, Athlon Sports; Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch.com.

Contact Summer Bedgood

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