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Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 After the 2015 Axalta We Paint Winners 400 at Pocono

After leading so many laps in the past three races, Martin Truex Jr. finally led the one that mattered most, breaking a winless streak dating back to 2013. This win is his first with Furniture Row Racing since replacing Kurt Busch behind the wheel. Most importantly, it puts Truex and team 78 back in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Listening to the reactions of the fans and drivers, this win is certainly the most popular one of the season so far.

The top four in Power Rankings continue their stranglehold on the field as they finished in the top four Sunday at Pocono. In addition, six of the top 10 in Power Rankings after Dover finished in the top 10 at Pocono. Kevin Harvick nabbed another top-two finish while Truex Jr. added to his top-10 tally. He’s most certainly the class of the field when it comes to consistency.

Next up are the rolling hills of Michigan. A wide, high-speed track that will favor those with a knack for fuel-mileage. But first, see if your favorite drive made the top 15.

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, Mike Mehedin calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and… here you go!

 
Rank
Change
Name
Total Votes

1

Kevin Ha2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Kevin Harvick Jimmy Johns credit NASCARrvick

After finishing in the top two in 10 of the first 14 races, Harvick has shown unequivocally who wears the firesuit in his family. Dennis Michelsen, RaceTalkRadio.com

First Place Votes: 7

177

2

Jimmie Johnson2014 NASCAR Media Day - Portraits

Blew a tire and finished third. Surprise of the week with the overturned penalty. Yeah, just try to take that horseshoe, suckers. Amy Henderson, Frontstretch

First Place Votes: 1

163

3

Martin Truex Jr.2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Martin Truex Jr credit NASCAR

Truex’s win was the most popular in the garage area since – dare I say it – Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Pepsi 400 win in 2001. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch

First Place Votes: 1

161

4

Joey Logano2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Joey Logano credit NASCAR

Did his best Johnson impression, coming back from a pit-road penalty to being in contention to win. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch

155

5

Dale Earnhardt Jr.2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Dale Earnhardt Jr credit NASCAR

Outside of Daytona and Talladega, Earnhardt has led only eight laps on the season. It was fun to see him congratulate Truex Jr., but that 11th-place finish of his own is a serious reminder NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, paired with new crew chief Greg Ives remains one step behind the level he needs to be champion. Steve Letarte is still missed. Tom Bowles, Frontstretch

140

6

  +6

Kurt Busch2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Kurt Busch credit NASCAR

Busch outruns the boss but lags behind teammate Harvick. However, he sometimes finishes not far behind Harvick. That’s key. Dwight Drum, RaceTake.com 

127

7

 +3

Matt Kenseth2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Matt Kenseth credit NASCAR

As long as nothing breaks, Mr. Consistency has lived up to the nickname, making him dangerous in any type of postseason format. Kenseth is just killing time at this point until September. Tom Bowles, Frontstretch

120

8

 -2

Brad Keselowski2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Brad Keselowski credit NASCAR

What happened to Keselowski? I have not heard his name mentioned for a few weeks. His teammate is doing a little better, but something has most certainly been lost at Team Penske. Michael Mehedin, Frontstretch

102

9

 -2

Kasey Kahne2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Kasey Kahne credit NASCAR

It was a close call for Kahne until Earnhardt Jr. tweeted that Kahne wasn’t at fault for the contact between the two. I feared that JR Nation may subject him to their wrath. Aaron Bearden, Frontstretch

101

10

 -1

Jamie McMurray2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Jamie McMurray credit NASCAR

McMurray continues to quietly put up great results while usurping his much more regarded teammate on a weekly basis. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

99

11

 -3

Jeff Gordon2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Jeff Gordon credit NASCAR

Gordon has a lofty position in points but remains winless. A win may be soon or not ever again. Win or not, Gordon will survive in the FOX TV booth. Dwight Drum, RaceTake.com

92

12

  +1

Denny Hamlin2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Denny Hamlin credit NASCAR

His early years of dominance at the Tricky Triangle must seem like decades ago. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch

90

13

 N/A

Kyle Larson2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Kyle Larson credit NASCAR

Last year’s Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year is showing signs that he could be ready to make a surge this season. He followed up his season-best third-place finish at Dover with a seventh at Pocono on Sunday. It marks just the second time this season he has recorded consecutive top-10 finishes. Mike Zizzo, Texas Motor Speedway

61

14

 N/A

Carl Edwards2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Carl Edwards credit NASCAR

Edwards is still four out of four on the Joe Gibbs Racing food chain. But that Charlotte win, and the momentum from it, still lingers as the No. 19 team keeps working to close the gap. Tom Bowles, Frontstretch

48

15

 N/A

Kyle Busch2015 NASCAR headshots CUP Kyle Busch credit NASCAR

Up to 38th in points and has five guys averaging 26th or worse that he is chasing for the top 30. Dennis Michelsen, RaceTalkRadio.com

45

Others Receiving Votes: Paul Menard (44), Ryan Newman (41), Aric Almirola (37), Greg Biffle (33), Clint Bowyer (19), Danica Patrick (12), Austin Dillon (6), Casey Mears (6), Tony Stewart (3), Justin Allgaier (1), Ty Dillon (1)

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2 Comments
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Od Farmer

Junior is ahead of Kurt Busch? Scratching my head over that one.

J. Smith

Championship points were the Power Rankings in the old days. Now days I don’t see championship points during the broadcast. Maybe they are there and I just don’t see them because I fast forward and don’t pay much attention. It prompted me to look for the standings on this website and I couldn’t find them. Maybe you could add them to your Power Rankings for comparison.