Frontstretch NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 15 after the 2015 Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville

1

Kyle Busch

Somehow, Kyle Busch is coming out of Martinsville as the most normal of Joe Gibbs Racing’s four drivers. Strange, isn’t it? Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

First Place Votes: 1

56

2

Jeff Gordon

One man’s fury is another man’s victory. Kenseth inadvertently gave Gordon a huge gift when he wrecked Logano. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

First Place Votes: 1

55

3

+2

Kevin Harvick

Kept himself out of trouble and even-keeled when others around him went nuts. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

50

4

-3

Joey Logano

Just like a root canal appointment, Logano knew there is something horrible looming and there was nothing he could do about it. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch

First Place Votes: 1

48

5

+3

Martin Truex Jr.

Remember that at least one driver is going to make it into Homestead on points. Not that Truex isn’t capable of winning but he is still maintaining a solid “sleeper” status. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

48

6

+9

Denny Hamlin

Referred to the Chase scenarios as the “Wild, Wild West” and then created a #FreeMatt hashtag on Twitter to defend his teammate. Sheesh, I’m starting to think Hamlin likes being involved in controversy. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

43

7

+2

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In the latter years of his career, Earnhardt Jr. has turned into quite the racer at Martinsville after he was about as good as David Ragan was his first time there. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

42

8

-5

Carl Edwards

Edwards’s years of experience helped him make lemonade out of lemons on Sunday. He kept his nose to the grindstone, let others destroy themselves and salvaged a half-decent day from what was almost a disaster. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch

38

9

-7

Brad Keselowski

Remember, it was contact from Keselowski that sent Kenseth into a flying rampage in the first place. Keselowski picked the wrong day to be a Team Penske driver. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

36

10

N/A

Jamie McMurray

McMurray’s showing excellent form here at the end of the season. Sad thing is that he’s not getting his due. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

36

11

+2

Ryan Newman

Newman went from quietly being in contention to silently making laps. But, hey, at least he came out of Martinsville virtually unscathed. There are plenty of other drivers who can’t say that. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

34

12

-5

Kurt Busch

Much like Talladega, it doesn’t always matter if you are in the front or the back at Martinsville. Trouble can still find you as Busch learned on Sunday. Tony Lumbis, Frontstretch

30

13

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson was strong early, then uncharacteristically fell back at Martinsville. Story of his season? Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

30

14

N/A

Kasey Kahne

He finished ninth at Martinsville but it may as well have been last. At this point, he’s just trying to finish out the rest of the season better than it started. That shouldn’t be too hard, right? Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

16

15

-4

Paul Menard

A top 15 at Martinsville was a decent day for Menard but he has sunken into oblivion since he was eliminated from Chase contention. Summer Bedgood, Frontstretch

13