The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series made the annual trek to Napa Valley this weekend. The Sonoma Raceway has enough twists and turns to make one feel like they’ve just downed an entire bottle of vintage wine. From the carousel to the hairpin, it’s all about lefts and rights, up and downs. Plus, let’s be honest, only road courses are awesome enough to have named corners.
California native Kevin Harvick showed the field that he hasn’t forgotten how to wheel it around a road course. 11 years after his first win on such a circuit, Harvick vindicated himself for several near misses at Sonoma. Harvick’s first win of 2017 also put Stewart-Haas Racing back into Victory Lane for the first time since the season-opener at Daytona.
Now, about these Power Rankings: Like a fine Merlot, our contributors get better with age. Well, at least we think so. The track may weave left and right but neither the turns nor the spirits went to our heads. But now that the list is complete, were we able to keep our focus on the pavement? Or did we bury it up to the axles in a gravel trap? You decide.
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 10 on a 10-9-8-7… 3-2-1 basis, giving 10 points to their first-place driver, 9 for second, and so on. In the end, Frank Velat calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and… here you go!
Rank |
Change |
Name |
Total Votes |
1 |
 +1 |
![]() Kyle LarsonVery fast on a single-lap, but could not hold up the pace over a run. Not shocking. Not the first driver to be in that boat at Sonoma Raceway. – Phil Allaway, Frontstretch First Place Votes: 5 |
50 |
2 |
 -1 |
![]() Martin Truex Jr.Only the second DNF of the season for Truex, but you have to wonder if he would have been the car to beat had his engine not expired. – Pete McCole, Auto Racing 1 |
45 |
3(Tie)
|
![]() Kyle BuschTop fives are not a problem for the No. 18 team. Busch got his sixth of the year in a torn up car. Winning, however…. – Bryan Gable, Frontstretch |
38 |
|
3(Tie) |
![]() Jimmie Johnson
|
38 |
|
5 |
 +1 |
![]() Brad Keselowski
|
30 |
6 |
 +3 |
![]() It was only a matter of time before the Bakersfield, CA native returned to Victory Lane. Hope those Bloomin’ Onions tasted like a NASCAR victory on Monday! – Rob Tiongson, The Podium Finish |
29 |
7 |
 –2 |
![]() Chase Elliott
|
22 |
8 |
 -1 |
![]() Jamie McMurrayLet’s give some props to Jamie Mac who might be coming back (to Victory Lane) pretty quickly with these great July races at Daytona, Kentucky, Loudon, and Indianapolis. – Rob Tiongson |
21 |
9 |
 -1 |
![]() Denny Hamlin
|
19 |
10 |
 |
![]() Joey LoganoLooks like he had a top five car until a late-race speeding penalty did him in. – Pete McCole
|
11
|
Others Receiving Votes: Ryan Blaney (10); Clint Bowyer (1)
Who Voted: Bryan Gable, Frontstretch; Pete McCole, Auto Racing 1; Phil Allaway, Frontstretch; Frank Velat, Frontstretch; Rob Tiongson, The Podium Finish.
Frank Velat has been an avid follower of NASCAR and other motorsports for over 20 years. He brings a blend of passionate fan and objective author to his work. Frank offers unique perspectives that everyone can relate to, remembering the sport's past all the while embracing its future. Follow along with @FrankVelat on Twitter.
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