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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings FireKeepers Casino 400 Edition

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In a race delayed by rain, it didn’t matter for Joey Logano as he led over 3/4th of the entire FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan for his second win of the season and the first since Vegas in March. Did the win boost Logano up in the power rankings?

For Kyle Busch, it was an unusual day for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver. He wasn’t up front for most of the race, but ultimately was able to finish in the top five. Busch received all 14 first place votes last week. Will that continue this week?

All of this and more, below!

How the power rankings are calculated: Following the conclusion of each Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, members of a voting panel, including Frontstretch writers and members of accredited media outlets as well as writers from other sites and social media personalities, submit their top 12 drivers for the Power Rankings.

The drivers are then given points based on their ranking by our panelists, with first place getting 12 points, and each subsequent driver getting one fewer point until the 12th-place driver, who gets a single point. Points are then added together, and the rankings are subsequently produced.

Power Rankings: FireKeepers Casino 400 Edition

1. Kyle Busch – 143 Points

First place votes: 13

Last week’s ranking: 1st (-)

It was a relatively quiet day for Kyle Busch as he was in the top 15 for most of the day until the final stage in which he climbed into the top 10 and eventually the top five.

On a brighter note, he chose a driver that hasn’t run in the Truck Series in more than 10 years to compete for Kyle Busch Motorsports and what did he do? He won!

Kyle Busch the owner was more than a little pleased with his decision.

“No laps lead this week? Glad he’s letting the other kids have a turn.” Dan Greene, FrontStretch

2. Joey Logano 128 Points

First place votes: 1

Last week’s ranking: 3rd (+1)

If there was one word to describe Joey Logano’s day on Monday at Michigan, that word would be “domination”. Logano led 161 of 200 laps and seemingly was toying with everybody for most of the race. This comes at a crucial time for him as he had an 11-race winless streak with his last win coming all the way back in March.

Can the streak continue? Stay tuned to find out…

Tie for 3rd: Brad Keselowski 114 Points

First place votes: 0

Last week’s ranking: 2nd (-1)

While his teammate won the race and earned five playoff points, it was a semi-quiet day for the blue deuce. Bad Brad led 10 laps during green flag pit stops and salvaged a top 10 after the last late restart. Solid day for the No. 2 team.

He even got to have a special tour from Ford this past weekend!

Tie for 3rd. Martin Truex Jr.– 114 Points

First place votes: 0

Last week’s ranking: 4th (+1)

Michigan served as a solid rebound for Martin Truex Jr. and his entire crew after a blown engine took him out the week prior in Pocono.

We all have to wonder, though, what the end result would have been if the caution didn’t come out for Erik Jones‘ spin?

“The every-other-race-he-wins trend has ended, but Truex nearly kept it going at Michigan.” –Adam Cheek, Frontstretch

5. Kevin Harvick– 88 Points

First place votes: 0

Last week’s ranking: 7th (+2)

For Harvick, ONCE AGAIN, it was same story, different weekend. Harvick’s pit crew elected to take four tires instead of two like the rest of the leaders did and he paid the price for it.

Also, once again, he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

” Wouldn’t be surprised if Harvick’s entire pit crew mysteriously goes missing over the two-week break.” -Cheek

6. Kurt Busch– 69 Points

Last week’s ranking: 11th (+5)

It was a fantastic day for Busch as he was in contention all race long. Even though he finished runner-up, he was more than pleased.

That win for the No. 1 team is coming, people.

Next for Kurt Busch? He is going to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France with team owner Chip Ganassi!

“Hamlin wins for quote of the week. “It’s wasn’t that passing was hard. It was impossible.” – Michael Massie, Frontstretch.com

7. Denny Hamlin– 67 Points

First place votes: 0

Last week’s ranking: 6th (-1)

Early on in the race, it seemed as though Hamlin’s car was one that would contend, overtaking the leader and spending some time up front. The fun stopped there, though, as he had to settle for a 11th-place finish.

 

8. Chase Elliott– 65 Points

Last week’s ranking: 5th (-3)

It looked like Elliott’s streak of good, solid runs was going to continue … until he hit the wall coming off of fourth and had to settle for 20th.

For their sake, here is hoping Elliott and the entire Hendrick Motorsports team regroups during the off week.

“Contact with the wall ruined a good day” Kobe Lambeth, KobeLambeth.com

9. Alex Bowman– 45 Points

Last week’s ranking: 10th (+1)

For Bowman, it was a disappointing day as he only got 10 stage points and had to settle for a 10th-place finish.

Sadly, that was the best of all four Hendrick Motorsports cars.

10. Ryan Blaney – 26 Points

Last week’s ranking: UR

Blaney had a much-needed good run in Michigan, earning his first top 10 since Bristol back in April.

Here is hoping the good runs continue for Blaney.

“Consistently in the top 10, and for what it’s worth, he is looking like Chase did before he got the win at Watkins Glen.” -Dutzar Jr

11. Kyle Larson– 25 Points

Last week’s ranking: 8th (UR)

It was a solid day for the Chip Ganassi racer as he had to climb his way up through the field on an extremely tough day to pass, ultimately finishing 14th.

“(Larson) Is going to invite Harvick to his bad luck support group..” – Greene

12. Daniel Suarez– 34  Points

Last week’s ranking: UR

It was a fantastic day for Suarez as he scored a career best fourth-place finish.

Will he be the first SHR car to get to victory lane? Find out in Sonoma…

“ It hurts for me to say it, but Daniel Suarez is about to pass Clint Bowyer in points.” –Trey Norville

OTHER DRIVERS WHO RECEIVED VOTES

THIS WEEK’S VOTING PANEL

 

Name Twitter Organization
Adam Cheek @adamncheek Frontstretch
Ed Coombs @combsed Speedway Media
Matt Courson @m_courson Kick In The Tires
Matt Courson @m_courson Kick In The Tires
Darian Gilliam @blackflagmatter Black Flags Matter
Dan Greene @librarymonk Frontstretch
Godwin Kelly @godwinkelly The Daytona Beach News Journal
Mark Kristl @markkristl Frontstretch
Kobe Lambeth @kobelambeth Kobelambeth.com
Michael Massie @m_massie22 Frontstretch
Trey Normile
Joy Tomlinson @jt_giantsfan Frontstretch

Do you agree with our rankings? Think someone was left out, or that one of the top drivers is overrated? Let us know in the comments, and tell others what your top 12 would be. 

Operations Manager and Multimedia Director at Frontstretch

Bryan Nolen is the Operations Manager and Multimedia Director for Frontstretch.com. He also hosts the Bringing the Heat with Bryan Nolen Podcast and occasionally makes appearances on The Happy Hour Podcast. He has a Sportscasting degree from the Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting. He resides in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, his French Bulldog Archer and two rabbits.

Follow him on Twitter @TheBryanNolen

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