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The 12: NASCAR Power Rankings Consumers Energy 400 Edition

Zach Gillispie

Kevin Harvick outlasted the competition on fuel mileage to claim the victory in the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Is Harvick all of a sudden heating up charged for another championship run?

On paper, Brad Keselowski may have had the best car at Michigan to grab a much-needed victory. Since Keselowski has not claimed a win in the last several outings, does the driver of the No. 2 have any playoff momentum?

Meanwhile, fellow Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney was dealt a bad hand on fuel mileage after having a phenomenal race in the shadows of Detroit. Without a win since the Charlotte ROVAL last fall and quite a bit of bad luck since, does Blaney have any hope going into the playoffs?

The common question surrounding Sunday’s third-place finisher was “where did he come from?” While Kyle Larson‘s performance on the race track this summer has been sub-par, but can he continue to find luck and be a playoff dark horse?

Numerous questions await as NASCAR moves closer to the impending playoffs. There’s been a multitude of headlines circulating through the NASCAR community over the last several weeks, including the regular season points championship battle, the playoff bubble, and a potential seven-time champion on the outside looking in. With all of this jockeying for position, our Frontstretch experts were put to the ultimate test to pinpoint the 12 best competitors as the playoffs loom.

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: Consumers Energy 400 Edition

1. Kyle Busch – 123 Points

First place votes: 9

Last week’s ranking: 1st (No Change)

Guess what? Unlike Watkins Glen, Kyle Busch did not get mad at anyone. Wait, well he might have been mad at his Gander Outdoors Truck Series drivers on Saturday, though. With all the tempers behind him for the time being, Busch is locked in a tight battle with Joey Logano for the regular-season championship as NASCAR heads to one of Busch’s best and most successful tracks: Bristol Motor Speedway. Can he win this duel?

2. Kevin Harvick – 108 Points

First place votes: 1

Last week’s ranking: 5th (+3)

While Harvick might be the second driver on our rankings this week, Keelan Harvick might as just be number one in our hearts. Harvick may have won Michigan for the second consecutive year but Keelan stole the show for the second straight year. What a childhood Keelan must have: He does burnouts, he grabs checkered flags and he has a super cool father. Every seven-year-old in America must be jealous.

3. Martin Truex Jr – 102 Points

Last week’s ranking: 2nd (-1)

The best-dressed award at Michigan certainly went to Truex, who clearly didn’t realize it was a much more casual affair. Even though questionable fashion choices might be a circulating headline, Truex’s 500th career start wasn’t filled with fireworks on track, but instead had a gritty back to front charge to a respectable fourth-place result. Not bad.

Also, backward baseball caps and tuxedos just don’t go together.

4. Denny Hamlin – 101 Points

First place votes: 2

Last week’s ranking: 3rd (-1)

Although he couldn’t maintain an impressive streak of top fives at Michigan, Hamlin has become one of the stoutest drivers over the last month. Watch out, he might be lurking in the weeds as an unexpected championship favorite.

Also, how can you not be in the company of his apparel sponsor, golf buddy and friend Michael Jordan and call himself a champion of a major sport?

5. Joey Logano – 100 Points

Last week’s ranking: 4th (-1)

Logano wished he had another gallon of gas at Michigan, but after learning he drove a 550-horsepower Ford Mustang with a whopping four miles per gallon, the gas must be extremely expensive. Also, on the heels of the MMA match at Watkins Glen between about 400 different competitors, conflict now surrounds Logano’s sponsor as Harvick took shots at Shell from victory lane. But wait, Logano shouldn’t worry. Harvick is only a foot-tall spokesman sitting on a shelf.

6. Brad Keselowski – 78 Points

Last week’s ranking: Tied 6th (No Change)

If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down!

What is the least spoken language in the world? Sign language.

Justice is a dish best served cold, if it were served warm it would be just water.

We all love dad jokes unless you’re Brad Keselowski’s family.

7. Chase Elliott – 66 Points

Last week’s ranking: Tied 6th (-1)

Let’s play everybody’s favorite game show: Jeopardy.

“Libraries, sleeping babies, Darrell Waltrip with laryngitis, a Toyota Prius, a tree falling in the woods when no one is around and Paul Menard‘s ‘vivacious’ demeanor are all louder than this competitor at Michigan.”

Correct Answer: “Who is Chase Elliott?”

While he may have been quiet, he snuck in a top 10 in at Michigan after a dominating race at the Glen.

8. Kurt Busch – 43 Points

Last week’s ranking: 10th (+2)

Kurt Busch may have left Michigan frustrated after running out of Sunoco race fuel on the final lap, but the 41-year-old heads to the Bristol Night Race as the defending winner of the race and the defending loser of the best hair contest.

9. Ryan Blaney – 27 Points

Last week’s ranking: 9th (No Change)

A little bit of alcohol will make everything better, at least if you are Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Blaney.

10. Alex Bowman – 26 Points

Last week’s ranking: N0t Ranked

Heck, Jeff Gordon cried in victory lane. Go ahead Alex, let it go. Don’t be ashamed.

11. Kyle Larson – 24 Points

Last week’s ranking: 12th (+1)

Kyle Larson may have had a spark of momentum, but with the impending playoffs approaching, he might just need all the golden horseshoes, rabbit’s feet, leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, wishbones and another trip with Jeff Gordon to the spiritual healing shop to become a champion this year. But hey, his last trip with Gordon worked out OK.

12. Erik Jones – 21 Points

Last week’s ranking: 8th (-4)

The Byron Bandit did not leave Michigan very optimistic, but the Last Great Colosseum awaits. Anything can happen.

OTHER DRIVERS WHO RECEIVED VOTES

THIS WEEK’S VOTING PANEL

Name Twitter Organization
Adam Cheek @adamncheek Frontstretch
Rob Dutzar Jr @rob_dutzar Rob’s NASCAR Blog
Darian Gilliam @blackflagmatter Black Flags Matter
Zach Gillispie @gillispie_zach Frontstretch
Dan Greene @librarymonk Frontstretch
Godwin Kelly @godwinkelly The Daytona Beach News Journal
Mark Kristl @markkristl Frontstretch
Kobe Lambeth @kobelambeth Kobelambeth.com
Trey Normile @rawgatoryt RawGator
Rob Tiongson @robtiongson The Podium Finish
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. 

About the author

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He may be a full-time college student and only a part-time journalist, but Zach Gillispie’s passion for fast cars is undeniable. Since joining Frontstretch in 2018, the 21-year-old has served in a variety of roles. Currently, he pens the weekly NASCAR 101 column, which can be seen every Friday. Additionally, Zach is one of the site's news writers and helps with Fronstretch's social media pages on race day. In the rare moments when he is not studying or writing, you can find him traveling, making double bogeys on the golf course, or cheering on his beloved Atlanta Braves.

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Terry

Umm, where did Denny finsih at Michigan Sunday?? Might want to check that.

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