ONMC POWER 10: Can’t Stop Ol’ Six-Time

As the clock turns swiftly toward the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, it’s about time to start getting down to the nitty-gritty of power rankings. To that end, we succumb to the inevitable and crown six-time champion Jimmie Johnson King of the Hill this week.

No, he’s not the point leader, but he has three victories. Did he win Sonoma? No, but he was in the neighborhood. Could someone else have been elected? Yes, but he has a better case and it’s time to give the champ his due.

How it works is simple: we tell you who the 10 best drivers are after each race this season, and you can agree, disagree or improve on them by commenting on the article itself. Sound good?

Let's go to the rankings, shall we?

1. Jimmie Johnson: Three victories. Six titles. That adds up to the top spot this week. He's never won at Kentucky, but that will change, maybe as soon as Saturday. Last week: 3

2. Jeff Gordon: One victory. Four titles. Point leader. That adds up to second, but he's been running like JAck the Bear lately. Last week: 2

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: No titles. Two victories. More fans than WalMart. Muscled up at Sonoma and brought back some memories of a certain fallen patriarch. Last week: 1

4. Carl Edwards: Two victories. Road-course winner. Lame duck for all intents and purposes. Still, Cuz gave it a ride, Jimmy Fennig pulled another rabbit out of his helmet and he's No. 4 this week. Last week: 7

5. Kyle Larson: No titles, no wins, in the top 10 in points. Kid's a racer. That means top-five around here. Last week: 6

6. Joey Logano: Two wins. No titles, but a wicked fast Pennzoil Ford all season. He could make noise later. Last week: 8

7. Matt Kenseth: No victories (yet). One title (2003). Down one sponsor for 2015 (Home Depot). Not worried. Last week: 4

8. Brad Keselowski: One title. One victory. Lots of Twitter followers. Fast but not able to get it done lately. He'll be better. Last week: 5

9. Kevin Harvick: No titles. Two victories. More missed chances that that guy from Uruguay who bit the guy from Italy the other day. He's not Happy these days. Last week: 9

10. Paul Menard: No titles. One victory (at Indy). Nine top-10s this year and 10th in points. Has been a rocketship much of the season. His time to shine. Last week: not ranked.

Dropped out: Denny Hamlin: Captain Comeback is on the roller coaster these days.

Close But No Cigar

Hamlin; Kyle Busch, who has M&M on the mind lately; Clint Bowyer, who was coming like a freight train until he got punked in Turn 11; AJ Allmendinger, who led the first half of the race Sunday until he got Juniored off Turn 7; and Ryan Newman, who is solid rather than spectacular, always.