ONMC POWER 10: Rainbow Warrior Rises

Apr 30 2014 - 10:37am

He hasn't won yet this year, but it isn't like he hasn't had a good run or six.

Jeff Gordon rises to the top of the ONMC Power 10 rankings this week after another strong performance at Richmond. The rest of the top 10 had some reshuffling too.

After a week off from the rankings for Easter, we'll return to rank the top 10 drivers in NASCAR according to how they’re running right now.

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?

Here we go.

1. Jeff Gordon: True, he hasn't notched a victory, but he's done everything but with four top-five and seven top-10 finishes in nine races. That will put on top, for sure. Last week: 3

2. Joey Logano: Sliced Bread won at Richmond, locking him into the Chase. He's been stupid fast everywhere and shows no sign of slowing down. But age and experience tend to top youth and enthusiasm, so he's second this week. Last week: Close but No Cigar

3. Matt Kenseth: Age and experience again, and like Gordon, he's done everything but win so far. Three top-fives and seven top-10s prove it. Last week: 4

4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: A victory, five top-fives and six top-10s are plenty good enough. Had a great car and battled for the victory at Richmond. Last week: 2

5. Brad Keselowski: He has a victory and was second at Richmond, but gets points off for the cool-down temper tantrum. Sure, he was ticked, but come on...like he's never made his Ford wider at the end of a race. Last week: 8

6. Kyle Busch: He's won this year, and seems to be in the mix at every track, but hasn't been able to seal the deal a second time. That will change. Last week: 6

7. Carl Edwards: Winner as well, but hasn't been consistently fast. Had a decent car on Saturday, but fought handling and tires (like everyond else). Last week: 5

8. Ryan Newman: Consistency wins championships, and he's put together a solid string of finishes to put him in the top 10 in points. Needs to win, though. Last week: Close but No Cigar

9. Jimmie Johnson: Jimmie Nation is about a race away from full-blown panic, and he wasn't that great at Richmond, but still...six titles will get you a mulligan every now and again. Last week: 7

10. Kevin Harvick: Continuing the roller-coaster ride, Harvick was fast early and not so fast late at RIR. He's either lights out or out to lunch. Up to 20th in the points with two victories. Last week: 1

Dropped out: Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson

Close but no cigar: 

Larson won the pole at Richmond, but didn't make it out of Turn 2 thanks to the right front of Clint Bowyer's Toyota. Brian Vickers was wicked fast at times at RIR, and ran well. Martin Truex Jr. came up with a top-10 finish, and that's a good thing for him and his team.