ONMC POWER 10 RANKINGS: New Guy On Top

By Ron Lemasters Jr.

Well, after the first week of the ONMC Power 10, we're ready to get started on the second...and count coup on successess and ignore the ones we sort of...well...missed.

As we did last week, in the inaugural edition of the ONMC Power 10, we 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?

Great. Here we go.

1. Brad Keselowski: OK, he finished 10 spots better than the inaugural No. 1 and assumed the point lead. He was wicked quick at Bristol until he got a nose full of another car and retreated. Still, he's about as good as it gets right now. Last week: 2

2. Carl Edwards: The somewhat surprise winner at Bristol, Cuz was on top of the competition and didn't need the phantom caution at the end of the race. He was smart and fast, and that's hard to beat. Plus, he stuck the landing on the backflip on a wet surface and did not bust his Aflac. Last week: 9

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: OK, so he didn't match Richard Petty for the best start to a season in NASCAR history. He still ran pretty well until he developed a vibration that wasn't good and shook himself back to 24th. His average finish after four races is still 7.25. Last week: 1

4. Kevin Harvick: Another Bristol casualty, Harv was one of the strongest cars on the track until he hit the wall and faded. You could make the case that he might have three wins now instead of one. Last week: 3

5. Jimmie Johnson: His winless streak is now at four this year, and he never recovered from an unwinding right front tire, but he's still a six-time champion. He stays in the top five on history alone. LAst week: 4

6. Matt Kenseth: He was in the catbird seat at BMS until he got hit by Timmy Hill and then again by Keselowski. Somebody has to be the pinata at Bristol. It was his turn. Last week: 7

7. Joey Logano: Like his teammate, he's been fast all year. He was fast at Bristol, but lost the power steering midway through and faded. It's a tough row to hoe at BMS with no power steering, but he has really huge biceps this week. Last week: 5

8. Jeff Gordon: Not bad for SuperG last week, and he drops simply because others moved up. Always a threat at California. Last week: 6

7. Tony Stewart: An emotional pick, to be sure. Fourth place was like first to Smoke, who had been doing a pretty good job of keeping a stiff upper lip the first three races. We'll see if if stays that way. Last week: Not ranked

8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: OK, he ran second at Bristol. That's enough to make him one of the Power 10. He had sights set on his teammate, but wasn't going to catch him. Last week: Not ranked

9. Denny Hamlin: Good at Bristol, usually, but wasn't good enough. He's taking Kyle Busch's place this week, simply because he runs well at California and has a bone to pick with the place. Last week: 10

10. Aric Almirola: The way the 43 was rolling on Sunday night brought to mind that King Richard used to drive that car. Almirola has been solid and fast so far, and he's headed to a fast place this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Last week: Not ranked.

Close, but no cigar:

Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Kyle Larson. Are you sensing a theme here?