ONMC'S POWER 10: Junior Back On Top

What a week it's been! A great race at Martinsville, a surprise winner (meaning anyone not currently driving for Rick Hendrick) and a mushroom-cloud-sized piddling match between said winner and an equally exuberant young lad about covers it.

Meanwhile, this week's leader is a guy who didn't make a lot of news last week...but took the point lead back.

As usual, 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Didn’t win at Martinsville, but he was in the neighborhood. Had he had any tires left, it might have been different. Point leader, too. Last week: 2

2. Jimmie Johnson: When you lead 296 laps last week and lead the league in laps led, you are doing something right. Except, of course, winning races. Still winless, but on the move. Last week: 6

3. Carl Edwards: Cuz is likely in the Chase, and he was stout for a bit at Martinsville. Missed all the hoopla, but fell in the points. Last week: 1

4. Matt Kenseth: Was strong at times—wasn’t everyone?—at Martinsville, but disappeared when it came to go-time. Texas is a place he can stretch it, and he’s due. Last week: 3

5. Jeff Gordon: Had a car that was fast, but wasn’t in the same league as the 41 or 48. He’s been that way a lot this year. Texas looms, and he could win this weekend. Last week: 7 

6. Kyle Busch: Cali winner sat on the pole at Martinsville. Led early, faded, led, faded. As the tires went, so did he. Time to get his Kurt on! Last week: 4

7. Brad Keselowski: Meltdown after pit-road deal with the 41 cost him points. It might cost him a few race cars before it’s done too. Don’t tug on the Outlaw’s cape. Last week: 5

8. Kurt Busch: Maintains he did nothing wrong on pit road. Vowed revenge on the 2 car. Does anyone do revenge better than Kurt Busch? Last week: not ranked

9. Joey Logano: Probably should be higher, because he’s been stupid fast everywhere we’ve gone. He has not yet closed the deal, so ninth it is. Last week: Not ranked.

10. Ryan Newman: Has not been flashy (he’s never been flashy). Has not won (he doesn’t, much). He’s 10th in points. Last week: not ranked.

Close, but no cigar:

Paul Menard, Austin Dillon (9th in points), Brian Vickers, Kevin Harvick. Will the second 1.5-mile race be a step forward or a step sideways?