Preseason NASCAR Power Rankings
The mission for NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers in 2011 will be the same as it’s been since the conclusion of 2006: Knock Jimmie Johnson off the top of the hill.
Of course, that’s much easier said than done.
Here’s the preseason edition of the FOXsports.com Power Rankings, Powered by SPEED.com. And, no, Dale Earnhardt Jr., with 21st- and 25th-place finishes the past two seasons, didn’t make our top 20. But a strong Daytona Speedweeks and not only is he back in, but perhaps making his way to the top 10.
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FOX SPORTS NASCAR POWER RANKINGS
| RK | DRIVER | WINS | CHANGE | HIGH/LOW | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Jimmie Johnson |
0 | - | 1/15 |
To be the man, you have to beat the man, and no driver has done that since Johnson claimed his first Sprint Cup championship in 2006. In a league of his own.
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| 2 |
Kevin Harvick |
0 | - | 1/20 |
Nobody improved more than “Happy” in 2010, who demonstrated that he was the clear-cut leader at Richard Childress Racing, as well as a threat at most every track.
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| 3 |
Carl Edwards |
0 | - | 1/11 |
“Cousin Carl” suddenly awoke from a two-year competition coma in time to take the final two races of 2010. Will it carry over to 2011?
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| 4 |
Clint Bowyer |
0 | - | 4/25 |
You’ve got to watch the quiet ones. The laconic Kansas native doesn’t say much, but is a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel of his RCR Chevy.
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| 5 |
Jamie McMurray |
0 | - | 4/30 |
He’s already proven he can win the big races. Now McMurray needs to show he can run up front wherever he goes. Look for 2011 to be his breakout season.
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| 6 |
Jeff Gordon |
0 | - | 1/17 |
Is the soon-to-turn-40 four-time champion too old to rock and roll, or will new crew chief Alan Gustafson supercharge Original Four-Time’s Drive For Five?
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| 7 |
Denny Hamlin |
0 | - | 7/20 |
With a championship within their grasp, Hamlin and crew chief Mike Ford saw it all slip away in the last two races of the season. Usually such setbacks carry over.
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| 8 |
Kyle Busch |
0 | - | 1/20 |
An amazing talent, Busch so far has been unable to translate those skills into a serious championship run. There’s no reason to expect that to change this year.
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| 9 |
Brian Vickers |
0 | - | 9/27 |
Last year’s battle with blood clots left Vickers supremely motivated to stage a strong comeback as he gets back behind the wheel of his No. 83 Red Bull Toyota.
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| 10 |
Mark Martin |
0 | - | 8/22 |
Speaking of motivated, the 52-year-old Batesville, Ark., racer desperately wants to make his last season at Hendrick Motorsports a great one.
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| 11 |
Tony Stewart |
0 | - | 1/13 |
Like Gordon, “Smoke” will hit the big 4-0 this year. Still a great racer, he has a lot on his plate in his roles as driver, team owner, track owner and promoter.
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| 12 |
Greg Biffle |
0 | - | 7/26 |
In recent years, Roush Fenway Racing has been hit or miss. If they hit on the setups in 2011, Biffle’s stock could rise very quickly. If not, look for him to remain back here.
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| 13 |
Matt Kenseth |
0 | - | 2/26 |
See Roush teammate Biffle. If his car is right, the 2003 Cup champion can still bring it.
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| 14 |
Kurt Busch |
0 | - | 2/14 |
After finishing fourth two years ago, Penske Racing took a significant step back last year. Busch is another of many talented drivers who can move up quickly.
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| 15 |
Kasey Kahne |
0 | - | 3/24 |
In his first full season with Red Bull, Kahne will be eager to show that last season’s nightmare was just that — a bad dream brought on by George Gillett.
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| 16 |
Juan Pablo Montoya |
0 | - | 5/25 |
We know Montoya is fast when the car is to his liking. But is he a champion waiting to happen or the next Robby Gordon? This year will tell a lot.
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| 17 |
Ryan Newman |
0 | - | 3/18 |
One of several new daddies in the garage, Newman is also one of the sharpest minds in there, too. He needs to score a few more victories in 2011.
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| 18 |
Joey Logano |
0 | - | 17/30 |
He should continue to improve and it would be no surprise if he ultimately makes the Chase. But he starts back here until he proves himself.
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| 19 |
Jeff Burton |
0 | - | 8/29 |
At the end of 2010, Burton’s team appeared really without a firm direction. He should do better than this, but time will tell whether he can step it up.
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| 20 |
Brad Keselowski |
0 | - | 1/26 |
The reigning NASCAR Nationwide Series champion should benefit tremendously from crew chief Paul Wolfe’s move up to lead his Sprint Cup team.
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NASCAR Standings
| RK | Driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greg Biffle |
| 2 | Matt Kenseth |
| 3 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin |
| 5 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 6 | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 7 | Tony Stewart |
| 8 | Kevin Harvick |
| 9 | Kyle Busch |
| 10 | Carl Edwards |
| 11 | Clint Bowyer |
| 12 | Brad Keselowski |
| 13 | Paul Menard |
| 14 | Ryan Newman |
| 15 | Joey Logano |
| 16 | Kasey Kahne |
| 17 | Jeff Burton |
| 18 | Marcos Ambrose |
| 19 | Juan Pablo Montoya |
| 20 | Jamie McMurray |