NASCAR vegas Power Rankings Week 24: Top 10 Drivers to Win the Sprint Cup Series Championship: With just three races remaining in the 2012 regular season, it is do or die time for the drivers trying to sneak into the Chase. Really, the battle continues to be for the two wild card spots because the top 10 in points have separated themselves from the pack to a degree. While drivers outside the top 10 are just trying to get into the playoffs, the frontrunners are busy positioning themselves for the postseason. Picking up just one more win in the final three races could provide the bonus points a driver needs to win the championship. After all, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards finished in a tie for last year’s title. With the intensity picking up and the pressure building, here is a look at how the top drivers stack up in this installment of Power Rankings.
NASCAR Power Rankings Week 24: Top 10 Drivers to Win the Sprint Cup Series Championship
1. Jimmie Johnson: A blown motor at Michigan with five laps to go is the only reason Johnson doesn’t stand alone with four wins this season, but he does have a series-leading 11 top-five finishes and is tied for the series lead with three wins and 16 top-10s. Johnson has looked every bit the driver that won five straight championships, and although he missed out on a title last year, it is looking more and more like he might start a new streak in 2012.
2. Greg Biffle: After picking up his second win of 2012, it is time to give credit where credit is due. Biffle is again sitting atop the standings thanks to a combination of strong runs and consistency. He is second in the series with 10 top-five finishes, and his 9.0 average finish is the best of any driver. Biffle has yet to finish outside the top 25 all season and has just three finishes outside the top 20. His dominance at the intermediate ovals bodes well for his title chances given the tracks on the Chase schedule.
3. Brad Keselowski: If you believe in momentum, then Keselowski is going to be tough to handle in the Chase. He has reeled off seven straight top-10 finishes, winning once during the stretch and finishing second in each of his last two starts. Keselowski is tied for the series lead with three wins in 2012, and no driver has scored more points over the past six races. He is peaking at the right time.
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior has been smooth and solid since the green flag flew at Daytona to open the season. He is tied for second with 10 top-five finishes and is tied for the series lead with 16 top-10s. Junior’s 9.8 average finish is also second best in the series, and while he has just one victory, he never seems to have a bad day. Aside from an engine issue at Pocono and a spin at Watkins Glen on an oil-soaked track, he has been pretty much flawless. A mistake free performance in the Chase could result in a title.
5. Kasey Kahne: Is this the same driver that was sitting 31st in the standings after six races? Since the slow start, Kahne has tallied 12 top-10s in his last 17 starts, winning twice and climbing to 11th in the standings. He is almost ensured of a wild card spot in the playoffs at this point, and as hot as he has been, no driver will benefit more from the points being reset.
6. Tony Stewart: It has been an up-and-down regular season for the defending champ, but his three victories are proof that he can still be a factor. Despite the uneven performances, he is actually running better than he was last season at this point. “Smoke” doesn’t deserve to be considered the favorite to win the title, but it would be foolish to count him out after what he did in last year’s Chase. The three-time champ can still get focused for big moments as well as any driver in the series.
7. Matt Kenseth: After looking like a frontrunner for the title most of the year, Kenseth appears to be heading in the wrong direction at the wrong time. He has just two top-five finishes in his last 10 starts and has a mediocre 19.2 average finish in his last five starts. You have to wonder if his impending departure from Roush Fenway Racing is starting to takes a toll.
8. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer has been solid all season, and his season totals currently include one win, five top-five finishes and 13 top-10s. More importantly, he has been steadily improving in his first year with Michael Waltrip Racing. Bowyer has an 11.5 average finish for the year, and that mark improves to 9.6 in his last 10 starts. He has been even better in his last five races, compiling a 7.4 average finish. With a history of winning races in the Chase, Bowyer could be a surprise factor for the title.
9. Martin Truex Jr.: The bubble that has burst every year for Truex is finally staying in one piece in 2012. Although there have been minor blips along the way, he has managed to avoid the devastating slumps that have ruined his fast starts in years past. In fact, Truex has actually reeled off four straight top 10s to all but ensure himself a playoff spot. Now, the question becomes can he continue to contend despite having no previous experience running for a title. We will soon find out.
10. Denny Hamlin: He has two wins, nine top-five finishes and 11 top-10s in 2012. While Hamlin’s totals are impressive on paper, there are some serious concerns about his consistency. He has yet to go on a real hot streak, and he always seems to follow a couple of strong runs with a couple of mediocre ones. Hamlin is going to make the Chase despite the ups and down, but he is going to have a tough time winning a title.
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