Power Rankings: The SpongeBob SquarePants 400 From Kansas
By Mike Hutton
Action from Kansas Speedway! Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Well, that’s over. Talladega race winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is sponsored, at least in part, by various flavors of soft drink Mountain Dew. Many fans sure could have used a sample on Sunday afternoon — it might have helped them stay awake for the single-file “drama” they had to endure. Teams will now caravan back to the midwest and visit Kansas Speedway. The SpongeBob SquarePants 400 from Kansas Speedway Power Rankings are given below.
New (or returning) to the list this week: 11, 27, 88
Leaving the list this week: 5, 22, 42
Honorable Mentions
(Last Week: NR) – A career best 4th-place finish from a part-time team with a rookie driver deserves an honorable mention in anyone’s book. I wish someone could have gotten a shot of dad Dave’s reaction. . No. 21. Wood Brothers. RYAN BLANEY. HM
Richard Petty Motorsports. SAM HORNISH, JR.. HM. (Last Week: NR) – While the 17th-place finish might not have reflected this team’s strong run, Hornish was quietly in the top 10 all day and remained trouble-free until the end.. No. 9
Power Rankings
#10. (Last Week: NR) – Does your family’s home improvement store chain sell VeraBond? There are 16 guys who are looking for a lot of it after the wreck you started along with the No. 6 and No. 41.. No. 27. Richard Childress Racing. PAUL MENARD
(Last Week: NR) – Way to kick the No. 21 to the back there when people finally started moving around. Guess if you couldn’t move up, someone else was gonna have to move back.. No. 11. Joe Gibbs Racing. DENNY HAMLIN. #9
#8. (Last Week: 10) – Along with the No. 19 of Carl Edwards, he was upset that a yellow wasn’t thrown on the last lap. It’s the last lap at Talladega and the track is still green, Matt… let’s start there. But then again, you were a true gentleman all day — you said, “no… after you” all day long, so at least you’re consistent.. No. 20. Joe Gibbs Racing. MATT KENSETH
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. JAMIE MCMURRAY. #7. (Last Week: 7) – Sponsor McDonald’s got rid of seven sandwiches from it’s menu this past week. You ranked 7th last week and 7th again this week. That’s 7-7-7 heading to Kansas, and the pay window usually likes that combination.. No. 1
Hendrick Motorsports. JEFF GORDON. #6. (Last Week: 4) – Funny how he remarked how relatively easy it was to get onto Talladega’s pit lane during the Xfinity broadcast on Saturday and then botched an entrance himself late in the race to earn yet another pit-road speeding penalty this season. That’s worth a two spot drop this week for sure.. No. 24
No. 88. Hendrick Motorsports. DALE EARNHARDT, JR.. #5. (Last Week: NR) – He said it was a real emotional week and that he hoped his dad would be proud of what he has become. Don’t lose any more sleep, sir. You have more than answered that question.
No. 78. Furniture Row Racing. MARTIN TRUEX, JR.. #4. (Last Week: 5) – Who knows where the ECR engine grenade would have ended up next. Fortunately, he didn’t have to find out. His 5th-place finish will move him up a spot this week due to Logano’s and Gordon’s troubles.
Stewart-Haas Racing. KURT BUSCH. #3. (Last Week: 2) – He shuffled up and down all day, and did a nice job weaving through the lap-47 wreck. That’s ‘Dega. He also learned that Andretti Autosport will field an entry for him again at Indy in 2016 if he’s interested. Hmmm.. No. 41
Hendrick Motorsports. JIMMIE JOHNSON. #2. (Last Week: 6) – Jimmie described this race as having “very little energy.” That’s the most profound thing he’s said. Ever. . No. 48
#1. (Last Week: 1) – Hope the free Bloomin’ Onions on Monday look better than your car did on Sunday, but yet you managed an 8th-place finish. Please finish better than the No. 48 next week, or your top spot here might be in jeopardy. . No.4. Stewart-Haas Racing. KEVIN HARVICK
What do you think? Did your driver make the list? Who would you have included? Excluded? Discuss below!
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