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NASCAR: Pre-Season Top-25 Power Rankings

By Christopher Olmstead

Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2), driver Kyle Larson (42), driver Joey Logano (22), driver Kyle Busch (18), and driver Kyle Larson (42) cross the restart line with three laps to go during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2), driver Kyle Larson (42), driver Joey Logano (22), driver Kyle Busch (18), and driver Kyle Larson (42) cross the restart line with three laps to go during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 15 to No. 11

Chip Ganassi Racing. JAMIE MCMURRAY. 15. Jamie McMurray has gone to the playoffs two years in a row. I don’t see him going again in 2017 but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve this spot on the pre-season rankings. McMurray has learned how to get the job done without winning races over the last two seasons and that’s not an easy thing to do. Maybe winning will rub off of Kyle Larson and onto McMurray in 2017.. No. 1

No. 31. Richard Childress Racing. RYAN NEWMAN. 14. Where has the Rocket Man gone? Well, that is something that fans have been wondering since his last win in 2013. The good thing about Ryan Newman though is that he doesn’t need to win races. Between 2014 and 2015 he was one of the most consistent drivers in the series while racking up the least amount of top-five and top-10 finishes. Some might argue the strategy but he did almost win a title in 2014. In 2017 Newman needs to find that magic again.

13. Welcome back June Bug! Now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is back there are a few things that the driver of the No. 88 machine needs to do this season. First and foremost he needs to stay healthy otherwise HMS fans might be seeing a lot more of Alex Bowman on a permanent basis. Second, he needs to win, something he hasn’t done since 2015. Last, Earnhardt needs to avoid fading in the playoffs, something that he did in both 2014 and 2015.. No. 88. Hendrick Motorsports. DALE EARNHARDT JR.

12. Last season Austin Dillon finally found consistency and success. This season can Dillon hold serve and build on that foundation? The goal for Dillon in 2017 should be to win a race while remaining consistent. If the consistency from 2016 remains this season, he should be in contention to win a few times. After that Dillon needs to make sure that he finds his way back to the playoffs. Missing the playoffs in 2017 would without question be a failed season.. No. 3. Richard Childress Racing. AUSTIN DILLON

11. What will the move to Ford do for Kurt Busch? Well, if you ask him he might say help him win more races. Busch was one of the most consistent drivers in 2016 during the regular season and in 2017 he needs to make that consistency last through all 36 races. Busch has been above average with SHR and should that continue in 2017, he should win a couple of times and make it back into the playoffs.. No. 41. Stewart-Haas Racing. KURT BUSCH

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