NASCAR: Driver Power Rankings After Second Pocono Race

LONG POND, PA - JULY 30: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Caramel Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA - JULY 30: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Caramel Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton's 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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LONG POND, PA – JULY 30: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 STANLEY Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA – JULY 30: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 STANLEY Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 30, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

No. 19. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. DANIEL SUAREZ. HM. [Last Race: Not Ranked (+1)] — It looks like all it took to really get Daniel Suarez going was Joe Gibbs Racing getting their first victory of the season. The team has now won two of the past three races, a span during which Suarez has finished no lower than 7th place, which makes him an honorable mention in these rankings for the first time this season. Can he be the Rookie of the Year or even potentially win his way into the playoffs?

HM. [Last Race: 9th (-2)] — There has been nothing honorable about Jimmie Johnson’s finishes lately, as he has not finished higher than 10th place since his most recent victory at Dover nine races ago. However, removing him from this list is not an option, at least not yet. He is tied for the Cup Series lead with three victories and sits 2nd in the playoff standings. The seven-time champion knows how to win when it matters most, as evidenced by that “seven-time champion” part.. No. 48. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. JIMMIE JOHNSON