Watkins Glen power rankings
When Friday's qualifying at Watkins Glen was rained out, I had a feeling, Tony Stewart, who only kicks butt on road courses, had his weapon to win. You see, when he won in 2004 and 2005, the Friday qualifying was washed out.
I'm not prophetic, just clairvoyant, I guess.
All self-deprecation aside, Stewart won for the third time in four weeks and is starting to seriously challenge Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for season supremacy.
But is he up any higher on the power rankings? Read on...
Here are the latest power rankings after the Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen.
1. Jeff Gordon: He proved he's human, but he still finished 9th despite his spinout.
2. Tony Stewart: It's 2005 all over again. That year? Five wins in seven weeks before the Chase. So far...three in four weeks and counting.
3. Denny Hamlin: He was third on Sunday, so he belongs here.
4. Jimmie Johnson: Back-to-back successful weeks renews confidence. His crew chief comes back next week.
5. Matt Kenseth: Had good starting position (3rd), finished 12th.
6. Carl Edwards: Couldn't catch Stewart late, followed Gordon's example of quality save.
7. Jeff Burton: Got caught up in Harvick-Montoya mess, had to play peacemaker.
8. Martin Truex, Jr.: Got into Montoya's backside. Tell that to Harvick.
9. Clint Bowyer: Finished 16th. Needs a win.
10. Kurt Busch: Still in 12th in points, finished 11th.
11. Kyle Busch: Heading to Gibbs, made impression with 7th-place run.
12. Kevin Harvick: Big Baby got wrecked out, lost spot in points.
On the way up: Ryan Newman (96 points behind Kurt Busch for last Chase spot), Boris Said (didn't get to qualify on Friday, was given Bill Elliott's ride. Moved the No. 21 from 39th to 14th).
On the way out: Everyone below Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in the standings. With four races left before the Chase, 15th-place driver Greg Biffle is 212 points behind Kurt Busch. Catching him will take Busch finishing with four straight DNFs.
Michigan track fact: This is the first of six straight weeks of repeat performances at Nextel Cup tracks. When the drivers convened at Michigan on Father's Day, Carl Edwards ended a 52-race drought with a win. Ford and Dodge have won the last 13 races at MIS, which is located about an hour west of Detroit.
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