Johnson's run as big as Texas
In case you missed it, Jimmie Johnson made a loud, boisterous statement when he won the Dickies 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
He's the defending champion and everyone else has to go through the No. 48 to get to the ultimate prize.
Will he reclaim the primo, numero-uno, top-dog spot in our power rankings? Read on to find out.
Here are the latest power rankings after the Dickies 500 from Texas Motor Speedway.
1. Jimmie Johnson: His performance on Sunday, surviving the duel with Matt Kenseth in the closing laps, gives him the gold key to the championship suite.
2. Jeff Gordon: Unless he can find a way to sweep the wins at Phoenix, the drive for five will have to wait another year.
3. Clint Bowyer: He started this Chase at the bottom rung of the totem pole. Nice work to get to this point.
4. Tony Stewart: Latest of the two-time champs (2002, 2005). Bad breaks in the regular season hurt.
5. Kurt Busch: From brat who ruffled feathers, he's become a smart, mature race car driver.
6. Carl Edwards: Busch Series crown a fine consolation prize to a disappointing Chase.
7. Kyle Busch: Doing his best to leave Hendrick Motorsports on winning terms.
8. Matt Kenseth: Has a win on the season (California in February), but poor finishes in the Chase damaged title hopes early.
9. Jeff Burton: RCR leader will be strong again in '08
10. Kevin Harvick: Daytona 500 champ should kiss NASCAR's feet for adding two drivers to Chase.
11. Denny Hamlin: Sophomore slump came at the worst possible time.
12. Martin Truex Jr.: He was strong at Texas on Sunday, but came up short to the 48.
Phoenix track fact: When Gordon won at the 1-mile oval in April, he became the first driver in 21 tries to win from the pole at PIR. Johnson hasn't won at PIR or at Homestead, where the championship will be decided in two weeks.
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