Power Rankings: Pocono to Michigan

By Chase Wilhelm | Published: June 4, 2019 21

Cindy Gonzalez | NASCAR Digital Media

1 of 21

Cindy Gonzalez | NASCAR Digital Media

NASCAR.com's Chase Wilhelm ranks the top 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers after the Pocono 400 and before the race at Michigan International Speedway.

2 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, stands on pit road during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Open Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Rank: 20

Change: -1

Comment: Stenhouse's lone top-10 finish at Michigan occurred in June 2017, but just two top 10 results so far this season leave some question marks regarding how well he can fare this time around.

3 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 23: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, looks on in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

Driver: Kyle Larson

Rank: 19

Change: -2

Comment: Larson swept both stages at Pocono but hit the wall late. The No. 42 has speed, but Larson just needs to close the deal, something he did on three consecutive occasions at Michigan from 2016-17.

4 of 21

KANSAS CITY, KS - MAY 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 American Ethanol Chevrolet, waves to fans during the pre-race ceremonies of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Austin Dillon

Rank: 18

Change: +2

Comment: Dillon hasn't finished in the top 10 since Richmond, but the tide has the potential to turn at Michigan if he can rekindle the magic from a fourth-place finish there last August.

5 of 21

KANSAS CITY, KS - MAY 10: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Digital Ally 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Jimmie Johnson

Rank: 17

Change: -3

Comment: As impatience and frustration grow for Johnson, Michigan might not be the place to quell those feelings. The track wasn’t good to him last season, with finishes of 20th and 28th. He did score a victory in the Irish Hills in 2014, though.

6 of 21

DOVER, DE - MAY 04: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Wyndham Rewards Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Ryan Newman

Rank: 16

Change: --

Comment: After three straight top 10s, Newman hasn't finished better than 16th in the last four races and a 16.4 career average finish at Michigan doesn’t hold out much hope to drastically reverse it.

7 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Craftsman Toyota, stands in the garage area during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Erik Jones

Rank: 15

Change: +3

Comment: Finishes of sixth or better in three of the last four races and an 11.0 average finish at Michigan bodes well for Jones to improve on his 15th-place finish in this race one year ago.

8 of 21

DOVER, DE - MAY 03: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 3, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

Driver: William Byron

Rank: 14

Change: +1

Comment: Finishing in the top 10 in three of the last four 2019 events, let’s just ignore Byron's 24.5 average finish at Michigan. The No. 24 has been fast and expect he and crew chief Chad Knaus to keep the trend going.

9 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, watches on in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Alex Bowman

Rank: 13

Change: -5

Comment: A four-race string of top-10 finishes ended at Pocono when Bowman lost fourth gear, nursing the car to 15th place. The No. 88 driver has never scored better than 16th at Michigan (June 2018), but Hendrick has definitely found speed.

10 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 23: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #41 Coca-Cola Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Driver: Daniel Suarez

Rank: 12

Change: +1

Comment: A 25.5 average finish at Michigan isn't great, but Suarez has speed in the No. 41 car and an eighth-place finish at Pocono could mean the team is on to something.

11 of 21

DOVER, DE - MAY 04: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, stands by his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 4, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Aric Almirola

Rank: 11

Change: +1

Comment: After moving to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2018, Almirola's Michigan results improved with finishes of 11th and seventh. Though his best finish in the past four races is 10th (Pocono), look for the No. 10 to better that on Sunday.

12 of 21

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, prepares to practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Ryan Blaney

Rank: 10

Change: --

Comment: Blaney hopes to turn an up-and-down season around at Michigan after finishes of eighth and fifth at the 2-mile track in 2018.

13 of 21

DOVER, DE - MAY 03: Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway on May 3, 2019 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

Driver: Kurt Busch

Rank: 9

Change: --

Comment: Busch showed strength at Michigan in 2018 with finishes of third and sixth. He'll be heading into his first trip to the Irish Hills with Chip Ganassi Racing.

14 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, watches on in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Open Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

Driver: Denny Hamlin

Rank: 8

Change: -1

Comment: Michigan isn't Hamlin’s strongest track, but four finishes of 12th or better in the past five races there and a seventh place at sister track Auto Club Speedway this year offer promise.

15 of 21

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, climbs into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Clint Bowyer

Rank: 7

Change: +4

Comment: Bowyer heads to Michigan as the defending race winner and with a little momentum on his side after a fifth-place finish at Pocono.

16 of 21

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 01: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 01, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Rank: 6

Change: -3

Comment: Truex has been hit or miss at Michigan throughout his career, but with three victories in the last six races this year, you can't count him out in the Irish Hills.

17 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Kevin Harvick Busch Beer Millennial Car Ford gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Open Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

Driver: Kevin Harvick

Rank: 5

Change: --

Comment: Still searching for Victory Lane in 2019, Michigan could be Harvick's saving grace with a second-place finish in June and a victory in August last season.

18 of 21

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Joey Logano

Rank: 4

Change: -2

Comment: Logano only has one finish outside the top-10 in the past 12 Michigan races, including two victories in that span.

19 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, stands in the garage during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Brad Keselowski

Rank: 3

Change: +3

Comment: A runner-up finish at Pocono gives Keselowski momentum to earn a coveted first win at his home track where he has eight top-10 finishes in the past 10 events.

20 of 21

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Chase Elliott

Rank: 2

Change: +2

Comment: Currently riding a five-race top-five finishing streak, Elliott heads to Michigan where he’s never finished outside the top 10 in his career.

21 of 21

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 23: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Red White & Blue Toyota, looks on in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

Driver: Kyle Busch

Rank: 1

Change: --

Comment: Coming off his fourth win of the season at Pocono, Busch has finished 10th or better in the past four races at Michigan, including a pair of top fives in 2018.