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Harvick earns top nod, Stenhouse Jr. busts into pre-Daytona 500 Power Rankings powered by Mack Trucks
By Pat DeCola | Published: February 11, 2020 21
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20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+2):
Comment: Often drawing the ire of his competitors on superspeedways, Stenhouse Jr. shocked most of the garage Sunday by securing the Daytona 500 pole in his new JTG Daugherty Racing digs -- then got to sit back and watch drivers wreck each other in the Busch Clash until only six cars remained. We're thinking Stenhouse is feeling pretty good about 2020 so far.
Comment: Often drawing the ire of his competitors on superspeedways, Stenhouse Jr. shocked most of the garage Sunday by securing the Daytona 500 pole in his new JTG Daugherty Racing digs -- then got to sit back and watch drivers wreck each other in the Busch Clash until only six cars remained. We're thinking Stenhouse is feeling pretty good about 2020 so far.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
19. Christopher Bell (--):
Comment: Every indication is there that Bell and the No. 95 team are essentially going to be looked at as a true satellite team of Joe Gibbs Racing, which is only good news for the incoming rookie. He was sixth in opening Daytona 500 practice, sandwiched between his four JGR cohorts and Daniel Suarez.
Comment: Every indication is there that Bell and the No. 95 team are essentially going to be looked at as a true satellite team of Joe Gibbs Racing, which is only good news for the incoming rookie. He was sixth in opening Daytona 500 practice, sandwiched between his four JGR cohorts and Daniel Suarez.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
18. Matt DiBenedetto (+1):
Comment: DiBenedetto has mostly outperformed his Team Penske teammates at Daytona so far, and as of right now looks to be a fringe playoff candidate. He's a super-talented driver in an above-average ride that now-teammate Ryan Blaney notched a top-10 points finish with in 2017. That could happen again.
Comment: DiBenedetto has mostly outperformed his Team Penske teammates at Daytona so far, and as of right now looks to be a fringe playoff candidate. He's a super-talented driver in an above-average ride that now-teammate Ryan Blaney notched a top-10 points finish with in 2017. That could happen again.
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17. Aric Almirola (-2):
Comment: Technically, Almirola got a top 10 in the Clash. He also technically didn't finish the race, so ... there's that. He also has a new crew chief and the second half of his 2019 season was pretty unexceptional. I expect he'll make some noise this year, but Almirola's got some work to do.
Comment: Technically, Almirola got a top 10 in the Clash. He also technically didn't finish the race, so ... there's that. He also has a new crew chief and the second half of his 2019 season was pretty unexceptional. I expect he'll make some noise this year, but Almirola's got some work to do.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
16. Jimmie Johnson (+1):
Comment: Johnson has shown speed thus far through Speedweeks -- as Hendrick Motorsports has made a habit of doing over the years -- but more so than that, the seven-time champ appears super focused and determined. Consider this bump on mojo alone, as I'm starting to think he might not be done winning races -- plural -- yet.
Comment: Johnson has shown speed thus far through Speedweeks -- as Hendrick Motorsports has made a habit of doing over the years -- but more so than that, the seven-time champ appears super focused and determined. Consider this bump on mojo alone, as I'm starting to think he might not be done winning races -- plural -- yet.
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15. Ryan Newman (+1):
Comment: Newman was driving one of just a small handful of cars at the finish of Sunday's Clash, so that alone is worth a spot in the rankings. The adept superspeedway racer appears to have a front-of-the-field No. 6 Ford under him, as well.
Comment: Newman was driving one of just a small handful of cars at the finish of Sunday's Clash, so that alone is worth a spot in the rankings. The adept superspeedway racer appears to have a front-of-the-field No. 6 Ford under him, as well.
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14. William Byron (-1):
Comment: Despite the slight dip, Byron has had speed thus far through Speedweeks. His No. 24 Chevrolet appears to be a tick slower than his Hendrick teammates, however, but that's of little concern. Byron has a bright season ahead of him.
Comment: Despite the slight dip, Byron has had speed thus far through Speedweeks. His No. 24 Chevrolet appears to be a tick slower than his Hendrick teammates, however, but that's of little concern. Byron has a bright season ahead of him.
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13. Clint Bowyer (+1):
Comment: Bowyer was third in the Clash -- which is basically a win given how few cars finished that race -- and it's so far, so good with new crew chief John Klausmeier. Plus, that Chiefs Super Bowl win has to count for something, momentum-wise, for the notorious Chiefs fan.
Comment: Bowyer was third in the Clash -- which is basically a win given how few cars finished that race -- and it's so far, so good with new crew chief John Klausmeier. Plus, that Chiefs Super Bowl win has to count for something, momentum-wise, for the notorious Chiefs fan.
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12. Brad Keselowski (-4):
Comment: The winner of last year's second race of the season, Keselowski probably wouldn't mind skipping a week and heading straight to Las Vegas based on the first few days of Speedweeks. The 2012 champion's frustrations are boiling over already. It could be a long season for the veteran.
Comment: The winner of last year's second race of the season, Keselowski probably wouldn't mind skipping a week and heading straight to Las Vegas based on the first few days of Speedweeks. The 2012 champion's frustrations are boiling over already. It could be a long season for the veteran.
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11. Alex Bowman (--):
Comment: For the third consecutive year, Bowman lands on the front row for the Daytona 500 after harnessing the raw speed of the Hendrick superspeedway package. He wasn't able to translate either of the past two years into a top 10, but perhaps he'll get the season started off right this year.
Comment: For the third consecutive year, Bowman lands on the front row for the Daytona 500 after harnessing the raw speed of the Hendrick superspeedway package. He wasn't able to translate either of the past two years into a top 10, but perhaps he'll get the season started off right this year.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
10. Ryan Blaney (-1):
Comment: Blaney should have a strong season ahead of him with new crew chief Todd Gordon, but the admittedly minimal early returns aren't much to write home about, speed-wise. He posted just the 27th-fastest qualifying speed and was 32nd on the speed charts in second practice.
Comment: Blaney should have a strong season ahead of him with new crew chief Todd Gordon, but the admittedly minimal early returns aren't much to write home about, speed-wise. He posted just the 27th-fastest qualifying speed and was 32nd on the speed charts in second practice.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
9. Kurt Busch (+1):
Comment: Busch hasn't done much to impress so far at Daytona, wrecking out of the Clash and a 19th-place spot in second 500 practice marking his best spot on the speed charts. Still, he's a strong superspeedway racer and should be in contention Sunday.
Comment: Busch hasn't done much to impress so far at Daytona, wrecking out of the Clash and a 19th-place spot in second 500 practice marking his best spot on the speed charts. Still, he's a strong superspeedway racer and should be in contention Sunday.
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8. Erik Jones (+3):
Comment: Jones not only won the Clash in impressive fashion, dragging around a significantly damaged No. 20 Toyota to the checkered flag, but it appears he's got a plenty-fast ride for the Daytona 500 as well. A good Speedweeks appears to be in store for the JGR product.
Comment: Jones not only won the Clash in impressive fashion, dragging around a significantly damaged No. 20 Toyota to the checkered flag, but it appears he's got a plenty-fast ride for the Daytona 500 as well. A good Speedweeks appears to be in store for the JGR product.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
7. Chase Elliott (-1):
Comment: As has been the case at superspeedways the past few years, Elliott has been fast thus far and was even scored as the top-finishing Clash driver that didn't finish the race (in seventh!). His first Daytona 500 win could certainly be on the horizon.
Comment: As has been the case at superspeedways the past few years, Elliott has been fast thus far and was even scored as the top-finishing Clash driver that didn't finish the race (in seventh!). His first Daytona 500 win could certainly be on the horizon.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
6. Kyle Larson (+1):
Comment: It has always seemed that Larson tended to get caught up in all of the "Big Ones" that Daytona could throw at him -- so it's a bit notable he was one of the few cars to actually finish the Clash. Perhaps his luck at the superspeedway is starting to turn.
Comment: It has always seemed that Larson tended to get caught up in all of the "Big Ones" that Daytona could throw at him -- so it's a bit notable he was one of the few cars to actually finish the Clash. Perhaps his luck at the superspeedway is starting to turn.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
5. Joey Logano (--):
Comment: Logano crashed out of the Clash, yes, but it was while leading and came after an aggressive block -- the kind of tailor-made Logano move he typically pulls off. He'll be fine, and Logano appears positioned to once again be the top car at Team Penske.
Comment: Logano crashed out of the Clash, yes, but it was while leading and came after an aggressive block -- the kind of tailor-made Logano move he typically pulls off. He'll be fine, and Logano appears positioned to once again be the top car at Team Penske.
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4. Martin Truex Jr. (-3):
Comment: Since the last update to these rankings post-Miami, Truex's No. 19 team underwent arguably the biggest staffing move: losing the retiring crew chief Cole Pearn for rookie shot-caller James Small. Truex still is the same driver and Small probably has an extensive notebook to work with, but let's see how this plays out for a few weeks.
Comment: Since the last update to these rankings post-Miami, Truex's No. 19 team underwent arguably the biggest staffing move: losing the retiring crew chief Cole Pearn for rookie shot-caller James Small. Truex still is the same driver and Small probably has an extensive notebook to work with, but let's see how this plays out for a few weeks.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
3. Denny Hamlin (+1):
Comment: While nothing is a lock at Daytona, Hamlin is looking like a strong bet to repeat as "Great American Race" champ. The vet pushed his teammate to the win in the Clash after leading 12 laps himself and has shown speed in practice.
Comment: While nothing is a lock at Daytona, Hamlin is looking like a strong bet to repeat as "Great American Race" champ. The vet pushed his teammate to the win in the Clash after leading 12 laps himself and has shown speed in practice.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
2. Kyle Busch (--):
Comment: Busch wrecked while racing for the lead in the Clash but has shown speed throughout Speedweeks. Last year's second-half dip is a bit concerning, but you can't knock the 2019 champion's end result.
Comment: Busch wrecked while racing for the lead in the Clash but has shown speed throughout Speedweeks. Last year's second-half dip is a bit concerning, but you can't knock the 2019 champion's end result.
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1. Kevin Harvick (+2):
Comment: It would appear more likely than not that Harvick's 2020 campaign will more echo his second half of 2019 than the first -- a good thing for the 2014 champ. A new contract extension with SHR and arguably the strongest driver/crew chief relationship makes us think it's his title to lose, with only 36 races to go.
Comment: It would appear more likely than not that Harvick's 2020 campaign will more echo his second half of 2019 than the first -- a good thing for the 2014 champ. A new contract extension with SHR and arguably the strongest driver/crew chief relationship makes us think it's his title to lose, with only 36 races to go.
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NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 drivers entering the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season ahead of the Daytona 500. Read on for the full field in Power Rankings powered by Mack Trucks.