Power Rankings: Watkins Glen to Michigan

By Pat DeCola | Published: August 6, 2019 21

Harris Lue | NASCAR Digital Media

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Harris Lue | NASCAR Digital Media

NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers after the race at Watkins Glen International and before Michigan International Speedway.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Menards/Duracel Optimum Ford, looks on during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

20. Paul Menard (-2): Menard had an excellent stretch at Michigan from 2011-15, compiling four top-four finishes and six top 10s. Since then, he has just one top 10 (June 2018).

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Chris Buescher, driver of the #37 Kroger Fast Start Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

19. Chris Buescher (+1): Should Buescher be considered a playoff candidate? An average finish of 13.73 since Dover with no finishes worse than 18th in that span argue he just might be.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

18. Daniel Suarez (+1): Long looked at as a good location for his first Cup Series win -- Michigan was the site of Suarez' first national series victory in 2016 -- the Stewart-Haas Racing driver should be competitive this weekend after a top-five result earlier this season.

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BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - JUNE 09: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Coca Cola Ford, participates in pre-race ceremonies during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 09, 2019 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

17. Ryan Newman (-1): Before June's eighth-place run, the last four top 10s Newman had at Michigan all came in the August race dating back to 2011.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, climbs into his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

16. Jimmie Johnson (+1): Johnson has just one win and five top fives in 35 starts at Michigan, but he's also the track's leader in laps led (700) and will be racing with a little fire in his belly after getting heated at Watkins Glen.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers/Haas Automation Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

15. Clint Bowyer (--): Bowyer has just one top 10 finish at Michigan since finishing 10th there in June 2015. That one finish? A win, last year.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, signs an autograph for a fan during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

14. William Byron (-1): For a driver in need of playoff positioning, trying to force payback on Kyle Busch, of all people, perhaps wasn't the best course of action for Byron. Still, he led two laps at Michigan earlier this year and could eek out a solid finish this weekend if Hendrick Motorsports keeps their recent uptick in performance rolling.

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LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JULY 19: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald's Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 19, 2019 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

13. Kyle Larson (+1): Larson won this race in 2017 for his third straight Michigan victory. Another victory this weekend would go a long way toward building momentum as the playoffs near.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, climbs into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

12. Alex Bowman (-1): Bowman has just one top 10 in eight starts at Michigan -- a place where we've seen the No. 88 compete for wins in the not-too-distant past -- though that finish came in June at a time when HMS was still figuring things out.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

11. Aric Almirola (-2): Almirola has just one top 10 in 14 tries at Michigan, but, hey, it came in last year's running of this race and we've seen Stewart-Haas Racing excel there lately. Not counting him out.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 DeWalt Toyota, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

10. Erik Jones (+2): One of the hottest drivers in the series heads north to his home track in Michigan. He was third in this race in 2017, but it's his only top 10 there in five starts.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 PPG Ford, gets into his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

9. Ryan Blaney (-1): Blaney has an excellent shot this weekend to pick up his first win of the year after running off three straight top-nine performances in the Irish Hills the last three races there. As long as Jimmie Johnson doesn't have a say, that is.

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LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JULY 19: Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, stands by his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 19, 2019 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Trotman | Getty Images

8. Kurt Busch (-1): June's runner up also won at Michigan in June 2015 and has three straight top-six finishes there ... but has just two top 10s in the August race since 2012.

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LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JULY 19: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 19, 2019 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

7. Brad Keselowski (-1): It always has to be mentioned, so here goes: Keselowski is excellent at his home track, but has never won. His 17th-place run in this race (from the pole) in 2017 is his only finish worse than ninth since placing 12th in this race in 2013.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS ChevroletChase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet,poses with the pole award after qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

6. Chase Elliott (+4): If you're doubtful Sunday's winner at The Glen can keep it rolling at Michigan, his three straight runner-ups in his first three Michigan races would like a word with you.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

5. Kevin Harvick (--): Harvick, the defending race winner, was also the only driver to lead double-digit laps in the June race dominated by Joey Logano and is the only driver in the series with double digit top-five Michigan finishes (12).

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 MoneyLion Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

4. Joey Logano (-2): Logano picked up his series-leading third Michigan win in June, leading 163 laps from his fourth pole (also series-leading) there. He hasn't won since that race but he might be the favorite heading into the weekend.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, walks on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 27, 2019 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

3. Denny Hamlin (--): Hamlin is on fire right now. He was positioned to scoot by for the win at Watkins Glen if the leaders in front of him wrecked and finished third -- his fifth such finish in the last seven races. He's no slouch at Michigan, either, with two wins and 12 top 10s there.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, stands on pit road during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

2. Martin Truex Jr. (+2): Truex Jr., is 0-for-27 at Michigan, sure, but he has four finishes of third or better from 2015-on and has led laps in five of the last seven races there.

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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Hazelnut Toyota, stands by his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 03, 2019 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

1. Kyle Busch (--): And then there's this guy. He narrowly avoided dropping from the top spot for the first time all season by virtue of Elliott holding off Truex for the win, but he could dig his feet in a little deeper this weekend. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has five straight Michigan top 10s, the past three of which were top fives.