NASCAR power rankings: Brad Keselowski topples Hendrick Motorsports juggernaut

Be it Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports has had a monopoly on the No. 1 position in the weekly NASCAR power rankings. Not since Joey Logano following Talladega in early May has a non-Hendrick driver ascended to the top spot.

That run of supremacy ends this week courtesy of Brad Keselowski, who much as he did two weeks ago at Kentucky Speedway, stomped the field in winning Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

1. Brad Keselowski (Last week: 3)

The moment Keselowski took the checkered flag, the jokes began flying on social media about the ensuing celebration, which per tradition included a 20-pound live lobster. And who of course was the first to crack wise? That would be Keselowski’s team, who, of course, reminded their driver to wear gloves in Victory Lane.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (LW: 1)

As he said himself, it wasn’t too long ago finishing 10th after a subpar qualifying effort would have elicited back flips. Not so anymore. As a downcast Earnhardt could barely muster a smile over what was a gritty Sunday drive at New Hampshire, which ultimately secured a Chase berth. But Earnhardt was right when he pointed how much the 88 team has evolved in recent years.

3. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 2)

What’s the best rivalry in NASCAR, you’re wondering? It’s not Ford vs. Chevy. It’s not Keselowski vs. Earnhardt. Nope, it’s Johnson and Chad Knaus vs. Goodyear. New Hampshire was the third time the 48 was hampered by a tire-related problem this season, and naturally both again blamed the other.

4. Matt Kenseth (LW: 6)

Though still in search of its first win, the No. 20 team continues to quietly round into Chase form. That first victory of the season could occur any week, and if it comes in the Brickyard 400 it would mark Kenseth’s first at Indianapolis and give him wins in all four NASCAR majors.

5. Jeff Gordon (LW: 4)

From struggling early and falling a lap down to clawing back and putting himself in second on the day’s final restart, and then only to run out of gas, Gordon’s Sunday was like being on the biggest roller coaster in New England.

6. Kevin Harvick (LW: 5)

Go ahead and add running out of gas while solidly in the top-10 with a handful of laps remaining to the frustrations Harvick has experienced this year. It’s a list which also includes motors blowing, tires popping, oil lines breaking, numerous slow pit stops and driver gaffes.

7. Kyle Busch (LW: 9)

Three consecutive runner-ups for Busch at New Hampshire, which bodes well for when the series returns in the fall for Chase race No. 2. Even in spite of the unevenness of Joe Gibbs Racing this season, it’s still surprising Busch doesn’t have more than a single victory. Though, it does seem to fit a pattern with his win totals since 20011: four, one and four.

8. Joey Logano (LW: 7)

Not everyone can say they got wrecked by a 72-year-old while running second. So if there is a silver lining for Logano coming out of the weekend, it’s that at least he now has a story to tell. That probably doesn’t offer him much solace, but at least it’s a start.

9. Clint Bowyer (LW: 10)

New Hampshire has been a good track to Bowyer over the years. It’s where he won his first career race in 2007 and where he snapped a lengthy losing streak three years later. That’s why conventional wisdom thought it might be the site where the Michael Waltrip Racing driver ends his most recent dry spell that dates back to October 2012. It never happened, though a sixth-place finish was a nice consolation and moved Bowyer to 10th in points.

10. Ryan Newman (LW: 12)

Two top-fives in three weeks has stealthily moved Newman to seventh in points. Now can he win sometime over the next seven weeks and solidify his Chase position, maybe at Indianapolis where he returns as the defending champion?

11. Kurt Busch (LW: 8)

Every time it looks like Busch is ready to go on a mini-run and roll off some top 10s, he takes a step backward. The latest being a 17th at New Hampshire where the handling on the No. 41 car was askew all afternoon and a pair of track position gambles backfired due to a rash of late cautions.

12. Tony Stewart (LW: 15)

He may be 19th in points, but Stewart gives the impression of a driver who’s ready to pop off a win soon. And the schedule sets up nicely for him to do just that. He owns multiple victories at Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Atlanta and Richmond -- so every track except Bristol (surprisingly) -- in the lead up to the Chase.

13. Denny Hamlin (LW: Unranked)

Much like Kenseth and Busch, Hamlin is becoming a more consistent presence in the top 10 every week. The one glaring difference between his teammates and himself, however, is that they have combined to lead 704 laps through 19 races, whereas Hamlin has been out front for just 80.

14. Carl Edwards (LW: 14)

Not a great New Hampshire by any means, but considering Roush Fenway Racing’s recent struggles, a 13th-place finish is something to build on. One of the more interesting subplots to watch in the next few weeks is whether Roush can pull out of its funk and perhaps vault Edwards into something more than just one of 16 guys in the Chase.

15. Kasey Kahne (LW: Unranked)

There has been an uptick in performance in the 5 team recently, but unless it can push Kahne into Victory Lane it won’t matter. Because of his precarious ranking in the standings (17th), winning might be Kahne’s only avenue to a playoff spot.