CUP: Kansas Power Rankings

Sprint Cup

CUP: Kansas Power Rankings

Brad Keselowski is back on top of the FOXSports.com/SPEED.com Power Rankings…

Tom Jensen | Posted October 22, 2012 Charlotte, NC

Brad Keselowski remains the Sprint Cup Series points leader. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Brad Keselowski returns to the No. 1 slot in the FOXSports.com/SPEED.com Power Rankings this week, with just four races left in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

The new list, following Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway:

1. BRAD KESELOWSKI — OK, ninth place wasn’t the finish Keselowski wanted. But he didn’t lose any of his lead on Jimmie Johnson and picked up five points on Denny Hamlin. Last week: 2nd.

2. JIMMIE JOHNSON — Did Johnson’s crew win him a sixth title by their amazing rebuild of his wrecked car, or did Johnson lose it by crashing mid-race? We’ll know in four weeks. Last week: 1st.

3. CLINT BOWYER — The Kansas native couldn’t back up his Charlotte victory, but finished a respectable sixth. Still very much a long shot to win championship. Last week: 4th.

4. DENNY HAMLIN — When your rivals stumble, you must pounce. Instead, Hamlin finished a disappointing 13th at Kansas. His title hopes are rapidly fading. Last week: 3rd.

5. KASEY KAHNE — A good run for Kahne, who finished fourth. But he might have done even better without bobbling on a late restart. Last week: 6th.

6. MATT KENSETH — Congrats to Kenseth on what might be his final victory with Roush Fenway Racing. He and Keselowski have each won two Chase races. Last week: 12th.

7. TONY STEWART — A top-five finish for Stewart was good, but realistically, he’s not going to repeat as champion. Last week: 7th.

8. MARTIN TRUEX JR. — Great day for Truex, who finished second at Kansas. In fact, his only two runner-up finishes this season both came at Kansas. Last week: 8th.

9. JEFF GORDON — The four-time champion picked up one spot in the points with a 10th-place finish. Last week: 10th.

10. GREG BIFFLE — The big loser on the afternoon was Biffle, who was fast all day but ended the race 27th after contact with the wall. Last week: 5th.

11. KEVIN HARVICK — For the third time in the last five races, Harvick finished 11th. That should tell you something. Last week: 11th.

12. DALE EARNHARDT JR. — It looks like Junior will be back at Martinsville this weekend after missing a second race with a concussion. Last week: 13th.

13. KYLE BUSCH — The 2012 season can’t end soon enough for Busch, who finished 31st after getting wrecked by Ryan Newman. Last week: 9th.

14. REGAN SMITH — Seventh-place was a great result for Smith, who once again subbed for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Last week: 19th.

15. PAUL MENARD — Hey, everyone, it’s Menardi Gras! Menard finished third, his first top five since winning the Brickyard 400 in 2011. Last week: 18th.

16. MARCOS AMBROSE — Nice run for Ambrose, who finished 12th, his best result since Bristol. Last week: 20th.

17. CARL EDWARDS — Another disappointing weekend for Edwards, who finished 14th in a race his teammate won. Last week: 14th.

18. JAMIE MCMURRAY — A top-15 finish for McMurray, his first since the second Michigan race. Last week: 17th.

19. RYAN NEWMAN — An ugly afternoon for Newman, who limped home 30th. Last week: 15th.

20. JOEY LOGANO — Wait until next year for Logano, who was 19th at Kansas. Last week: 16th.

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief of SPEED.com, Senior NASCAR Editor at RACER and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. You can follow him online at twitter.com/tomjensen100.

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Tom Jensen

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