Johnson atop week 2 NASCAR rankings

Gilbert is back to rank his week two NASCAR top 15 rankings. Only one driver Kyle Busch, dropped from this weekend's top 15 and another entered with Casey Mears. As fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and the Budweiser #8 cracks into the top 10.  (Based on last week performance, previous history at last weeks track, and upcoming track history)

1. Jimmie Johnson - (Prev. 5): The Crew and Co. wins NASCAR's biggest race without crew chief Chad Knaus, Johnson ranks #1 in my power poll rankings this week.

2. Tony Stewart - (Prev. 1): T. Stewart and incidents Sunday during the 500 dropped him a tick on the rankings this week.  But finishing a top 5 Sunday, I could easily have him #1.

3. Mark Martin - (Prev. 4): Mark led a total of 19 laps, equaled the total amount of restrictor plate laps led combined since Talladega fall race of '01. Much more than expected from Daytona 500, great way to start 2006 for the coveted NEXTEL Cup.

4. Ryan Newman - (Prev. 6): Newman matched a career best finish of 3rd at a restrictor plate track, finishing 3rd tying a career best last fall at Talladega Super Speedway.  Newman finishing 3rd Sunday, topping his career best at Daytona by three positions, moves two spots to fourth on my power rankings.

5. Matt Kenseth - (Prev. 7): A wild Sunday, Reiser and crew kept things together, finishing outside the top 10 with an 11th place finish. The second highest finishing Roush car Sunday.

6. Greg Biffle - (Prev. 3): Biffle had a typical Biffle day at a restrictor plate track, finishing late 20s and early 30's with a finish 31st Sunday.  Would of broke the top 5 power rankings minus the late 500 wreck.

7. Jeff Gordon - (Prev. 2): Jeff had not so typical Gordon day at Daytona, finishing 26th but don't count out the #24 Dupont team. Jeff has 3 wins, and five top 5 finishes at California Speedway.

8. Elliott Sadler - (Prev. 10): Sadler had confidence entering Speedweeks 2006, and backed it up with a top 5 finish in fourth position.

9. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - (Prev. 11): Earnhardt doubled his amount of laps led from 2005, minus the fall Atlanta race. Earnhardt fans can now rejoice with a top 10 finish, he now breaks into my top 10 rankings.

10. Kevin Harvick - (Prev. 12): Not a top 10 finish, although rest of my previous top 10 ranking didn't fair well.  Harvick rounds out the top 10 rankings, finishing 14th Sunday.

11. Casey Mears - (Prev. Unranked): New team, new start with the Havoline #42 team.  Mears has registered 3 top 5 finishes in the last 4 races, and a career best finish Sunday with a second place finish. Mears could be a sleeper in 2006.

12. Kurt Busch - (Prev. 8): Busch had a successful start Sunday, although as the afternoon sun set. Busch's start to the 2006 Miller Lite campaign finished 38th, after a day in the top 10 in Daytona.

13. Dale Jarrett - (Prev. 15): Jarrett finished 10th Sunday, which was a typical Dale Jarrett day. Four of the last seven finishes at Daytona, Jarrett has finished 10th.

14. Carl Edwards - (Prev. 9): Sophomore Jinx? Edwards finished dead last Sunday in the Daytona 500.  Will the #99 Office Depot crew and driver overcome early 2006 start?

15. Jamie McMurray- (Prev.13): Okay, Okay... I was close in predicting McMurray as the highest finishing Roush car Sunday (In my Daytona 500 predictions), until his several run-ends late. If any indication from Daytona, McMurray will be strong in 2006. This weekend he rounds out the bottom of my rankings both for Roush and the top 15, look for him to climb next week.

Dropped from previous ranking: Kyle Busch

Also see Gilbert's previous power ranking, NASCAR preseason to 15.

Look for Gilbert's weekly rankings on Monday's after each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race. To reach Gilbert e-mail him at GNEXTHIS@GMAIL.com

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