Our Power Rankings are far from a scientific formula. In fact, it's the perfect blend of analytics and bias against your favorite driver. And you think we dislike your favorite driver, so it makes sense, right? Direct all your complaints to us at happyhourmailbag@yahoo.com.
1. Kevin Harvick (LW: 2): Harvick has started the season with three-straight top-two finishes. He ended 2014 with three-straight top-two finishes. Not terrible, eh? In any circumstance, six-straight finishes of that magnitude is an impressive achievement, but Harvick and company have done this with two distinct rules packages. It's not like they've been able to roll with the same formulas for all six weeks. However, it does give credence to the thought that the good teams will always be the first (and best) to adapt to rules changes.
2. Joey Logano (LW: 1): If this was the Chase, Logano's performance to scrap for a top-10 finish would be lauded as an achievement worthy of a title contender. After starting second, he survived two speeding penalties and came back for a top 10. Now, with the way that this Chase format is set up, the effort is almost an afterthought. Logano's in the Chase. All he needs to do is remain in the top 30 to make it. Of course, that's the simplistic view, but it also serves as an example of how not to overlook teams making chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what early in the year.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (LW: 4): Why wasn't the Chase format seen as the primary catalyst for the decision to put two tires on Junior's car on the final pit stop to steal track position and perhaps a win? Because people are learning from the ridiculousness of last year at Vegas? The decision for the No. 88 crew to go for two tires was an easy one. Without it, they didn't have a shot to win, and the worst-case scenario from the pit stop wasn't very bad. After leading four laps, Junior ended up fourth.
4. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 5): A start like this is making Truex lose "Chase sleeper" status pretty quickly. If he doesn't win a race this year, the speed he's showing -- provided it continues, of course -- should be more than enough for a Chase berth. And even if he gets the crazy speed and bad luck combination that plagued Kurt Busch in the No. 78 in 2013, Truex should still be in good shape. Busch made the Chase that season despite eight finishes worse than 25th in the first 26 races.
5. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 2): Oh no, Johnson followed up a win with a tire issue. How will he be a championship contender? While Johnson had a fast car -- he was leading at the time he first started having issues -- his Vegas results show the ridiculousness of trying to figure out a "car to beat" after two races of the season. Was the No. 48 team the best team at Atlanta? Duh. But let's just all be aware of small sample sizes, OK?
6. AJ Allmendinger (LW: 11): Speaking of small sample sizes, it's funny that the two highest RCR cars in the points standings aren't actually RCR cars (in name). After finishing seventh and sixth at Atlanta and Las Vegas, Allmendinger is fifth in the points standings. Will this continue? With another good run at Auto Club, the evidence pointing to an intriguing season will keep mounting.
7. Denny Hamlin (LW: 9): How close was the kerfuffle between Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne from ruining Hamlin's day? We'll let him explain about the impact Edwards' car had with the right rear of Hamlin's car.
"It actually probably made my car a little bit better with the damage," Hamlin said. "It could have a millimeter worse and it would have been catastrophic for our car."
Plus, he also had a slice in the left headlight (decal) from contact on pit road. Not a bad day when you've got a car that's been dented on both sides and you still finish fifth at an intermediate track.
8. Matt Kenseth (LW: 10): Sunday was Kenseth's first race in a DeWalt-sponsored car since the final race of the 2009 season. Since then, Kenseth has had ... way too many sponsors to count, including sunglasses, multiple types of alcoholic beverages, sunglasses, Affliction clothing and even a bargain outlet. Because nothing says Matt Kenseth than buying your Affliction clothing at a bargain outlet.
9. Kasey Kahne (LW: 7): If you're ever looking to crash someone and not get caught up in it yourself, look to what Kahne did to Edwards. He cut his entry into turn one early and hit Edwards hard enough to get him to slide as he stayed away from the action. Of course, the penalties for Kahne's car wouldn't be incredibly severe had he been caught up in the accident anyway. Because of the previous contact with Edwards, he had a car that was smashed in on both sides. Still, he ended up 17th.
10. Ryan Newman (LW: NR): Newman's car resembled the one he had at Homestead over the final laps as he was charging to a third-place finish. Now he returns to Phoenix, where we all remember what happened the last time he was there. How many times will we see the replay of that throughout the race weekend? And if he's racing with Kyle Larson at any point on Sunday, how soon will it take for the incident to be mentioned?
11. Casey Mears (LW: 6): Mears hangs on to a spot in the top 12 after finishing 25th. One more finish like that and Casey won't be here next week. But he's still ahead of the three "real" RCR cars in the standings, so that's an accomplishment, even three races in. Will it happen for a fourth straight week? There's only five points separating Mears and Paul Menard.
12. Brad Keselowski (LW: NR): It was crazy how loose Keselowski's car was at times on Sunday, but the team kept working on it during every opportunity. And somehow Keselowski came home with a seventh-place finish. Not bad, eh? With the second-straight top 10, Keselowski is 17th in the standings, which speaks to how debilitating a bad finish is and how good Kevin Harvick has been.
Lucky Dog: Brian Scott finished 13th after having a hellacious Xfinity Series weekend.
The DNF: Alex Bowman suffered an engine failure 28 laps in.
Dropped Out: Clint Bowyer, Brett Moffitt
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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