The Lowe's 150 Race Preview:
Today, the series returns to Indy, for what figures to be the last race before the new rules package goes into effect. No one knows what to expect after this weekend, so everyone will probably be looking for a really high finish at this familiar track. Expect to see a lot of HMS vs Ford at the front today, as their teams have combined for 9 of the 12 Sprint Cup wins at this track. The other 3 race wins belong to drivers that no longer race in the Sprint Cup.
GTP Sprint Cup Power Rankings - After the Southern 300:
1.
RFLX_Niop - Niop won his second straight race, snatching victory from RedPartyHat on the last lap of the Southern 300. For Niop, this was his first career grand slam race win, joining a short list of drivers that includes Mule, Joe, ACDC, and Droptop. Niop is the only driver to start all 4 races and finish well in all 4 races, so he's already starting to run away with the regular season points championship.
TRENDING:
UP
2.
MULE_9242 - Mule put together a decent finish at Darlington, which was more than enough to maintain second overall in points. Mule is looking to make up for some bad finishes that came after good runs at Indy last season.
TRENDING:
STEADY
3.
JoeOfTheFire - Joe ran very well at Darlington, and appears to be back on track after missing a race two weeks ago. Look for Joe to run well this weekend, and solidify his place in the top 5 in points.
TRENDING:
UP
4.
RedPartyHat - Red nearly won the Southern 300. He came up just short, despite winning the pole, and leading the most laps. It was a heartbreaking way to lose the first ever running of our fourth Grand Slam event. I'm sure Red will be looking to back up his first really strong run of the season with another strong run today at Indy, where he put his car on the podium to end season 3.
TRENDING:
UP
5.
Spurgy777 - Spurgy was running well at Darlington, but a few incidents knocked him down the final order a few spots. With two more road course events left in the regular season, you have to think his first career win is coming soon.
TRENDING:
STEADY
6.
Droptop2001gt - Just when Drop thought he had gotten through his worst race of the season, he followed it up with another terrible finish. He got caught up in Tom's spin early to lose the lead pack. He followed that up with an idiotic decision to stay out to try to lead a lap that not only failed to lead a lap, it cost him another lap in lost time. He never made up that time in the last 180 laps and finished next-to-last. Indy couldn't come soon enough for this guy.
TRENDING:
DOWN
7.
Carbonox - Carb had a little bad luck at Darlington, but a decent finish considering the circumstances. His team isn't showing up enough to help him, but he's still in the Chase as of this moment. Can he make up some ground today so that he doesn't fall out of the Chase during the longer races still scheduled?
TRENDING:
UP
8.
ACDCROCKS123 - Is it already time for the annual disappearance of ACDC? I'm sure Niop hopes not. The rest of the drivers outside the Chase are probably hoping so, because he's still occupying a Chase spot, despite two missed races.
TRENDING:
DOWN
9.
Knelly - Knelly is getting back in the swing of things, and will be looking to move into the Chase at Indy, where Knelly has won in the past, and figures to run very well today.
TRENDING:
UP
10.
MattyMc1996 - Matty had a decent run at Darlington, but fell out of the top 8 positions in points. Can he get back up there today? If he can run as well as teammate RPH, I think he can do it.
TRENDING:
STEADY
Also considered: Tom_97_COD, Furinkazen
Previous Power Rankings:
Pre-Season
After Race 1
After Race 2
After Race 3