Fanhouse Power Rankings: Talladega COT

Why do I get the feeling that just finishing on the lead lap in this weekend's Nextel Cup race at Talladega will be considered a major feat?

1. Jeff Gordon - I'd bore you with stats, but that would be incredibly boring. Almost as boring as having Gordon at the top of the power rankings every week.

2. Jimmie Johnson - Ditto. The only thing keeping these two out of victory lane is "The Big One." Or any number of little ones.

3. Tony Stewart - Please let him finish in the top 3. Please let the media ask him stupid questions. Pleeeeaaase.

Everything after that is a crap shoot. Nobody has an advantage when it comes to staying out of trouble at Talladega in the COT.

Purposefully unranked for good luck. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - One of the few active drivers who knows how to find victory lane here, but Fanhouse power rankings have a way of lessening a driver's chances to win. Junior has predicted his own victory tomorrow. We don't want to get in the way of that.

4. Kurt Busch - Strategy: Don't wreck Stewart.

5. Kyle Busch - Strategy: Wreck Dale Earnhardt Jr.

6. Kevin Harvick - Strategy: Stay out of trouble.

7. Matt Kenseth - Strategy: Dodge the Ford layoffs.

8. Carl Edwards - Strategy: Stay out of trouble.

9. Jeff Burton - Strategy: Make Nationwide a good neighbor.

10. Ryan Newman - Strategy: Be the first Penske driver to win a plate race.

Long shot. Denny Hamlin - He's not great when restricted, but I picked him as my favorite to win the Chase so he better drive the wheels off that COT like he knows he can.