Sprint Cup Power Rankings - Phoenix

1. Jeff Burton - He maintains the points lead after finishing a solid 6th on Sunday.

2. Kyle Busch - If it weren't for mechanical failures and possibly his head, Busch would probably still be the points leader. The mechanical issues will be solved and after showing a lot of patience on Sunday, Busch showed that his head is all right.

3. Carl Edwards - He's proven that he can dominate on the 1.5 mile tracks, but the flat tracks are unknown. This Saturday night in Phoenix, Edwards will have an opportunity to show everybody what his flat track program is like, and if he can run well there, you have to say he's the early favorite to win the Cup.

4. Tony Stewart - Ended Sunday's race with another top-10 finish. I'm sure he's just biding his time before he goes his usual summertime streak of two or three wins in a row.

5. Kevin Harvick - He had to deal with a bad car on Sunday, but his team never gave up and Harvick was able to manage an 11th place finish.

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Jr. finished 12th on Sunday, and this season - unlike last year - 12th isn't so good. Expectations have really changed for the 88 team this time around.

8. Jimmie Johnson - Johnson finally does well at a 1.5 mile track this year. The question, though, is whether or not he can maintain this short burst of momentum into Phoenix this weekend. I think he can.

9. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin now has four top-10s in his last five races, and it looks like he's starting to return to form.

10. Jeff Gordon - The 24 team was absolutely clueless in Texas, and for just the second time in his 16-year career, Gordon finished dead last. I expect this team to rebound on Saturday night, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they struggle a little bit.

11. Ryan Newman - Okay, so maybe Newman should be a bit higher than the likes of Gordon after his fourth place finish on Sunday, but Gordon didn't fail post-race inspection like Newman did. Expect possible penalties to be announced later this afternoon.

12. Greg Biffle - He deserved to finish a lot higher than he did, if it weren't for a blown engine. I think a rebound is inevitable as Roush Fenway Racing has been running strong all year, so far.

Aaron Larsen