Well, that was a short stay atop the NBC Sports NASCAR Power Rankings for Martin Truex Jr.
Truex was No. 1 last week but plummets to a tie for eighth this week.
Pocono winner Kyle Busch is back atop this week’s rankings – by unanimous vote – followed by Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski, who was not ranked last week.
Dropping out of this week’s rankings are Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Here’s how this week’s Power Rankings shape up:
1. Kyle Busch (40 points): Back where he belongs after his fourth win of the season.Last week: tied for 2nd.
2. Chase Elliott (35 points):On the best run of his Cup career with five consecutive top-five finishes. The No. 9 team has established championship-level consistency.Last week: tied for 2nd.
3. Brad Keselowski (29 points):Has a win and a runner-up within the past three points races. Only car to finish in the top five of every stage at Pocono. Last week: Not ranked.
4. Joey Logano (27 points): Six top 10s in the past seven races. May not be long before this team wins again.More wins would certainly help but can’t fault the No. 22 team’s title defense. Last week: 4th.
(tie) 5. Clint Bowyer (15 points): Turns 40 as he matures into Stewart-Haas’ most consistently good finisher.Has seven top 10s in the last nine points races. He also returns to a track this weekend where he won last year.Last week: Not ranked.
(tie) 5. Erik Jones (15 points): Three top 10s in the past four points races, including a third at Pocono. Is working hard to keep his ride at JGR. A win or two could cement the deal.Last week: Not ranked.
7. William Byron (11 points): Consecutive pole positionsare themost impressive feat of his young Cup career.Alsohas three top 10s in the last four points races.Last week: tied for 9th.
(tie) 8. Martin Truex Jr. (7 points): Not his fault the engine didn’t last at Pocono.Just like last year, it’s been top five or bust (sometimes literally).Last week: 1st.
(tie) 8. Chris Buescher (7 points): Best three-race stretch of his JTG Daugherty Racing career.Last week: 7th.
10. Denny Hamlin (5 points): Nothing bad happened to him at Pocono and the result was a sixth-place finish, his best finish in the last five points races.Last week: Not ranked.
Others receiving votes: Daniel Suarez (4 points), Tyler Reddick (4 points), Alex Bowman (3 points), Cole Custer (3 points), Kurt Busch (1 point).