NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished third at Phoenix as the field of four was finalized for Homestead. "I think the consensus is that I'm the favorite to win the Cup," Truex said. "I totally agree. I'm a big favorite of my odds to win because I like my chances."

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished second in the AAA 500 and clinched a spot in the Chase final four at Homestead. "The pressure is on for five drivers looking for that final spot," Truex said. "I'm just glad I can sit back and relax, and watch frustration boil over for other drivers. So, while they're going 'postal,' I'll be going 'coast-al.'"

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished second at Martinsville as Kyle Busch took the win. "We didn't win," Truex said, "but it was a good points day for us. And points get me very excited. You know what I get when I see my points pile up? A huge bonus."

1. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex started on the pole and won at Kansas, posting his series-best seventh victory of the season. "The phrase heard most often in NASCAR this year is 'Truex wins,'" Truex said. "I'm just hoping to add 'it all' to the end of it."

1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex crashed out at Talladega with 17 laps to go when he made contact with David Ragan, setting a chain reaction crash that victimized Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch.

Martin Truex Jr.: Truex started 17th and Charlotte, but the handling on his No. 78 Toyota finally came around at the right time, and he pulled away to win the Bank Of America 500.

Kyle Busch: Busch started second at Dover and passed Chase Elliott with two laps to go to win at Dover. "I stood for the American flag," Busch said, "but I was sitting for the checkered flag."

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional. - 1. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex won Stage 1 at Loudon and finished fifth in the ISM Connect 300. "I barely made it through Kevin Harvick's smoky wreck," Truex said. "Normally, you don't see a smokescreen like that unless it's NASCAR throwing a bogus late caution flag to cause a restart and prevent a certain driver from winning by a large margin."

1. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex started third at Chicagoland as Toyota's took the top three qualifying spot. Despite an early pit road speeding penalty, Truex recovered and took the win, securing his spot in the second round of the Chase For The Cup.

1. Martin Truex, Jr.: Truex won Stage 2 at Richmond was on his way to his fifth win of the year before a late caution flipped his fate. Kyle Larson beat Truex out of the pits and pulled away on the restart, while Truex tangled with Denny Hamlin and crashed. Truex finished 20th.