The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 24

Correspondent Written on June 30, 2009

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MIKOLAJKI, POLAND - JUNE 27: Sebastien Loeb of France and Daniel Elena of Monaco compete in their Citroen C 4 Total during the Leg 2 of the WRC Rally of Poland on June 27, 2009 in Mikolajki , Poland. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images

It's spreading like swine flu, yet this disease (sort of like swine flu actually) doesn't kill you, it just bores you into oblivion.

It's rallying.

Yet astoundingly Rallying actually had an interesting week.

Elsewhere it was the battle of the short ovals. NASCAR surprised everyone by making a trip to New Hampshire Motor Speedway worthwhile, while Indycar managed something previously thought impossible.

They made Richmond boring (and still no-one has put nipple tassles on Scott Dixon).

The Power Rankings may also be heard on Midweek Motorsport on Radio Le Mans, Wednesday night 8pm UK, 3pm Easter, 12pm Pacific, 9am for lucky blighters in Hawaii, and available for time immemorial on Itunes.

15 E.J. Viso (Indycar)

FORT WORTH, TX - JUNE 05: E.J. Viso, driver of the #13 PDVSA HVM Racing Dallara Honda, practices for the IRL IndyCar Series Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 5, 2009 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Twelfth! A good result!

We must introduce Ernesto to Kazuki Nakajima.

14 Martin Truex Jr. (NASCAR)

LOUDON, NH - JUNE 28: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #1 TomTom Chevrolet, loses control and hits wall during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, 2009 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Ch

Amid talk of his contract with Chip-n-Dale expiring Martin unveiled his future plans at New Hampshire

Touring the country as a Robby Gordon tribute act.

13 James Thompson (WTCC)

LONGFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 21: James Thompson of Great Britain waves to his fans after finishing in 3rd place during race 2 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship on May 21, 2006 at Brands Hatch, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

He’s joining Lada.

I do hope he knows my quip about Lada F1 was only a joke.

12 Jari-Matti Latvala (WRC)

MIKOLAJKI, POLAND - JUNE 25: Jari Matti Latvala of Finland and Mikka Anttila of Finland compete in their BP Abu Dhabi Ford Focus during the Shakedown of the WRC Rally of Poland in Mikolajki , Poland (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

In rallying you can crash in places where only a local farmer with a Handycam on low battery power can find you.

On the other hand you can crash infront of the entire media core, several hundred fans and your entire team.

11 Marcus Gronholm (Pikes Peak)

VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL - APRIL 02: Marcus Gronholm of Finland in the service Park during the shakedown of the WRC Portugal Rally on April 2, 2009 in Vilamoura , Portugal. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

Ahead of Marcus’ Ford powered tilt at Pikes Peak, the current course record holders’ opinion of the mountain;

Jari-Matti Latvala odds on for 2010 attempt then.

10 Gian-Paulo Dallara (F1)

SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 15: Giorgio Pantano of Italy and Campos Racing competes during the GP2 Series race held before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 15, 2007 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Ge

On the joint Dallara-Campos reaction to the budget cap (or lack of).

“We are continuing as if nothing had happened.”

Funny, so is Max.

9 Max Mosley (F1)

NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 21: F.I.A. President Max Mosley is surrounded by the media as he arrives in the paddock before the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 21, 2009 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Ima

For the love of all that is holy, and Nelson Piquet Jr., just go.

8 Sebastien Loeb (WRC)

MIKOLAJKI, POLAND - JUNE 26: Citroen C4 Total of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena went off the road in the special stage 4 Paprotki during Leg 1 of the WRC Rally of Poland in Mikolajki , Poland (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

Even I could put these rankings together. At least the Frenchman is at the top.

7 Kimi Raikkonen

NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 20: Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari is seen in the paddock following qualifying for the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 20, 2009 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

In search of a form of motorsport more increasingly tedious than F1.

Kimi goes Rallying!

6 Kyle Busch (NASCAR)

LOUDON, NH - JUNE 28: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, 2009 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Gett

Shrub’s getting blamed for the Loudon big one.

Junior nation is also collecting evidence linking him to world famine, international terrorism and the economic downturn.

NASCAR Loudon results.

5 Dario Franchitti (Indycar)

RICHMOND, VA - JUNE 27: Dario Franchitti drives the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL Indycar Series SunTrust Indy Challenge on June 27, 2009 at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Darrell Ingham

“That was an awful, awful race.”

I'm just saying what we’re all thinking.

4 Scott Dixon (Indycar)

RICHMOND, VA - JUNE 27: Scott Dixon drives the #9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL Indycar Series SunTrust Indy Challenge on June 27, 2009 at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty

Obviously over-smug after yet another win commenting on Graham Rahal’s podium.

“I think those guys have been working really hard on it.”

He also gave them a pat on the head and one of those whistling lollipop for being so brave, patronising swine.

3 Mikko Hirvonen (WRC)

MIKOLAJKI, POLAND - JUNE 28: Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen of Finland celebrate their victory on the podium after the WRC Rally of Poland on June 28, 2009 in Mikolajki, Poland. (Photo by Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images)

The most non-sensical stat of the week:

Loed has five wins, Mikko has two, yet Mikko still leads the championship.

Wait, what's that on the horizon? It's a medals system!

Rally of Poland Results.

2 Valentino Rossi (MotoGP)

MOTEGI, JAPAN - APRIL 26: Second-placed Valentino Rossi of Italy and Fiat Yamaha Team looks on from the podium after the MotoGP World Championship Grand Prix of Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit on April 26, 2009 in Motegi, Japan. (Photo by Kiy

Sublime: Taking win no.100 round the Dutch circuit of Assen.

Ridiculous:
Being touted to drive third F1 Ferrari in 2011.

1 Joey Logano (NASCAR)

LOUDON, NH - JUNE 28: Joey Logano, driver of the #20 Home Depot Toyota, celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 28, 2009 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Logano won the rain shortened ra

How apt was it that the Home Depot car that went into the Victory Lane looked like a D.I.Y. project done by lazy people.

Least glamourous job: holding the Lenox sign.

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