The All-Motorsport Power Rankings: Week 39

Correspondent Written on October 13, 2009

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19 Jul 1998: Greg Moore of Team Player''s Forsythe Racing driving the Reynard Mercedes 98I during the CART - Molson Indy Toronto in Toronto, Canada. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

As Dario Franchitti crossed the finish line to win a Homestead and take the Indycar crown, his mind was not on his glory and the chance get his hands on the title and trophy for the second time in three years.

They were of his "buddy, Greg (Moore)," who was killed in a Champ Car title decider 10 years ago this month. Had that day in Fontana never happened, Moore probably would have been racing Dario, Scott Dixon, and Ryan Briscoe for the title (had he not been whisked to another series).

It was a moment when you realized not every driver is an emotionless machine, in a season that has seen more than its share of tragedy and scares.

The Power Rankings are an occasional feature on Midweek Motorsport on Radio Le Mans, every Wednesday at 8:00 pm UK, 3:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Pacific, and on iTunes for whenever you jolly well feel like it.

15: David Coulthard (India's Most Wanted)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 24: Former F1 driver David Coulthard of Great Britain walks down the paddock following practice for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on July 24, 2009 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Image

David broke the speed limit on an Indian bridge by over 100km/h during an F1 demo.

I like to imagine him being pulled over to the witty line of “Who do you think you are, son, Aryton Senna? Oh no, you’re just his replacement.”

14: Mark Winterbottom (V8 Supercars)

BATHURST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: Tim Edwards team principal for Ford Performance Racing talks with driver Mark Winterbottom after his qualifying lap during qualifying for the Bathurst 1000, which is round 10 of the V8 Supercars Championship Series at Mo

Seeing the back end of his car on fire would be much less funny if he had a different surname.

13: Paul Gentilozzi (ALMS)

Let’s analyze your weekend, Paul.

You finally raced, well done. But you still retired long before the end AND, while you were moving, managed to affect the outcome of the class title.

The only “rocket” you resembled was the one they sacrifice by smashing it into the moon.

ALMS Laguna Seca race report

12: Simon Gillett (Excuses, excuses)

NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 04: This photo illustration shows an FIA document relaying news of the change of venue of the British Grand Prix from 2010 to Donington Park , during practice for the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone on Jul

Simon Gillett and Donington are like a school child and his/her homework. Discuss.

“I’m sorry Bernie, the dog ate my backers.”

More here.

11: Michael Waltrip (NASCAR)

FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 09: Michael Waltrip, driver of the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, stands on pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 9, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

Mika Salo, Jarno Trulli and now Danica Patrick are in some sort of talks with MWR.

Michael denies having the same publicist as USF1.

10: Kamui Kobayashi (F1)

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 02: Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Toyota prepares to drive during practice for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on October 2, 2009 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Kobayashi is now pretty much assured of a Toyota F1 drive next year.

It’s not news, it’s just obvious.

9: Rubens Barrichello (F1)

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 04: Rubens Barrichello of Brazil and Brawn GP drives during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on October 4, 2009 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Ruben’s move to Williams, so it seems, is just about done.

It’s just a matter of crossing the “t’s” and dotting the “i’s”.

Well, just dotting the “i’s”, there are no “t’s” in Williams.

8: Kasey Kahne (NASCAR)

FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge, drives down pit road after a multi-car incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Rusty Jarr

“NASCAR threw a debris caution, for no debris.”

And this is news because...?

7: Felipe Massa (F1)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 25: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari prepares to drive during the final practice session prior to qualifying for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on July 25, 2009 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Tho

He’s back to his “old self” after driving a 2007 Ferrari.

Oh no! He’s got amnesia!

6: Jorg Bergmeister (ALMS)

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 4: Jorg Bergmeister drives the #45 GT2 Flying Lizards Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 during the American Le Mans Series Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg on April 4, 2009 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo

Four hours of racing, you’ve already taken the title, and you still feel the need to race that hard to the line?

Good man!

Now, before next season the world has to decide if there’s an “e” in your first name.

5: Juan Pablo Montoya (NASCAR)

FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, races Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Pepsi Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Phot

The only man to finish in the top five in each of the four Chase races so far, but at Fontana came a real sign of how far Juan has progressed in NASCAR.

4: Will Davison (V8 Supercars)

BATHURST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 11: The Holden Racing Team pose for a team photo after drivers Will Davison and Garth Tander drivers of the #2 Holden Racing Team Holden won the Bathurst 1000, which is round 10 of the V8 Supercars Championship Series at Mo

He and driving partner Garth Tander complete the V8 Supercar endure double.

Davison now with about two races of Whincup.

Bathurst 1000 report and results.

3: Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)

FONTANA, CA - OCTOBER 11: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on October 11, 2009 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Gett

No. 48 team fluffs pit stop! Knaus and pit crew are human!

Johnson still wins, so driver still an automaton.

NASCAR Fontana results

2: Dario Franchitti (Indycar)

HOMESTEAD, FL - OCTOBER 10: Dario Franchitti driver of the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda celebrates with team owner Chip Ganassi after winning the IRL IndyCar Series Firestone Indy 300 and the IRL IndyCar Series Championship on October 10,

The Indycar finale was so anti-climactic that even the post-race Ashley Judd-ism isn’t worth repeating.

Indycar race review

1: Gil de Ferran (ALMS)

MONTEREY, CA - OCTOBER 10: Gil de Ferran, driver of the #66 de Ferran Motorsports XM Radio Acura ARX-02a celebrates on the podium after winning the ALMS Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway on October 10, 2009 in Monterey, Calif

Apparently, he was so busy trying to keep the Fernandez car behind him he forgot the fact the race was his last before retirement.

So I’ll remind him.

HAPPY RETIREMENT GIL!!

Begin Slideshow

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written on October 13, 2009 Rankings/List

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