NASCAR Power Rankings: California

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Jimmie Johnson — Johnson is back in the points lead after a commanding performance in California, leading the most laps en route the victory in the Pepsi 500. Johnson now leads Mark Martin by 12 points.

"The No. 48 Chevrolet was strong all day," Johnson said, "and we reclaimed the points lead. Call it a 'reclamation' point with an exclamation point!"

"It seems to me," Johnson said, "that these so-called 'debris' cautions are just NASCAR's sneaky way of making a boring race just as boring, except with more crashes. But debris cautions, phantom or not, don't matter. It's become apparent that no matter whom I face, whether it be 42 other drivers, NASCAR inspectors, or trigger-happy flag stand officials, that there's no 'sLowe-ing' this team."

2. Mark Martin — Martin finished fourth in the Pepsi 500, only three places behind Jimmie Johnson, but far enough back to see his 18-point lead in the points turn into a 12-point deficit.

"I can't be unhappy with a fourth-place," says Martin. "And I'm not displeased that I'm second in the points. Second is a place I'm plenty familiar with. Heck, I'm 50-years-old; there is no virgin territory left in my life."

"I'm incredibly pleased with the equipment here at Hendrick. My No. 5 Chevrolet has been practically perfect, and it runs so smooth it's almost like riding on coattails."

3. Juan Montoya — Montoya led 78 laps, second only to Jimmie Johnson's 126, and finished third in the Pepsi 500 in California, his fourth consecutive Chase top-five. Montoya is the only driver with top-five finishes in each Chase race, and held on to the third spot in the standings. The Colombia native trails Jimmie Johnson by 58 and Mark Martin by 46.

"Is NASCAR ready for a foreign-born champion?" Montoya said. "Well, were they ready for a foreign-made car? Not until they put an American behind the wheel."

"I think if I win the Cup, you'll see American fans in a 'His-panic.'"

4. Jeff Gordon — For the second straight week, Gordon scored the runner-up position, following Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson across the line at Fontana, as the Hendrick contingent occupied three of the top four spots. Gordon now trails points leader Johnson by 105.

"Two straight runner-ups," Gordon said, "and I still lose ground to the leader. I can't win for losing."

"Now, once again, everyone is all but awarding Jimmie Johnson the Sprint Cup championship. And, with Charlotte and Martinsville up next on the slate, it's looking good for Jimmie. But not so fast.

"Jimmie may be trying his hardest to win the Cup, but NASCAR is trying just as hard to keephim from winning it. NASCAR can always play the inspection card, especially since they warned Johnson earlier that they are watching. As we all know, concerning the No. 48 car, NASCAR has been known to be an inspection stickler."

5. Tony Stewart — Stewart overcame a late pit road speeding penalty to finish fifth, his recovery helped in part by some late-race accidents that allowed him to gain several positions. Stewart remained fourth in the point standings, 84 behind Jimmie Johnson.

"I think we did the best we could considering the penalty and the competition," says Stewart. "It's really tough holding your speed on pit road in the heat of the battle. And you know me. I hate drive-through penalties on the track almost as much as I do at Burger King, where a drive-through penalty means the clerk forgot to bag one of my two Whoppers, and I'm forced to drive back around."

6. Denny Hamlin — During a restart on lap 190, Hamlin, starting in front from the outside, dove in front of Juan Montoya's No. 42, clipping the Dodge and sending Hamlin spinning into the infield grass. Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota hit the outside pit row wall, and the damage sent him tumbling in the standings. Hamlin finished 37th, and fell three places in the point standings to ninth, 219 out of first.

"I'm not too proud to admit a mistake," Hamlin said. "As much as I'd like to blame Brad Keselowski, I can't. The accident was my fault. In my haste, I laid waste to my Chase chances."

"I cut Montoya off. You know, before the Chase began, I was riding a wave of momentum, so much so that I was ready to cut to the Chase. Now, after the accident, I'm cut out of the Chase."

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