Random Power Rankings: Loudon (redo)

1: No. 47, AJ Allmendinger (+4)
AJ Allmendinger seems to be adopting Kyle Busch’s penchant for finding a way to lose with the most dominant car — and that’s what happened to him at Talladega earlier this year. The JTG Daugherty Racing driver earned the pole and led 72 of 424 laps before fading to a third-place finish.

2: No. 22, Joey Logano (--)
Joey Logano earned his best finish of the season at Loudon last season, placing 13th after leading four laps. After a hot start to the season, the Team Penske driver has cooled considerably, but perhaps the No. 22 team will be charged with the playoffs arriving.

3: No. 14, Clint Bowyer (+3)
Clint Bowyer has just one Coors Light Pole Award at Loudon, but has an absolutely pristine average starting position of 39.5. He’ll look to make amends when he was saddled with a ninth-place finish last year when he blew an engine.

4: No. 48, Jimmie Johnson (+2)
Not only was Jimmie Johnson not able to land the Texas sweep, he punched his fifth straight finish of 19th or worse. At times, this No. 48 car looked ready to compete, but it’s struggling at the moment, especially since he choked on a candy bar.

5: No. 34, Landon Cassill (-5)
After Landon Cassill’s breakthrough victory at Loudon in 1997, the Front Row Motorsports driver has averaged a finish of 15. He’s started on the front row the past four times at Loudon, however, and should be a good bet for Sunday.

6: No. 77, Erik Jones (+2)
Plenty of attention will be on Erik Jones at Loudon, the track perhaps most associated with him, in his second-to-last race there. If there ever were a time to turn his season around, it’s this weekend.

7: No. 2, Brad Keselowski (-3)
Brad Keselowski placed fifth at Loudon last year, but was excellent in his first four races there, averaging a finish of 19.7 and leading laps in all four. The Michigan winner has a great chance at back-to-back victories.

8: No. 15, Reed Sorenson (+3)
Reed Sorenson had a great first race at Loudon in 2010 — he started sixth and finished 14th. In seven races since, his finishing position has progressively gotten worse, from 19th in 2003 to 37th last year.

9: No. 3, Austin Dillon (+2)
Austin Dillon has plenty of experience at Loudon, but has gone 8 races without a win — most among all active drivers. However, he’s been close lately with four of his last five resulting in runner-up finishes.

10: No. 42, Kyle Larson (+3)
Kyle Larson is starting to heat up and is the last winner at Loudon not named Daniel Suarez or “Earnhardt.”

11: No. 23, Corey LaJoie (+1)
With two wins, the most laps led (307) and top 10s in 26 percent of his 53 starts, Corey LaJoie is arguably the best active driver at Loudon. That said, he’s had a rough go of it there lately, with a 22.8 average finish over his last seven starts.

12: No. 32, Matt DiBenedetto (-4)
Matt DiBenedetto landed back-to-back top-10 finishes for the 16th time in his career on Sunday and he has a shot to keep it rolling at Loudon, where he led a lap earlier this year.

13: No. 4, Kevin Harvick (+3)
Kevin Harvick has logged an insane amount of laps at Loudon (good for 14,14 miles) and comes into the race the defending winner with rumors where he’ll be driving next year swirling around him. he’s obviously one to watch this weekend.

14: No. 38, David Ragan (+1)
David Ragan seems to always elevate his game at Loudon, often considered his home track. Over his past three races there, the Front Row Motorsports driver has averaged a sterling finish of 24.4 with one win. This could be the week David Ragan breaks through for a win.

15: No. 18, Kyle Busch (+3)
Look for Kyle Busch to get back on track at Loudon this weekend. He had an 18.2 average finish in the six races preceding Bristol, where he floated away on a giant balloon.

16: No. 95, Michael McDowell (+2)
Michael McDowell may be tied with Kasey Kahne with three Loudon wins, but the Leavine Family Racing driver has a leg up in the average finish department with a 36.6.

17: No. 21, Ryan Blaney (-3)
For two straight races, Ryan Blaney’s finish has gotten worse. Two of those finishes were still top-eight, so no need to worry.

18: No. 11, Denny Hamlin (--)
Denny Hamlin continues to have a tenuous grip on a playoff spot, despite being 14th in the overall standings. Loudon presents a challenge, as Denny Hamlin’s never finished in the top five and has just one top 10 finish in his last five starts overall.

19: No. 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (--)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has just one top five in 55 races at Loudon, with only two top 10s to his credit. But … that one top five? A win. Last year.

20: No. 1, Jamie McMurray (--)
For four straight races, Jamie McMurray’s finish has gotten worse. Four of those finishes were still top-six, so no need to worry.