As we roll into Indianapolis, it's great to see NASCAR's original network back in action.  From here on out it's non-stop racing till the checkered flag falls in Homestead.  So with the first half of the season in the books, who's hot and who's not?  Check out this week's power rankings.

20. Travis Kvapil: Making the most of his second chance, Kvapil sits 21st in the standings.  He won't make the chase, but when the hell is someone going to find this guy a sponsor?  He's had some excellent runs, and someone HAS to be noticing!

19. A.J. Allmendinger: What a difference a year makes for team Red Bull.  Ever since Allmendinger won the Sprint Showdown, he hasn't missed a race and has been running far better than he ever did last year.  Red Bull really does give you wings, in A.J's case, it also eventually gives you the power to run well every week.

18. Martin Truex Jr: Todd Berrier is reported to be joining forces with Truex next year.  Hey if you're gonna cheat, why not get the best in the business on your side?

17: David Ragan: Ragan continues to impress me, and maybe he'll find victory lane before the season is out.  At least we know David won't be the odd man out when Jack Roush has to axe one of his teams.

16. Kurt Busch: Kurt finally wins a race this year thanks to Mother Nature.  Since then he's run well and put together some decent finishes.  At least Mikey didn't win in Loudon.  Hell would be freezing over if he'd won somewhere without a restrictor plate.

15. Ryan Newman: Is it hello Newman, or goodbye Newman?  Ryan is 14th in points, and has had a less than stellar season to say the least.  He's still got time to make the chase, but the clock is ticking.

14. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer is trying to become the first driver to win both championships in a single season...unfortunately he's fallen out of contention for the one that matters most.

13. Denny Hamlin: Maybe Denny would be better off racing the FedEx truck.  Lately he's fallen off the face of the earth.  Of course maybe it wasn't his fault in Chicago, it's possible they accidentally put one of the engines in Denny's car from the All-Star race.

12. Brian Vickers: Vickers gets my vote for most improved driver this year.  He has a legitimate shot to make the Chase, and he's also becoming one of the usual suspects to win each week.  If he could just get a little luck, he may find victory lane.  Unfortunately Red Bull doesn't combat a bad hand from Lady Luck.

11. Kasey Kahne: Engine, engine #9, will you please make up your mind?  Kahne has had probably the biggest roller coaster of a season out of any driver currently in the Chase.  He started the year with 4 top 10 finishes, then fell off, then won a couple races in between another stretch of blunders.  At least he's in the Chase, which is more than you can say for his 2 teammates.

10. Tony Stewart: The defending Indy winner attempted to climb the fence at home this week to practice for a victory celebration if needed.  Then the kids ran his car into the fence with the remote.

9. Kevin Harvick: Harvick was definitely happy after Chicago, but he's still the lone RCR driver without a victory in 2008.

8. Jeff Gordon: Gordon sits 6th in the points, but only once since his first career win has he gone longer into the season without making his first triip to victory lane.  That was in 2002 when his first win of the season came in the Sharpie 500 under the lights at Bristol...and yes I had to look that one up.  Gordon is the winningest active driver at Indy, and that may be what the doctor ordered for the 24 team.

7. Greg Biffle: The Biff has lost races every way imaginable this year, yet he's somehow still solidly in the Chase at this point.  He's lucky all those speeding tickets haven't caught up to him.

6. Jeff Burton: Burton is still 3rd in points, but has hit a rough stretch.  Luckily for him he's still almost 400 points ahead of that Jack Daniels teammate of his in 13th.

5. Matt Kenseth: After Richmond it looked like Kenseth was down and out.  Since then he's moved up 14 positions and returning to form.  The only thing he hasn't done yet this year is win a race, but I'm sure that will come in due time.

4. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson almost had it won in Chicago, but couldn't hang on for the final 2 laps.  He's still in much better shape than he was earlier in the year when he was out of the Chase completely.  I think Cale Yarborough's record is safe as it stands right now, but Johnson will still be in the chase without a doubt.

3. Carl Edwards: Carl is almost locked into the Chase currently.  Contrary to all beliefs, he's done this all without the help of that duck.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr: He may only have 1 win so far in 2008, but there's no question he's been the crown jewel per se for HMS this season.  It's amazing what you can do when your car lasts the entire race, ain't it, Teresa?

1. Kyle Busch: 7 wins, a 261-point lead, and an ego bigger than Mount Everest all remain atop the rankings.  Shrub finished 10th at Indy in 2005, 7th in 2006, and 4th a year ago...noticing a pattern?  Right now the rest of the field is asking "is it Richmond yet?"