[Racer Duck]

The Final Rankings of 2007

There were dozens and dozens of different drivers who received votes in the 2007 Power Rankings. Their diversity was amazing – with just about every major short track series represented somewhere. In fact, only the USAR Pro Cup Series and PASS South placed two of their own in the top 10 of the prestigious rankings this time around. The battle eventually came down to a pair of young NASCAR Touring stars, as you’ll see in a minute. But even though those two drivers might have gathered the biggest trophies of the year, it was one other racer who controlled the heart strings of our panel…


Pole Position – John Blewett, III (Mods) – When an aviator is lost in battle, a missing man formation is flown in their honor. When a racer is lost, often times a pace lap or two is run with the pole position open to pay respect.

So it is only appropriate that the 2007 Power Rankings leave the pole position open for a fallen hero of the short track world. This year we lost one of the truest racers of all-time. John Blewett, III was talented, personable, feisty, determined, nasty, dedicated and just an all-around good racer. Put him in any racecar and he would put it up front. There are not many racers that can say that.

Blewett died doing what he loved, driving a NASCAR Modified. He wasn’t just driving it either, he was battling for the lead when he wrecked. JBIII was a hardcore racer right down to the end.

But John will be remembered for much more than the race he won – and he won a lot from Florida to New Hampshire and at just about every track that runs Modifieds in between. Most importantly, he’ll be remembered for doing what we loved the most about him, just being John.

See all the Power Rankings here.