Team Honda Muscle Milk's Justin Barcia (Photo: Feld Motorsports)

6. Justin Barcia (Last Week: 5 / -1)

Barcia had a strong run going into Arlington, but couldn’t make things happen last week. A big crash in the heat race might have affected him a bit, because I was surprised to see him not get by Brayton in the main event. Atlanta is essentially a home race for Barcia and he’s won there the last two years on a 250. I’m sure this is a weekend he’s had circled on his calendar for a while.

7. Andrew Short (Last Week: 8 / +1)

The veteran is just making things happen. 'Shorty' has been consistent since starting his own team and probably has performed better than most would have expected given the true privateer status of the effort. Now, he’s the newest face at BTO Sports KTM, which is a factory-supported squad. Short didn’t get along very well in his first foray aboard the orange bike a couple seasons ago, but given the way his season has gone up to this point, this is probably a huge boost in his confidence moving forward.

8. Justin Brayton (Last Week: 9 / +1)

Brayton looks to be getting better each week. The season got off to a slower start than he would have hoped, but now Justin looks like he’s hitting his stride, posting his best finish of the season in Dallas in fifth. He’s slowly but surely working his way up in the championship as well as in the power rankings.

9. Broc Tickle (Last Week: 10 / +1)

While Tickle may have dropped out of the top 10 in points last weekend, I still think he’s making strides after a slow start for RCH. This is factory equipment that Broc is riding and I’m sure he is expecting more out of himself given that. For Tickle, it’s about progress and with three top 10s in the last four races, that’s the kind of upward movement he needs to build his confidence and maybe challenge for a spot inside the top five. If he can stay out of trouble, Tickle should be able to keep this going.

10. James Stewart (Last Week: 7 / -3)

Stewart was unable to even line up on the starting gate for the main event in Dallas after a broken clutch ended his night. The evening looked like it was lining up to be one of the best for the future hall of famer, only to have it end before things even had a chance to really start. To say this season has been one of heartbreak for Stewart would be an understatement. He’s being put to the test both mentally and physically perhaps more than ever in his career, but still fights through it and has proven that the speed is still there. I can only imagine what a win or at least a solid podium effort would do for this team and its rider right now.