As Florida takes its unlikely place as the epicenter of American sports for the next four days, we decided to do something a little different for this week's edition of Twitter Power Rankings. Instead of our typical list counting down the week's best from all over the sports world, we'll have two lists of our favorite NBA All-Star tweeters and Daytona 500 tweeters.
Next week, when Florida likely loses Dwight Howard in an inevitably unbalanced trade and returns to being best known for its elderly population and inability to conduct an election, we'll resume our normal ranking system.
Like it? Hate it? Have a new format idea or a suggestion for next week's rankings? Send it to D'Arcy Maine on Twitter. We'll give you a shoutout if we use it.
So without further ado, here's this week's Power Rankings of our favorite NBA All Stars. Feel free to RT.
(Click here here for the NBA All-Star edition.)
5. Jimmie Johnson
Followers: 135,778
Sample tweet: 'I'm with you. "@CRtwotwo NASCAR today yew! I want my guy @JimmieJohnson to win. Who y'all got!?"'
Seems only fitting to have the guy also known as 'Five Time' in our No. 5 spot. We're sure THIS makes Jimmie feel better about not winning his sixth straight title. Known for his affable nature and nice guy ways, No. 48 does little to dispel that on his Twitter account but does often make fun of other drivers and respond to fan questions, comments and even the occasional jab. Jimmie somehow finds a way to find a good balance of being a sponsor's dream and an entertaining tweeter.
4. Kasey Kahne
Followers: 117,249
Sample tweet: 'Sucks I've already wrecked two cars in half a week. Hopefully that was the last one of speedweeks'
The most infamous NASCAR tweeter thanks to his highly-publicized rant on breastfeeding, Kasey hasn't shown as much personality as he once did. But we have high hopes he'll find a way to be entertaining without completely offending all of the mothers of America in the near future.
3. Danica Patrick
Followers: 465,248
Sample tweet: 'How am I suppose to feel good about turning 30 next month when I find gray hairs (plural). Frightening stuff.'
We're pretty sure we're contractually obligated to include Danica on any NASCAR-related list. But despite that whole 'we have to include her even if she's the worst tweeter of all time' thing, she's actually *gasp* pretty good in 140 characters or less. There's probably a lesson in here somewhere. But instead of figuring that lesson out, we'll just take this opportunity to share that we've yet to find a gray hair.
2. Matt Kenseth
Followers: 47,223
Sample tweet: 'It seems thats a question only you can answer RT @Cody2488: @mattkenseth Why the heck am I following you?'
Known by many as the funniest guy in NASCAR, Matt's Twitter account doesn't disappoint. Whether he's making fun of himself or a dumb question from a follower, the driver of the No. 17 car seems generally unconcerned with his celebrity status and just likes to tweet. We get the sense Matt might not just be the funniest guy in NASCAR but also the smartest. And probably knows it.
1. Brad Keselowski
Followers: 64,087
Sample tweet: 'Took this pic of the decklid with twitter names. @DISupdates I'll send one where everyone can find their name >http://t.co/vQlyJBih
How can we not rank the driver featuring the names of his Twitter followers on his Camping World Truck Series car at the top of this list? The model of how NASCAR drivers should utilize social media, Brad is an avid tweeter who invites fans to tweet ups, unapologetically shares his opinions and tirelessly answers almost every question thrown his way. Even non-racing fans should give this one a follow. Maybe you're Twitter alias will end up plastered on the side of his next car. You can thank us later.
Fake account you need to follow this weekend: @TheOrangeCone. Ever wonder what the orange cone sitting at the entrance to pit road thinks about? Don't answer that. Just follow along and enjoy the ride. Get it? NASCAR humor.