NASCAR Power Rankings: Richmond sets stage for Daytona

One more race in the regular season remains. We have a new order in the NASCAR Power Rankings after Richmond. Drivers are starting to make moves for the end of the season and preparing themselves to make playoff runs. The next 11 weeks will decide the NASCAR Cup Series champion. Who makes it to Phoenix? […]

Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

One more race in the regular season remains. We have a new order in the NASCAR Power Rankings after Richmond. Drivers are starting to make moves for the end of the season and preparing themselves to make playoff runs.

The next 11 weeks will decide the NASCAR Cup Series champion. Who makes it to Phoenix? Who is going to be booted early? There are a lot of questions ahead of us.

The NASCAR Power Rankings have the same leader. But there has been a little bit of movement throughout he top-10. Let’s get into it and prepare for Daytona this weekend.

1. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-)

That second win of the season is coming soon. Ryan Blaney has finishes of P8, P7, P4, P6, and P3 in the last five races. In that time, he has a pole and two stage wins.

No, he hasn’t had the race win. But with Daytona, Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol in the next month, I think he has a great chance of getting there.

2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

An average day for William Byron, but he clinched the regular season championship. So, he moves up in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Those 15 bonus playoff points will be a major factor.

Byron has struggled with consistency. Let’s see if that changes going into the playoffs.

3. Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Chase Briscoe
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In the last two months, Chase Briscoe has been the definition of consistent. His results have been strong, and his speed remains elite in qualifying.

Briscoe does have problems maintaining his speed in the races. However, he has looked great lately, and despite a P13 finish, he’s one of the best in the Cup Series right now.

4. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (-)

Another driver that has been on another level lately is Bubba Wallace. His loose wheel on pit road cost him a shot at the win, but Wallace led the most laps, won Stage 2, and had the fastest lap at Richmond.

Since winning at Indianapolis, Wallace has been fantastic. Could he pull off the win at Daytona that he has been so close to getting in the past?

5. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+3)

For a solid P10 finish, Denny Hamlin moves up three spots in the NASCAR Power Rankings. He had two rough weeks, but that is likely behind him at this point.

Hamlin was hindered by pit road issues on Saturday night as well. The Toyota crews have been great this season, but were due for an off night. It came at Richmond.

6. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+3)

Kyle Larson
Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Another driver with a solid top-10 performance. Kyle Larson needed this badly. He has struggled to find that same speed he had prior to Memorial Day Weekend.

We know what Larson can do in this series. He is capable of winning a lot of races and doing it in a short time. Will we see him reemerge as the most talented driver in the field in the next two months?

7. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Still searching for his first win since March, Christopher Bell had a tough finish at Richmond. P21 was fine. To his credit, the prior five races had been much better.

It is a minor setback for Bell. He’s still trying to find that fourth win this season after rattling off three in a row to start the year.

8. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

You could argue that Chase Elliott has hit rock bottom. The last two weeks are the two worst finishes of he season for Elliott. He suffered his first DNF on Saturday night.

Bad luck has bitten Elliott lately. Let’s see if he can shake it for the playoffs.

9. Ryan Preece – RFK Racing (-4)

Ryan Preece
Mandatory Credit: Jamie Harms-Imagn Images

A pole award for Ryan Preece, but not much else to show for it. P35 on the night and not a lot else to show for it.

Preece has to win at Daytona to make the postseason. It is going to be a dogfight for that final spot in the playoffs.

10. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (NR)

Alex Bowman has to be on the NASCAR Power Rankings at his point. He has had great finishes going back to Mexico City.

Bowman will try to hold off any surprise winners. Could he be due for a win after helping Elliott get it done at Atlanta?

Category: General Sports