NASCAR Power Rankings: Getting ready for the summer stretch
St. Louis produced one of the most unlikely winners of the season and now the NASCAR Power Rankings have been shaken up. The fastest teams and drivers are starting to separate themselves on a weekly basis.
This week was interesting. It felt strange to go into the race without knowing if Kyle Larson is playoff eligible. However, he showed up and raced hard like he would any other week.
Coming off of the emotional weekend that was the Indy 500/Coke 600 and the fallout of the two races made Gateway feel almost like a dream. But it was very much real and Cindric is going to be a playoff driver this season.
1. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)
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I am finally moving Denny Hamlin above Kyle Larson this week in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Five straight top-5s will do that.
Hamlin now leads the series in points and top-5 finishes. Everything seems to be clicking for the 11 team.
2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)
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Even though he missed the Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Larson is still second in points and leads the series in laps led as well as stage wins.
NASCAR has not made a decision on a playoff waiver yet, but we could hear news one way or another soon. Larson could miss the postseason if the waiver is denied.
3. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing (+2)
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of hot streaks, Brad Keselowski has been on one recently. Three straight top-5 finishes including that win at Darlington. That streak extends to five in the last seven races if you go back to Texas.
Keselowski appears to have found a groove. If he keeps it up, he could be heading for a deep playoff run this year.
4. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)
Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
William Byron hasn’t been awful, but it hasn’t felt like he has had winning speed since the Texas race, maybe even his Martinsville win. P15 at Gateway, he was barely involved.
Things have slowed down a touch for Byron and this team. So, that’s why they have fallen a spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
5. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (+2)
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
I like that Tyler Reddick has bounced back after having issues in the last month or so. This time of the season is important for him to execute well if he wants to be in contention for a championship.
This is a big season for Reddick and this 23XI Racing team. A lot of expectations for the 45 crew if they can keep putting together solid runs.
6. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-2)
Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
This week Chase Elliott drops after falling outside of the top-10. This is mostly because of how well other drivers performed this week and in the last few weeks.
Elliott has a win and has been quietly really good all year. He has yet to finish outside of the top-20 this season.
7. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)
Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a run of top-10 finishes, Alex Bowman came up short at Gateway. He got cycled into the back and never did recover from it. Word is he had no brakes going around the track for much of the race.
Bowman has had consistent speed, but not winning speed. I’d like to see that change or other drivers could move over him in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
8. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Another disappointing weekend for Martin Truex Jr. He was never really in this race one way or another. P34 and he wasn’t even a DNF.
It’s been three races of poor results for Truex now. He needs to get back towards the front and soon. Sonoma is the perfect place to do that this week.
9. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)
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Another top-10 finish for Christopher Bell. He looked like he would win this race until his engine had issues with less than 20 laps to go.
Truex Jr. pushed Bell to the finish line more or less to salvage a top-10 finish. Had he won, Bell would have moved up quite a bit in the rankings. For now, he stays put.
10. Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)
Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
A decent, not great, day for Ty Gibbs. He has a pole award this season and now we are all waiting to see if he can get that first career victory.
Gibbs is a solid road course racer, he will be in the mix at Sonoma more than likely. His points and consistency on the track keep him in the NASCAR Power Rankings for one more week.
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