So, are the restart jokes about COTA gone now? Gosh, I really hope so anyways since it is now Richmond weekend that means it’s time for some NASCAR Power Rankings. I asked last week before COTA if some big movers were ahead and they definitely were. No need to delay it anymore, let’s talk NASCAR Power Rankings!
NASCAR Power Rankings: 13th-15th
- 15. Martin Truex Jr.
- 14. Daniel Suarez
- 13. Brad Keselowski
Martin had a decent day at COTA but unfortunately got caught up in someone else’s problems. So, a bad finish is what he took home from Austin, Texas. Ironically enough a lot of your veteran drivers kind of struggled at COTA. Richmond has been won before by this 19 team so this week could be the week Martin has been waiting on for a while.
Daniel had a good race going until on one of the last three restarts he was taken out by Alex Bowman due to a bump from Ross Chastain. So, ultimately his teammate may have cost him this week. Heading into Richmond I’m a bit worried about Daniel’s standings. He’s historically kind of “okay” at the short track so if someone like Austin Cindric or Martin Truex shows up this weekend we could see only one Trackhouse Racing car in the top fifteen.
Rolling ? pic.twitter.com/fGxUyiSUpb
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) March 31, 2023
Brad is honestly probably just happy to be done with COTA. It was a horrible weekend for him, however, I think the potential has already been shown, and wouldn’t be surprised to see the six-car running strong or at the very least in the top ten.
The Interesting Group
- 12. Chris Buescher
- 11. Denny Hamlin
- 10. Ryan Blaney
While partner Brad Keselowski had a horrible weekend Chris was on the opposite end of the field finishing in eighth. This team finished third last fall at Richmond, so it will be interesting to see if they can start to build even more on the momentum leaving COTA.
@dennyhamlin will have to start from the tail for short cutting the esses. He’s also coming down pit road for a flat tire.
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 26, 2023
Another veteran who just is probably happy to be out of Austin, Texas. Denny didn’t have a fun time at COTA but I expect him to bounce back this week. He’s won here multiple times and most recently last spring. Plus I don’t think Denny enjoys being the third-best Toyota driver right now.
Ryan isn’t the best road racer, and he’ll tell you that I’m sure. However, his performance at COTA did hurt him this week just due to the performance of some big movers ahead of him. If he can get back into those top ten finishes starting this weekend at Richmond Ryan could climb back up the rankings.
9. Tyler Reddick
Holy freaking speed right? I mean he absolutely put on a clinic at COTA last weekend. His performance there alone warranted the jump. Plus, if you go back I’ve been telling you for a few weeks now that with some good luck, this was going to happen. Now Richmond is an okay track performance-wise for Tyler but he absolutely can contend for a win, or at the very least a top five. Just a bit more consistency and Tyler is contending with Bell for the top driver in the Toyota camp.
8th to 5th NASCAR Power Rankings
- 8. Joey Logano
- 7. Kevin Harvick
- 6. Christopher Bell
- 5. Alex Bowman
Joey’s performance this week will be interesting to see at Richmond. Before COTA even with winning at Atlanta the Ford camp has been a step behind speed-wise. If they show up to Richmond with some newfound speed then Joey will be fine but if the car isn’t under him, I’m afraid Joey could start to slide down further.
Kevin somehow managed a top-fifteen finish last weekend, being one of the very few veterans who did have a decent day. Tire wear or the lack thereof threw a wrench in a lot of plans teams had so unfortunately bad strategy got Kevin the average finish. However average this year has gotten Kevin through and that’s okay.
Christopher Bell was the victim of someone else misfortunes last weekend at COTA. I think he rebounds very well at Richmond and starts to work his way into the conversation for a higher position. Especially with the Bristol dirt race coming up.
Alex was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Hendrick appeal hearing this week jumping from the lower end of the top fifteen in points back to first. Once again Bowman finished in the top three somehow. He’s always there at the end of these races. So, you definitely need to watch him at Richmond.
The Final Four
- 4. Kyle Larson
- 3. Ross Chastain
- 2. Kyle Busch
- 1. William Byron
Larson’s showing at COTA didn’t help him this week, especially with the way Ross and Kyle Busch performed. Honestly it kind of surprised me to see Kyle not perform as well. However, he did finish in the top fifteen and Richmond is a place where Kyle hasn’t been great but he’s easily capable of coming out of Richmond with a top-five or ten finish.
Ross again had some questionable moves coming back to the front after getting spun. However, the results are what pays the bills and he got a top-five finish. His top-five finish this week is what jumped him back into the top five. Onto Richmond for Ross, and let’s see if he can finally find a way to jump into victory lane.
Rowdy took a car that wasn’t fast enough to win last week and came away with a second-place finish. Kyle Busch will do what Kyle Busch does and wheel a car to almost winning is typically just that in my opinion. So, let’s see if Kyle can go and grab another victory or at least make things interesting again this week.
I mean did you really see a change coming? Especially after the way Byron and Reddick raced for the lead the way they did for most of the race. William has been on a tear this year and I don’t know when that tear is going to end. So as for now, he remains at the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings.
Looking Toward Richmond
If you’re looking for a new Belly Up driver of the week this week. I’m afraid I’m going to let you down a bit. Corey Lajoie again finished in the top fifteen at COTA. Somewhat honestly amazed me because Corey hasn’t been historically great at road racing. I’m rolling with Corey one more week to see if maybe he can will his way into the top fifteen in power rankings.
Now if you need some last-second drivers to watch well let me direct you over here. Honestly, Kaleb has it spot on the only choice I might be weary of is maybe Martin. That is only because of just his lack of great performances this year and bad luck. However I do know that he can win here so, Kaleb has provided you with solid options. I’m ready for three weeks of short-track racing and I hope you all are! Until next week race fans!
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