The NASCAR Power Rankings list is about to be shaken up by “The Lady in Black” at Darlington. However, before she can put some of those Darlington stripes on the cars we need to see where everyone is after an AMAZING Kansas race. So, where do you think your favorite driver ended up this week?
NASCAR Power Rankings 15th-11th
- 15. Chase Briscoe
- 14. Brad Keselowski
- 13. Chris Buescher
- 12. Chase Elliott
- 11. Joey Logano
A tough break for Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 team at Kansas. That’s a penalty. https://t.co/iP5Ms7B9Rz pic.twitter.com/shJo5JJacY
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
Well, I apologize again Chase. I will no longer be choosing Belly Up drivers of the week ever for the rest of the season. Chase was riding a streak of three top-five finishes heading into Dover, sadly for him the bad luck monster struck again, and when his tire fell off on pit road at Kansas his day was effectively finished.
That’s a wrap from @kansasspeedway. Not our best day, but we’ll keep sharpening our tools and battle back next week @TooToughToTame! pic.twitter.com/vwdIUrbOWk
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) May 7, 2023
The RFK teammates will stay again this week in the rankings. While Chris was able to grab some stage points at the end of stage two, Brad had kind of a lackluster day. I’ve been high on RFK this year, with the progress they’ve been making. Hopefully, they can continue to improve and who knows maybe even climb some spots?
Checkered flag is in the air. Chase and the @UniFirst_Corp team finish P7.#di9
— No. 9 Team (@Hendrick9Team) May 7, 2023
The 2020 champion missed a few races but still has a better average finish than some of the drivers ahead of him. Another one at Kansas and even leading some laps, this team is backed into a corner of having to win to get into the playoffs so don’t be surprised to keep seeing these types of performances.
Joey rebounded well at Kansas winning stage two, and leading some laps. However, this man needs some more good races to get back into the top ten. Kaleb is high on the twenty-two car this week, and if he can start his turn around it could be this week.
Is Anyone Really Average Here?
- 10. Kyle Busch
- 9. Ryan Blaney
- 8. Kevin Harvick
- 7. Denny Hamlin
- 6. Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Busch’s day ends early at Kansas. #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/dgpyfeAouc
— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) May 7, 2023
Kyle had another horrible race this past weekend. Was it his fault? Once again no, however, I can’t keep cutting the man a break. Since leaving Richmond, Kyle has one and only one top-ten finish and that being his win at Talladega. This team has potential, but they’ve got to quit shooting themselves in the foot and getting involved in accidents due to being in the back of the pack.
12 days until we bring it back…
Excited that this year’s @MenardsRacing #NASCARThrowback honors a special hero of mine. Here’s to you, dad. (@BuckeyeBullet10) pic.twitter.com/oJbEcOs6lU— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) May 2, 2023
His sixteenth-place finish last week at Kansas is his first finish outside the top fifteen since the dirt race. Ryan has been on a tear and is hungry for a points-paying win. I don’t know if it will be this week because historically Ryan has been kind of just okay at Darlington but I feel a win coming soon.
Hey Kevin, and Kevin fans I’m sorry but I left you off the NASCAR Power Rankings list last week. Not intentionally by accident I swear! Kevin is slowly climbing himself back up in the finishing order each week. Kevin finished outside the top ten last fall here and that was the first time since joining SHR that has happened. I see that as a fluke, and for this team to be back in the top ten consistently this week especially since it is the last throwback race of Kevin’s career.
The JGR teammates, the old dogs of JGR whatever you want to call Denny and Martin it doesn’t matter. These veterans are showing that they still have it no matter how this new car drives. I was very hard on these guys early on, but each of them winning the last two weeks has brought them to the cusp of the top five.
NASCAR Power Rankings Top Five Drivers
- 5. Tyler Reddick
- 4. Christopher Bell
- 3. Ross Chastain
- 2. William Byron
- 1. Kyle Larson
The young guns of the Toyota camp, well minus two I guess. Anyways Reddick had a solid day he was always at the very least in the top twenty the whole race. Bell was having a good race as well until he just got too aggressive he claimed anyways side drafting and wrecked. These guys need to be aware though, the sharks (Hamlin, Truex Jr.) in these waters do not care if you drive the same car as them or even for them when it comes down to the final lap.
Contact between Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain. pic.twitter.com/osnKGwceYX
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
Is there really a more known name right now than Ross Chastain? This man ruffled “Rowdy Busch” early on in the race and then after some contact with Noah Gragson, his training compadre on the track was throwing punches post-race. Oh, and he also was around the top five the whole race, even leading a few laps. A win and this man is easily in the talks for numero uno.
TROUBLE AT THE FRONT! ? pic.twitter.com/wQ36qnhQxw
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 7, 2023
I know, I know, you’re not surprised. These two have swapped these spots for a few weeks now. Let’s face it though. Right now they are the best two cars. William hasn’t finished outside the top ten since Martinsville, and well Larson almost won another race at Kansas after being turned on lap five. Then turned on the last lap battling for the lead. It’s going to take a hell of a performance right now from someone else to prove to me, these two aren’t the best currently.
Lay Those Stripes Lady in Black
Darlington is a bucket list track for most race fans. Especially the throwback weekend at Darlington. However, for the drivers it’s another battle. Not with a monster though like two weeks ago in Dover. This time it’s with “The Lady in Black” and she bites back if you don’t respect her. So, who should you roll with this weekend to survive the battle, and maybe win you some money or bragging rights? Kaleb my fellow NASCAR writer, has his own opinions. Here are a few drivers I think could make tomorrow’s race a show.
Surprise, Surprise right? Kyle Larson, I know I just kissed his butt a couple of paragraphs ago. However, the proof is in the pudding. Kyle Larson in his ten-cup series starts at Darlington and has finished outside the top fifteen, once. Oh and in fifty percent of those ten races, Kyle hasn’t even finished outside of the top three!
Kaleb has a good selection, but for the sake of competition, I’m going to roll with Kevin Harvick. I touched on it earlier that in thirteen trips to Darlington with SHR, Harvick has finished outside the top ten only once. Which is amazing in itself, but I’ll do you one a bit better. In thirty total career trips to Darlington, Kevin has finished outside the top fifteen only nine times and has won three times.
As for the Toyota camp, again Kaleb is rolling with some strong choices in Hamlin and Truex. They are both on hot streaks as of late. I however am going to roll with Tyler Reddick. Tyler hasn’t been phenomenal here, however, he’s been good enough. In seven trips, only twice has he finished outside the top fifteen. He has to keep his car clean and in one piece and he easily is in contention for another win.
I’m hopeful for this race, while the short-track aero package has been a bit lackluster in my opinion. I still love a good Darlington race. This is a historic track for a reason it almost always puts on a good show. So make sure you are again watching Fox Sports One around 3:00 PM!
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