The NASCAR Cup Series race in “Motor City” today on USA Network around 2:30 PM EST. So, while it is last second I’ve got to update the NASCAR Power Rankings before the green flag drops. Let’s get started.
NASCAR Power Rankings: 15th to 11th
- 15. Chase Elliott
He was the best of the three HMS cars in the NASCAR Power Rankings pretty much all day at Richmond. Even when it was a lackluster day for them. He starts 10th today in Michigan and if they have the speed in the car could be a contender. Still would’ve liked to see more at Richmond from Chase.
- 14. Ross Chastain
This team, and driver enamor me more than most in the cup series. Ross starts second in today’s race at Michigan. The thing is though since his one and only win at Nashville he has only one top fifteen finish. Seems they may have some speed today, so Ill keep an eye on the 1 car and maybe he can start his climb back up the NASCAR Power Rankings.
- 13. Joey Logano
Great example of Team perseverance today with our 4th-Place finish at @RichmondRaceway . My No. 22 @shellracingus @Pennzoil @FordPerformance #Mustang started 23rd and it was a full team effort all day long to work our way to the front and bring home a Top-5 finish. Hell of a job… pic.twitter.com/6Oug890ane
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) July 30, 2023
Joey and his team are a lot like Ross for me. They’ve been extremely up and down. Either in the top ten or outside the top twenty it seems. He has the one win at Atlanta earlier this season but I don’t really want to count them out either because they some how end up in the top five when you least expect.
- 12. Bubba Wallace
Stage 1 @RichmondRaceway ✅
YOUR FAVORITE TEAMMATES ARE ONE AND TWO.
Both the No. 23 @McDonalds and the No. 45 @XfinityRacing teams have earned stage points ?@TylerReddick – p1@BubbaWallace – p2 pic.twitter.com/FCpLOhzNr8
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) July 30, 2023
It was good seeing Bubba up front leading laps, and contending for a bit last weekend. Sadly again a pit road miscue costed him. They are on the cusp of the playoff bubble. So this was much needed but a win would’ve been nicer. Now let’s see if he can keep it up and maybe steal a win if the mistake can be minamized. Who knows maybe in the playoffs?
- 11. Brad Keselowski
.@keselowski wins stage 2 @RichmondRaceway!!!@BuildSubmarines pic.twitter.com/NtvtB3V9Oo
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) July 30, 2023
Led 102 laps at Richmond, and won stage two. I’d consider that a good day for this team. Would they have liked to have won the race? Well duh, but the owner Brad K did, so at least he’s got that going for him. They are right there though and don’t be surprised to see the 6 car back in victory lane soon.
Middle of the Pack: 10th to 6th
- 10. Ryan Blaney
Our @DrinkBODYARMOR @FordPerformance #Mustang was coming around. Thank you to all of our partners and fans. pic.twitter.com/Ni1XSNKLF9
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) July 31, 2023
After two finishes outside the top twenty, I’m sure he will take a top fifteen finish to hopefully get back on the right track. He starts ninth today at Michigan let’s see if he can keep it up.
- 9. Chris Buescher
RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE CHRIS BUESCHER ON HIS CUP WIN AT RICHMOND! pic.twitter.com/G0afscDBpe
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 30, 2023
Listen if you’ve read any of these NASCAR Power Rankings posts I’ve done before this one. Then you know I’m high on this team. The whole organization honestly is on the uptick, now they’ve got one car locked in the playoffs. Let’s see what they can do even with a few races left until the playoffs start.
- 8. Tyler Reddick
Another brutal penalty: Tyler Reddick, who was running P2, gets tagged with a commitment line violation.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 30, 2023
Arguable besides Bell, has been one of the best cars on the track each week. Some how thought he always ends up getting “shot in the foot” by either himself and mistakes or the pit crew. Which is what happen at Richmond when he committed that commitment box violation with under 100 to go in the race.
- 7. Christopher Bell
Seems like he just had a bad weekend. Which happens sometimes in racing, but like I said with Reddick. This team has got to clean up there races especially if they want to contend for a championship. A pole to start the race at Michigan is a good way to start at least.
- 6. Kevin Harvick
I know he hasn’t got that infamous win just yet. He did when this race last year though. Even without a win he’s been doing what “Happy Harvick” does and that’s consistently grabbing top five and top ten finishes. It will inevitably be another race like that for Kevin it seems because he starts outside the top twenty later on today at Michigan.
New Top Five
- 5. Kyle Larson
?????????? pic.twitter.com/tJummOLlL0
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 30, 2023
The performance at Richmond for this team was honestly kind of surprising. Especially considering they won the spring race. Knowing Cliff Daniels though I’m sure he was experimenting especially with the playoffs around the corner. I’m not worried yet.
- 4. Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch to Denny Hamlin
“WHAT HAPPENED?!”
lol
Kyle on happy to have one more restart and being Chevrolet’s best in class. pic.twitter.com/8U6aaNKudw
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) July 30, 2023
Once again he falls out of the top twenty early but drove it back to a podium finish of third. Kyle and the team have three wins, say what you will but you can’t ever count Rowdy Busch out until his car is in the garage.
- 3. William Byron
??? @RichmondRaceway and @WilliamByron finishes 21st in the @LibertyU Chevy#LibertyU24
— No. 24 Team (@Hendrick24Team) July 30, 2023
It wasn’t a good day for HMS as a whole at Richmond. The thing though is that it was this teams only seventh finish all year outside the top twenty. I’m not overly worried right now about “Willy B” and the twenty four team just yet.
- 2. Denny Hamlin
This one pained me a bit, I can’t lie. I am not the hugest Hamlin fan but I can’t deny he’s on the uptick. Starts 13th today at Michigan and is riding a two week top three finish streak, let’s see what you got DH.
- 1. Martin Truex Jr.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered through 2024! ✍️#TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/GgtFO4tXvO
— Martin Truex Jr. (@MartinTruex_Jr) August 5, 2023
It didn’t look good with 85 to go or so at Richmond, especially when he went a lap down. Some how, some way and with a little bit of luck was able to bring home a top ten finish. Oh not to mention he announced he’s coming back next year to do it all again!
NASCAR Power Rankings Wrap Up
As I mentioned above we are racing today. The green flag should drop around 2:30 PM, and I expect a lot of nothing early honestly. Now could I wind up eating my own words? Well, yes but either way I’m going to be watching and enjoying the race just like every weekend. Now if you’re looking for some last second picks for the race, or your fantasy line up. Then look no further than right here!
Enjoy race day today everyone! Hopefully mother nature won’t interfere and we get to enjoy the full race.
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