Better late than never is what I was always told. So, why not the day of the Bristol night race to drop some pre-Bristol NASCAR Power Rankings? I will be changing the format a bit this week and probably for the rest of the playoffs due to the increased performance of each driver. This means I want some feedback from my readers on how they feel about the new format.
NASCAR Power Rankings #15 to #6
- 15. Ross Chastain
He finished thirteenth last weekend, it wasn’t a great day but it wasn’t a horrible one either. Tonight is going to be a long race which Ross is going to need starting 23rd.
- 14. Kevin Harvick
Kevin showed speed early and was almost able to grab a top-ten finish. He starts 21st tonight, but this is the best driver and crew chief combo for working on their car throughout a race!
- 13. Joey Logano
A good call on late pit stops secured him a top-five finish at Kansas but I didn’t like the speed in the 22 car I saw early.
- 12. Chase Elliott
He ran up front and led some laps at Kansas. Plus never complained about the car, I just don’t think overall they had the same speed as the Toyota camp cars did.
- 11. Bubba Wallace
Another strong performance for Bubba early being one of the best in his manufacturing camp until a tire going down ended that top-five run. Can’t fault the driver for something he had no fault in so no drop for Bubba this week.
- 10. Christopher Bell
I can’t lie it is pretty cool to have witnessed someone win three consecutive pole awards.
- 9. Brad Keselowski
Brad and his Ford teammate Ryan both had solid days at Kansas. They just had the unfortunate circumstance of being in front of the race winner in these rankings.
- 8. Ryan Blaney
Again like just mentioned, solid run but right now it is going to take more than solid to gain any positions in these power rankings. Especially since everyone has turned up their performance levels.
- 7. Tyler Reddick +2
The biggest mover in the lower ten drivers on the NASCAR Power Rankings. He’s up two positions and locked into the next round of the playoffs after winning at Kansas.
- 6. Kyle Busch
I almost bumped him into the top five. Especially after starting 35th and driving this car to a seventh-place finish. If Rowdy can be Rowdy at Bristol tonight watch out top five!
The Top 5 for this Week!
- 5. Martin Truex Jr. -2
The biggest fall for a driver this week, but it’s been coming. He has not finished in the top ten for three weeks now. Which is not a good way to start the playoffs. They need to turn the ship around starting tonight. Hopefully, no ill luck is attached to this team rolling off tonight.
- 4. Denny Hamlin +1
He might’ve benefitted from his teammate’s poor luck but take it when and where you can right? Denny finished second last week and is looking to capitalize on that performance.
- 3. Kyle Larson +1
After winning at Darlington, he followed up at Kansas with a top-five finish. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again it’s Kyle Freaking Larson, don’t ever count him out until he is for sure out.
- 2. Chris Buescher
Chris had speed early and probably would’ve grabbed another top-ten finish had it not been for a tire going down. I didn’t punish Bubba for something out of his control and I sure as heck am not going to punish Chris.
- 1. William Byron
A mixture of late cautions and different pit strategy calls probably hindered him from finishing a little better but William kind of had a quiet race at Kansas. I expect a different story tonight under the lights at Bristol.
Quickly Wrap This Up
These drivers on the NASCAR Power Rankings, take on one of my personal favorite tracks in Bristol tonight. Tempers typically get hot and often on the high banks in northeastern Tennessee. If you’re looking for some last-second picks, take a gander at any of these fifteen drivers. I say that because at Bristol anything can happen.
I will be sitting on my couch tonight at 6:30 tonight when the green flag is expected to drop on the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on USA Network!
Featured Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images
If you love NASCAR make sure you stay with us here. You should also check out the newest Belly Up Media Network addition, in The B & B Show. The word is they talk an awful lot about NASCAR. Heck, for all your other sports needs, follow the main page. If you love racing of any shape or form, find me on Twitter, and let’s talk!
