In the championship crowning race, we saw a nonfinal four driver win the race. One of the final four drivers gets knocked out due to mechanical issues, and the other three battle for the trophy. So, it was an exciting weekend of racing, let’s wrap up the 2023 NASCAR Power Rankings with one final update!
Honorable Mentions
I won’t go any further than a top fifteen list of drivers officially, but I have been ranking them all the way to twenty in my own notes. So, with that being said let’s give a few honorable mentions to drivers number sixteen and seventeen collectively.
- Alex Bowman
Before his injury, he was arguably the most consistent driver on the track. After returning though it was like I told our other NASCAR coverage guy Kaleb. Lady Luck decided she had nothing left for this team this season. He seemed to either lack the speed or be in the wrong places at the right times.
- Ty Gibbs
Ty impressed me a little bit. Not a lot considering he did have the half-season stretch before this year with 23XI Racing. Either way, though there is no doubt Ty and his team will see victory lane next season.
The Start
- 15. Kyle Busch
The season started off strong for “Rowdy” he had a chance to win the Daytona 500. Then went on to win three races this season. However, the playoffs didn’t fair as nice to Kyle hence his slide in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
- 14. Martin Truex Jr.
Another driver who had a strong regular season. Heck Martin was the regular season champion. Once the playoffs started though he was nowhere to be seen until Las Vegas when he scored his first top-ten finish of the playoffs. He grabbed one more Sunday at Phoenix, but two top-ten finishes aren’t enough.
- 13. Kevin Harvick
I think and partially know I’m correct in this thought. Kevin carried this team. The whole SHR organization was garbage mostly. The second half of the season wasn’t as kind to Harvick, but grabbing a top ten in his last start, to continue a twenty-plus race streak at Phoenix is pretty cool. Enjoy retirement Happy!
- 12. Joey Logano
Joey is Joey. He gets exactly what he can out of the car, and typically doesn’t risk anything else unless it’s for a win. He got back to consistently finishing in the top fifteen after being eliminated from the playoffs early. It will be interesting to see how next season goes for the two-time champion.
- 11. Chase Elliott
Chase, missed a few races this season due to injury and suspension. Although he seemed to have more speed than his teammate Bowman it still wasn’t enough to grab a trip to victory lane this year. After the Roval, they seemed to fall off a bit only grabbing one top fifteen finish.
NASCAR Power Rankings: 10th-6th
- 10. Brad Keselowski
This team impressed me a few times this season. Leading races, finishing in the top five a few times. RFK Racing as a whole is on the uphill climb, but even Brad will tell you that work still needs to be done.
- 9. Tyler Reddick
Tyler was a little more quiet in the playoffs than I expected. He grabbed the win at Kansas early but after that three straight finishes outside the top ten stalled the playoff run for the 45 team. Year two for this combo of driver and team has a lot of potential though.
- 8. Bubba Wallace
A career-best year, for Bubba. I do not care if you like him or not you can’t deny something clicked more so for Bubba this year. In the playoffs, he had two finishes outside the top fifteen. I know he didn’t win a race but I loved seeing the performances from Bubba later in the season to battle for his spot in the playoffs.
- 7. Ross Chastain
THE SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY, WATERMELON AND @BuschBeer! 🏁🍉🍻@RossChastain | @WWEXRacing pic.twitter.com/DhTtY53TgT
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) November 7, 2023
Atta Boi Ross! He stole the checkered flag from the championship four drivers at Phoenix. Ross started off the season strong but disappeared for a bit. The best way to start the off-season though besides winning a championship is grabbing a win.
- 6. Denny Hamlin
A mechanical issue, killed his chances at the championship this year. Before that though Denny looked to be one of the favorites for the championship. Lady Luck is a cruel mistress I think when it comes to championships Denny knows that better than anyone.
The Top Five
- 5. Chris Buescher
I wish we would have been in the Championship 4. We would’ve had a shot.
Had an issue on pit road, felt like we dropped a cylinder at the end and the car didn’t feel 100%. Still finished fifth and that is something I’m super proud of. Such a great @FastenalCompany Ford Mustang. pic.twitter.com/Bhug0gH8tT
— Chris Buescher (@Chris_Buescher) November 6, 2023
I really loved what this team was doing heading into the start of the playoffs. Unfortunately, though the fire was extinguished pretty quickly with a 27th-place finish at the second race of said playoffs. He just never seemed to show that top-five speed consistently enough to make it to the final four. Until these last two races that is, next year has the potential to be even better for this team.
- 4. Christopher Bell
"That was the first time I've ever exploded a rotor in my career."
Christopher Bell made the #Championship4, but he's OUT of the title race.
📺 : NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/NHusIpvhma
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 5, 2023
What a cruddy time to have a brake rotor blow for the first time in your career. Christopher had a solid season, two straight final-four appearances is nothing to discard. Christopher is coming into his own as a cup driver which is obviously clear now.
- 3. William Byron
We gave it everything. Hungry for more next year, we will keep refining and be better. Congrats to Ryan and his team, very deserving champions. Time for some peace and quiet 🙏🏻. Thanks for all of the support all year pic.twitter.com/FwgPBa0V0I
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) November 6, 2023
A career year for William. It was pretty cool seeing the 24 in victory lane as much as we did this season. I think ultimately having to point their way into the final four hurt them, but nonetheless William definitely one of the top three drivers this season.
- 2. Kyle Larson
P2 of the #Championship4 @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/tucg5QHMke
— No. 5 Team (@Hendrick5Team) November 7, 2023
My choice to win the championship, and he almost did win his second. However the word “almost” only counts in the game of Horseshoes. Kyle had a lot of races this year where he was either in the top five or outside the top twenty. Less of that next year and don’t be surprised to see him back in the championship four again next season.
- 1. Ryan Blaney
YOUNG RYAN @BLANEY IS CHAMP RYAN BLANEY!
HE WINS THE TITLE IN 2023! pic.twitter.com/dSoCobRoFY
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 5, 2023
When I heard Dale Jr. on his podcast say he really thought Blaney would have a chance and was even his choice to win it all I was a bit surprised. After watching Ryan though, especially when he won at Talladega something clicked, and I knew Blaney wasn’t going down without a fight. Boy, he went back out there swinging hard. Knocking a few other drivers out figuratively speaking. 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney, is the final number one driver on the 2023 Belly Up Sports NASCAR Power Rankings.
What Now?
That’s a wrap NASCAR fans. We made it through another season with a new champion crowned. The big question now is what do we do with all this time on our hands? The NFL season is about halfway done, so you could turn into those games. Or if you’re like me you will silently sulk until February. What you can and should do though for sure is stick around right here for all of your sports needs.
Featured Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
If you love NASCAR make sure you stay with us here. So 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!
