Alright race fans, we got to see the “new” short track package NASCAR has been working on all off-season last week in Phoenix. After watching the race myself and checking out NASCAR Twitter/X, it seems the opinions are mixed. Many drivers commented before the race, and even more fans commented after. Either way though, I’m not here to recap the race completely. I’m here to drop the third update to the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings and updates have happened.
Numbers Fifteen to Eleven
- 15. Joey Logano
Look out! @joeylogano and @CoreyLaJoie are involved in this accident! pic.twitter.com/ZElCr89uJP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 10, 2024
Phoenix wasn’t kind to him at all, the wreck above ended his day. I’d argue though it never started, he struggled to even crack the top twenty. We are headed to Bristol this weekend though, and Joey knows how to win at Bristol, but will he have the car?
- 14. Kyle Busch
Caution for Kyle Busch in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/gNk3tz7FB8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 10, 2024
They unloaded the car and it never got better throughout the weekend for whatever reason. Another driver like number fifteen on the list who can easily win at Bristol if he has the car under him and his crew can stay mistake-free on pit road.
- 13. Alex Bowman
Seems as though he got the bad end of the caution time line though and just never recovered. Probably should’ve been a better day for Alex. He’s not the best at Bristol either, so could we see the first of the HMS drivers fall out of the top fifteen?
- 12. Brad Keselowski
Brad must’ve heard he was about to fall out of the top fifteen of these Belly Up Sports 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings right? We will see if Brad has got his team righted or not this weekend because Bristol is a track RFK has won at, and shown a ton of speed.
- 11. Ty Gibbs
Ty showed me a lot of good racing on Sunday. Also, he led fifty-seven laps and was even able to keep his focus enough to drive back up through the field after early pit road struggles again. I’ll be keeping an eye on the 54 team for sure at Bristol.
2024 NASCAR Power Rankings Mid-Pack
- 10. Bubba Wallace
I expected Bubba to do a little better than his sixteenth-place finish. He just never was able to get the car where he wanted it I would guess. Also, I’m not sure how Bubba is going to do this weekend either considering he’s only got one top-ten finish at Bristol in ten career cup series starts.
- 9. Martin Truex Jr.
A dominant showing from start to finish! @JoeGibbsRacing becomes the first four-car team ever to have each of its cars lead 50 or more laps in a race. pic.twitter.com/w7SWwOzyX1
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 11, 2024
It was another good day for this team. He led a few laps and was able to stay in the top ten most of the day. If he’s able to do that again at Bristol where his luck hasn’t been the best, I think he would take it for sure.
- 8. Chase Elliott
Alright, I’m not sure really what to make of his day at Phoenix. He was in the top ten most of the day and seemed to have at least a good car. Then the late pit stop got him stuck back in traffic and he never recovered. Chase and his team need a good finish this week at Bristol.
- 7. Ross Chastain
Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain battle for 5th coming to the line at Phoenix 👀 pic.twitter.com/CW8pdeQlla
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 10, 2024
Whether it was pit strategy or adjustments I don’t care. He grabbed another top-ten finish when a lot of Team Chevrolet struggled to even get into the top fifteen late. Ross and the team are trending up heading into Bristol. Another driver I’ll be keeping an eye on.
- 6. William Byron
Pretty much had a similar day to Chase. He ran well all day, but got stuck back in traffic and never recovered. Sadly, for him though the guys around him just outperformed him all day. Bristol should be better than William, but nothing is a guarantee in motorsports.
The Top Five Drivers
- 5. Christopher Bell
If I was anyone else in the Toyota camp, I’d be going to Adam Stevens and trying to get some intel. This car and driver were on fire Sunday. It was just what Bell needed, and heading into Bristol with some confidence is an added benefit. This could be the BIG breakout year Christopher Bell fans have been waiting on.
- 4. Tyler Reddick
The first stage win of the season for @TylerReddick.
You know it won't be the last. pic.twitter.com/3O1aIFUzoi
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 10, 2024
Tyler and his team looked really good early again and looked to be one of the cars to beat winning stage one. He was put in the back of the field due to a late pit stop, and he just never was able to get back to the top five. Bristol hasn’t been horrible to Tyler but the non-dirt track hasn’t been great either to him so we shall see.
- 3. Denny Hamlin
😳 Around goes Hamlin! 😳 pic.twitter.com/6Ha8REqDLe
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 10, 2024
Let’s be honest if it hadn’t been for the spin late while battling for the lead. I think Denny would’ve given Bell a better run for the win. Heading into Bristol, if mistakes don’t happen on track or pit road look for Denny to be competing again.
- 2. Kyle Larson
Checkered flag from Arizona. pic.twitter.com/tYsW6bsSQi
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 10, 2024
That first pit stop happened and the issue with the rear tire showed up. Kyle was stuck back in traffic in a blink of an eye. A lot like his HMS teammates had a hard time passing. He battled all day though and was able to grab a top fifteen finish. Bristol should be better for Larson if nothing unexpected happens.
- 1. Ryan Blaney
Proud of this 12-Team for a hard fought race weekend. We worked our tails off to get stronger and we did just that. Thank you to all of our partners and supporters. pic.twitter.com/0XNl6ryMXd
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 11, 2024
You don’t always have to win to have a solid day. Ryan did just that once again at Phoenix. He grabbed stage points in both stages and ultimately finished fifth. I don’t know if history will repeat itself at Bristol for Ryan or not. However, he’s not always been one of the better drivers in the past at “The Last Great Coliseum.” This is a different Ryan Blaney though.
The White-Flag Lap
I touched on it in the opening paragraph about the “new” short track package we got to see finally last weekend. Honestly, while the racing up front was good, you could tell nothing improved. Back in the pack, the aero difficulty made it hard for a majority of the field to pass. Clean air on a short track shouldn’t be as big of a factor at least not in my opinion. The intermediate package is going to be used this weekend at Bristol, so who knows what we may see. I’ll be glued to my seat the whole race because It’s Bristol Baby!
If you’re looking for some suggestions on who to take this week in your fantasy pool, or on draft kings. You’ll have to wait a little while longer. Kaleb and I will hopefully have our driver choices pieced together and out tomorrow. I do think though you need to make time this Sunday around 3:30 PM EST to sit down and watch these cup series guys tear up the track on your local Fox channel.
Featured Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
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