Alright, since I’m not Jeff Gluck I won’t ask you what you thought about the race we saw in Austin, Texas. However I will say this, it was a bit boring. Plus don’t get me started on the broadcast. Anyways let’s update the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings before we go back to some good ole short-track racing in Virginia.
The Bottom Of The Barrel
- 15. Brad Keselowski
The downward slide for “Bad Brad” continues. He was a back liar most of Sunday’s race. Due to some pit strategy, he was able to grab some points at the stage two conclusion. If I’m a Keselowski fan, I would hope for an “okay” type of day this weekend. Other wise another veteran will be falling off the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings.
- 14. Chris Buescher
He’s warming up. He was able to grab another top-ten finish last week and was in and around the top ten most of the race. After the struggles of his boss/teammate, it was very much needed. Heading into Richmond where Chris has won in the next-gen car recently.
- 13. Joey Logano
We have liftoff! š pic.twitter.com/ToqY2IGpIi
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 24, 2024
Two weeks since his last top ten, and was able to grab an 11th-place finish. This season hasn’t been great thus far for Joey. In the last six Richmond races though he has the fifth-best finishing average among active drivers.
- 12. Bubba Wallace
No change in rankings this week for Bubba. I thought it was a very up-and-down race for the driver of the twenty-three car. He rallied after early issues to grab a top-fifteen finish on a road course where he was yet to finish a complete race. Bubba’s best finish at Richmond is twelfth though so not as much confidence heading into the race this weekend in this car.
- 11. Chase Elliott
The sport’s most popular driver has been, well average to put it nicely. I’m not sure what the issue is with the 9 team. Whether it be the driver’s mindset, or somehow still learning the next-gen car. Either way, they need to get it figured out, and headed in the right direction. Start it at a place where HMS has twelve victories as a team.
2024 NASCAR Power Rankings Mid-Pack Drivers
- 10. Alex Bowman
š is out at COTA! @Alex_Bowman and the #Ally48 team had a strong day, finishing P4. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/xGF3q07Exd
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) March 24, 2024
Props to Alex. He showed a lot of skill having the performance he did one week prior in Bristol. Then he switched gears, went to COTA, and showed out. I have to agree with our fellow Bowman fan Kaleb, and say if this team gets better at qualifying watch out.
- 9. Ty Gibbs
He just got out ran by William at COTA. In that case, there isn’t much you can do. I’m again impressed with the youngster. Let’s see how he performs this weekend when everyone is starting to set higher expectations for him. Especially with the speed the Toyota camp as a whole has shown this season.
- 8. Martin Truex Jr
This man persevered once again. They had early issues shattering the wheel itself on the car. They battled back though and grabbed stage points in stage two and a top-ten finish. I think he will be one of the early favorites this weekend at Richmond and I have no reason to disagree.
- 7. Ross Chastain
Led some laps in our @WWEXGroup @TeamChevy Camaro and stayed in the mix up front but couldnāt close out the deal. Weāll take P7 but we know when can put the No. 1 in VL here soon! Thank you @TeamTrackhouse for the great car, weāll be ready to ride in Richmond. pic.twitter.com/0PICfTvmgQ
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) March 25, 2024
I halfway expected what Ross did on Sunday. He contended for the lead and even led for a little while. If he has a contending car this weekend under him he could be a solid sleeper choice to watch.
- 6. Tyler Reddick
Honestly, I could label Tyler as 5b and William as 5a right now. Tyler looked fast early but just got outrun by the faster car. Tyler is easily a top-five driver though on any given week. I’m not so sure I want to ride with him this week though just considering he’s never had a great finish at Richmond.
The Top Five
- 5. William Byron
William Byron wins at COTA! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/VmzGyQRwnD
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 24, 2024
This driver and team kicked everyone’s butt at COTA. I mean there isn’t any other way to put it. He should be a contender this weekend as well.
- 4. Kyle Larson
Rollercoaster weekend for Kyle Larson at COTA š¢#NASCAR #COTA pic.twitter.com/cCJpnbolTs
— Sportskeeda NASCAR (@NASCARatSK) March 26, 2024
He won Saturday in the Xfinity Series by being patient and a good call by the crew chief. I think we’ll know early in the weekend if they’ve got the car. If Kyle Larson does though early this could become a snooze fest.
- 3. Christopher Bell
Kyle Busch is not happy with Christopher Bell. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oRVjHJokj3
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 24, 2024
He rallied to a second-place finish and pissed off Kyle Busch in the process. I like the momentum Bell has been showing recently but I don’t like Rowdy Busch as an enemy. If he can stay away from Kyle I think Christopher should be contending once again for the win.
- 2. Denny Hamlin
.@dennyhamlin gets his FIRST stage win of 2024!
šŗ: FOX | š²: https://t.co/oWWAut6pxx pic.twitter.com/ZC8mIPal21
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 24, 2024
It was a quiet day for Denny and his team. They didn’t have a great car, and knew it but made the best out of what they had. He won stage two and grabbed a top-fifteen finish at the end of the day. Now he gets to head into his home track and most likely if history repeats itself: dominate.
- 1. Ryan Blaney
We were able to get some stage points and showed flashes, but we will keep fighting to get better. Thank you to all of our partners and members of the 12-Team. On to Richmond. pic.twitter.com/pQRsFZsPjF
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 25, 2024
I know he didn’t win, or even finish in the top ten. However for a guy who’s not really good at road courses an eleventh-place finish is pretty good. Not to mention, I doing these power rankings take notes throughout the race. This week all they did was start outside the top twenty, grab a second-place finish in stage two, and then work his way back up to almost a top ten. The defending champion is showing everyone why he is wearing the crown currently.
The White Flag Lap
I thought, for some reason last week when I was updating the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings that COTA would be a good show. I was sadly mistaken especially compared to the other races we’ve had this season. However, we are headed back to the great state of Virginia. If we can have anything close to the show we saw at Bristol this weekend at Richmond it will be a good weekend.
We're ready to light it up, Richmond!#ToyotaOwners400 pic.twitter.com/dZwFuiE5ig
— Richmond Raceway (@RichmondRaceway) March 25, 2024
Now once again, if you are looking for some solid picks then you are in the wrong spot. You need to check out the racing section for mine and Kalebs “expert” picks. I will say this though, the Toyota camp has looked so fast each week this season but William Byron showed us something. That something is that you can never count out one of the HMS cars. I’ll be tuned in even after a busy Easter Sunday, to my local Fox channel around 7:00 PM EST. Will you be joining me?
Featured Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
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