Alright, so it’s been an eventful couple of weeks for my family. My wife won the long race of pregnancy for the fourth time, thankfully and fully healthy. Our first baby girl though as well. Just wanted to give her some credit real quick, and a little explanation as to why there wasn’t an update to these 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings. It was a heck of a race finish at Richmond, and then we even had some eventful news drop this week regarding a regular season champion contender. So, let’s get to the latest update to the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings.
The Start
- 15. Kyle Busch
Kyle has finished in the last two weeks 12th and 4th. Also grabbing a stage win last week! It’s too late to point his way into the playoffs but with Daytona, and Darlington left if there is any time to try and gain or ride momentum it would be now. We’ll see if Daytona and Kyle can manage to agree long enough to grab another solid finish.
- 14. Ross Chastain
Michigan was looking good or at least solid and then it fell apart. Not what Ross or his team need right now when in a tight playoff bubble battle. Daytona is a free for all usually if you can survive the big one or multitudes of little wrecks. So nothing will ultimately surprise me. However, Ross needs as good a finish as he can grab, if not a win.
- 13. Martin Truex Jr.
The only driver I feel who can point the way into the playoffs. However, if he goes to Daytona and doesn’t survive long, then that could be at risk as well. Martin needs to stay out of trouble if possible and make it to Darlington with a cushion.
- 12. Chris Buescher
A solid run for Chris which is what he needed after giving up one of those at Richmond. Pit road penalties suck, but with Daytona ahead and knowing the speed this car has had recently watch for them to try and be out front early and often. However, with how Darlington went earlier this year, I think they still have a chance in the next two weeks if the cars are good enough.
- 11. Joey Logano
Since Pocono, it’s been a rough stretch for Joey. Yes, he probably should’ve at least got a top-five finish at Richmond. However, he didn’t and that’s the thing. He needs to turn it around this weekend and next, if he wants to head into the playoffs with any momentum.
2024 NASCAR Power Rankings Top Ten
- 10. Alex Bowman
Another guy who has had a rough three-race stretch as well. I think if Alex can finish Daytona and Darlington decently he can head into the playoffs with a bit of momentum. Which everyone needs before the playoffs no matter how big or small. Plus someone else who writes about NASCAR here said in a recent piece, that Alex is a bit underrated on the “restrictor plate” tracks.
- 9. William Byron
This was a much-needed race from start to finish for this team and driver. William drove the car and Rudy made good calls strategy-wise. Again as I’ve said Daytona is a free for all. However, Willy B has survived the free-for-all before and could again which would be a much long overdue win in my opinion at least.
- 8. Chase Elliott
That last restart sequence or issue he had with Ryan Blaney, was odd but he still managed to grab a top-fifteen finish to follow up on the ninth at Richmond. It should’ve been better though. I think Chase being in a tight battle for the regular season championship, goes and plays the points game at Daytona. So he can go to Darlington in hopes of grabbing his second win and that regular-season championship.
- 7. Bubba Wallace
There was nothing else he could do, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, he most likely would’ve been in the top five finish-wise had he not been. Bubba is one of the sport’s best drafting-style drivers, I think he and his team try to get upfront this weekend and stay there.
- 6. Brad Keselowski
A top five in Michigan, and then he can head to Daytona and be Brad Keselowski. He’s locked in the playoffs and can only benefit more from another win. If Brad does grab a win in these last two weeks, watch out because he’s not a veteran driver who needs any more reason to go on a streak.
Top Five
- 5. Kyle Larson
Sometimes, you just have to get out of your own way. That was Kyle this weekend. Especially since he’s still battling it out for the regular season championship as well. However, while I’m not huge on Larson this weekend, with Darlington coming up, he has the chance to win again as well.
- 4. Ryan Blaney
Ryan had a weird finish to Michigan which derailed what probably would’ve been a top fifteen finish for the reigning champ. While he’s not competing for the regular season title he still wants to defend his title. He can go into the next two weeks with confidence knowing he has the cars under him to compete for at the very least solid finishes. Maybe even one of the best-looking cars on the track.
- 3. Christopher Bell
Another guy who was involved in the accident with Kyle Larson. Before that though he was having a quiet day. Running in the top ten, around the top five even. It’s easy to say what could’ve been. However this team needs to be careful, or he risks putting himself further behind the start when the playoffs begin.
- 2. Denny Hamlin
Probably should’ve won at Richmond, then killed his day at Michigan. The news dropping of the huge L2 penalty being assessed one can assume kills his bid for the regular season championship. However, if I were a Hamlin “hater” I’d mentally prepare myself to see the eleven car and driver in Victory Lane soon. Let’s not forget too he is a three-time Daytona 500 winner so he has a little bit of experience on the high banks in Florida.
- 1. Tyler Reddick
Arguably the hottest driver right now performance-wise. He’s quietly leading the series in top-fives and top-ten finishes. He grabbed a long overdue second win and hasn’t finished worse than sixth since Iowa. If he can keep this up, watch out because Tyler Reddick may very well bring home Denny his first championship but as an owner, not a driver.
Daytona Here We Come Ready or Not
Listen, we got the picks piece out earlier today, so why not drop the power rankings late in the evening? I was getting the new baby cuddles and being a dad for a little while. So, as for Daytona and what to expect. Well, everything: if we are being honest fans. There are only two more attempts to get into the playoffs with a win. I wouldn’t say anything is on the table because NASCAR and Austin Dillon would say otherwise.
However, there is a “line” drawn in the sand and most of the solid drivers know not to cross it but drive right up to the very end of said line to gain a playoff-sealing win. Now whether that’s good or bad is your choice I for one will be sitting on my couch once again phone in hand for notes just like every other race. Will you? Either way, I hope you check out next week’s update to the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings.
Featured Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images
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