Homestead did not disappoint, as we all figured, right? Racing all over the track, the best of the best ripped the fence. Maybe we’ll see the championship return next year! With Kyle Larson getting his first win this season, we must update the Belly Up Sports 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings.
The Bottom Five
- 15. Carson Hocevar
Homestead was definitely another “what if” race for Carson. After qualifying decently and showing speed in the car. An annoying mechanical issue ended his day at Homestead. He only has three career cup series starts here, and none of them went well. He has shown more speed already this season. Again, it’s NASCAR, so anything can happen.
- 14. Kyle Busch
The fall down the rankings continues for Rowdy. I had a little hope for Homestead, well and Vegas but I digress. Kyle hasn’t had good luck at Martinsville either since taking over the 8 car, so I’m not sure what to expect this weekend from the veteran.
- 13. Ross Chastain
Had it not been for the results, honestly, I wouldn’t have known Ross was at Homestead. He qualified badly, ran badly, and then finished badly. A weekend to forget. He’s been okay, I guess, as of late at Martinsville, so he should rebound a spot or two possibly on the next update of the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings.
- 12. Josh Berry
He qualified the car well, it looks strong early grabbing stage one points. After getting damaged on pit road, though, the car was never the same. He ultimately finished 17th. Now, this week is an interesting race for Josh. While he didn’t have a great time here in his stint with SHR, no one will argue that 21 seems to be much better. Not to mention, this track suits his driving well.
- 11. Denny Hamlin
Denny had a good run at Homestead. After the horrid first three weeks he has he’s somewhat turned it around starting at Phoenix with now two top fives in the last three races. While Dennis hasn’t won here in ten years, he has still been consistently good. I don’t know if he wins; he could, but I definitely won’t be surprised if Denny cracks the top ten of the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings once again next week.
2025 NASCAR Power Rankings Mid-Pack
- 10. Chris Buescher
This driver, crew chief, and team are synced up well. Because they unload with no speed, but some how finish in the top ten. While he hasn’t been the best at Martinsville recently, right now, it seems that may not matter with the way this teams been performing.
- 9. Joey Logano
It wasn’t a horrible day, I guess. Joey grabbed stage points in stage two but didn’t stay there before finishing 14th. That is the range he’s been in recent weeks. The 22 car seems to be off just a bit, long-term speed-wise. He, much like his teammates, is happy to be going to Martinsville since he hasn’t finished outside the top ten since March of 2019.
- 8. Bubba Wallace
My driver of the week from Homestead this week. I was impressed with the day the dude had overall. He was super calm and even led a few times. Bubba will have some stiff competition this week at Martinsville, but he’s not been bad here, even in his less successful seasons. In his last ten trips to Martinsville he has only two finishes outside the top twenty. Bubba the sleeper?
- 7. Chase Elliott
Stage two points were earned; other than that, it was not a noteworthy day. He finished in the top twenty, but if anything, he and Elliott Nation can look forward to Martinsville, knowing he has been really good here in recent trips.
- 6. William Byron
It was another good weekend as well for William. He grabbed stage points in both stages and didn’t quite finish the top ten but was close. Plus he leaves sitting second in the active points right now. He can go into Martinsville knowing he should get a spot back in these 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings if he can replicate his previous performances at “the paperclip.”
This Week’s Top Five
- 5. Tyler Reddick
It took a little bit into the race before he came around since he did start 20th. However, he grabbed stage points in stage two plus finished in the top ten. It was another quietly good day for Tyler. After his last two weeks, he’ll take eighth and hope to get that this weekend at least at Martinsville.
- 4. Alex Bowman
Alex freaking Bowman. This dude has been on a tear of performances lately. He’s also sitting 3rd in points behind only his HMS teammates. Me being a stat’s guy looking at his recent runs here, I wouldn’t expect much. However, Alex has been running good where he normally doesn’t so I’m going to wait and see.
- 3. Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney’s bad luck tour continued at Homestead. They dominated the race only to have the engine grenade on the front stretch. For the many Blaney fans, I hope it ends this weekend. Where it rightfully could. He has the best finishing average in the last six races at “the paperclip.”
- 2. Christopher Bell
Las Vegas wasn’t bad, but after the early spin at Homestead. I don’t recall hearing anything about him hardly the rest of the race. He grabbed no stage points and finished 29th. At least he’s also not been horrible at Martinsville recently, so he has that to look forward to, possibly.
- 1. Kyle Larson
Who didn’t see this coming? I mean, let’s be for real: the dude either wins or wrecks at Homestead. He honestly, like Kaleb said in Short Pit, would have gotten the sweep if not for Sam Mayer. While you don’t think Larson at Martinsville, he has a decent history here recently so don’t be surprised.
Post Rankings Lap
Overall, I think Homestead produced what most of us fans wanted. A really good overall race from start to finish. With the occasional comers and goers like Las Vegas. I don’t know if many were surprised that Kyle Larson won, but it was still a good race. Now, before you go on, you know dang well there are not any picks predicted here; those are in another place and will go live later this week
Heading to our first short track of the season is going to be interesting. Considering this wasn’t a bad race in the fall, this race doesn’t have near the pressure the fall race does involved. Hopefully, the softer tire compound allows some drivers, even on the lower end of these 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings, to manage tires and jump ranks. Either way, you know you will see me next week, race fans!
Featured Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
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