Las Vegas was a bit more than I expected I think. Maybe that was because of what seemed to be an influx of wheels coming off or flat tire cautions. Either way, we did see a first-time winner this past weekend, so you know I have to update the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings to reflect that before the Cup Series heads to Homestead this weekend.
The Start
Yeah.. we did
— Josh Berry (@joshberry) March 18, 2025pic.twitter.com/wxwgiX1Ia3
- 15. Josh Berry
This week, to qualify in the top ten, stay there all day and then be able to grab a win. I think we definitely could see more of the same this weekend due to Homestead being a driver’s track. Plus, he finished 11th in a Stewart-Haas car last season. Atta boy for grabbing win 101 for the Wood Brothers, though, Josh!
- 14. Carson Hocevar
The finish does not represent the day. Carson ran up in the top ten all day, even claiming stage points in both stages. He killed his day with some help from Ty Gibbs or the spotter. Depending on how you look at it, you can blame someone either way. Heading into Homestead, he only has one cup series start. It was a good one, though he finished ninth. If he can replicate or do better than that, who knows, he could be climbing the rankings next week.
- 13. Denny Hamlin
Where was the eleven car this past weekend? Honestly, when you think of Vegas, you normally think about seeing Denny competing at the very least for a top ten, but it just seemed like the car wasn’t going anywhere. Homestead is very much a driver’s track, and Denny has averaged around a fifteenth-place finish in the last three races. So if he can do that, I’m sure he will be a little happier.
- 12. Ross Chastain
Ross didn’t qualify well to start the weekend. However, he and his team adjusted on the car, made the right calls, and even had some cautions maybe fall there way as well. Either way, they finished in the top five and grabbed stage points after stage two. He’s another driver on these 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings who hasn’t had the best of luck in Miami in recent trips, but as I’ve said before anything can happen.
- 11. Chris Buescher
Chris didn’t grab any stage points; he also started eleventh and finished thirteenth. It was a “mid” day at best. It could’ve been better, but it wasn’t the worst. Conveniently, that is how he’s been as of late in Miami. Now, RFK as a whole has been either a “home run hit” or “complete miss” on the intermediate tracks. Practice and qualifying will show us a lot about what to expect from Chris this weekend.
2025 NASCAR Power Rankings Top Ten
- 10. Kyle Busch
He qualified great, but that is where the good ended. The wheel came off of the car as did others this weekend. The coming races are all good tracks for Kyle, so hopefully, he will rebound. If the team can keep the wheels on it. If not, some position drops on these 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings will inevitably have to happen.
- 9. Bubba Wallace
Two stages’ worth of points grabbed and even led some laps. I know the finish sucks due to the tire going down late but Bubba is performing better this season. He’s another guy who’s not been horrible either in Miami, averaging a twelfth-place finish in the last two races. We know the cars have speed it’s just Bubba needing to “get it done” on the track.
- 8. Joey Logano
He led twice for forty total laps, so he had some speed in the clear air. Joey also grabbed some stage points early. That makes up for how he finishes, I guess. While the fifteenth-place finish isn’t the worst spot, it definitely could be better. Now heading to Homestead, I’m not sure I would lay money on Logano, considering he has one top-ten finish since 2020. He could show up, though anything is possible, especially with a Penske car.
- 7. Chase Elliott
Chase’s day was weird to watch as a fan. Just seemed like the car drove well but didn’t have the speed in it to get him to the front. He grabbed stage points in stage one and clawed another top ten out somehow. He did finish p5 last fall, and in nine career starts at Homestead, he hasn’t ever finished worse than fifteenth. So if the speed is there, we could see engine number nine up front this weekend, possibly.
- 6. William Byron
William didn’t do anything wrong. He did what William normally does from week to week. Which is to quietly earn some stage points and be around the top five near the end. We all will most likely see the same thing happen again this weekend if you’re looking at recent stats. Since June of 2020, William hasn’t finished worse than twelfth in Miami.
The Top Five
- 5. Alex Bowman
I’m giving the top five spot to Alex again this week. Because his drive was way more impressive than his teammates. He grabbed stage points in stage one, and then had to make an unexpected stop for a vibration, only to drive back to a top ten once again. He’s not the best at Homestead, but not the worst. Plus, based on Phoenix two weeks ago, he could just knock out another top ten this weekend.
- 4. Tyler Reddick
Tyler fell victim to what I would consider a down weekend for Toyota as a whole. He did grab some stage points in stage two and even claimed the race’s fastest lap to earn an additional point. Any of these top four drivers easily are early favorites heading into Homestead so don’t be surprised if we see any one of them up front and there often.
- 3. Kyle Larson
Larson makes it three-wide!
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 16, 2025pic.twitter.com/pK7nMNbblL
It was a somewhat quiet day for Kyle. Some of us expected an “ass-whipping,” while it wasn’t that it was a solid day. Stage one points, and then won stage two before grabbing a top ten. Kyle goes to Homestead easily one of the early favorites. As long as he avoids the sand barrels I would have to agree.
- 2. Ryan Blaney
He showed on more than one occasion Sunday that he had a fast race car. Unfortunately for him, like in prior weeks, Lady Luck decided to smack him in the mouth. The big accident where he got turned into the wall, basically ending the day stinks. However, I think as long as the meteor shower misses Miami, he should be able to rebound, finish-wise, this weekend. Especially considering he’s finished second in back-to-back races here.
- 1. Christopher Bell
The weekend didn’t go as planned since they noticed an issue with the throttle body on the car and had to change it pre-race. He rebounded, though, and was able to claw himself to stage one points. The stop in Briscoe’s box to resecured the wheel, probably killed contention for the win but he did climb back to finish 12th. Heading to Miami, I don’t think you should count C Bell out at all. This is a driver’s track, after all.
Wrap Up Lap
I mentioned above that Las Vegas was a bit more than expected. It was still an awesome race. These intermediate tracks and the Next-Gen Cup Series cars just work. Plus, who doesn’t love a Wood Brothers team win?
Now, as for Homestead. We should see again some awesome racing from the cup series guys. As well as the Xfinity Series. The “comers and goers” should be around, I assume. The tires will wear, and their management will be key. However, we all know an ill-timed yellow can ruin a good strategy, so. Could we see another first-time winner? Anything is possible, but if you want a safe bet look to the top five drivers here, wait for Kalebs and I to drop the picks piece. As always, race fans drop me a comment, and until next time!
Featured Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
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