We got to witness the closest finish in NASCAR history. Not one of them, but the closest. It’s going to be extremely hard for Darlington to follow that up. Especially considering the struggles this next-gen car has on short tracks. Sorry it was Friday for my loyal readers before you got an updated Power Rankings, the weather in North Georgia has been insane recently! Anyway, let’s drop that update to the 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings.
The Bottom Five
- 15. Noah Gragson
Are the last three weeks one-off performances? Or does this team possibly have something? I don’t know to be sure but three top-ten finishes in a row for a SHR is nothing to frown about. Especially when no one gave any SHR a chance much less this team.
- 14. Ty Gibbs
I think Kansas was a fluke honestly. However, I will have to agree with my comrade Kaleb on this one this week. Stay away from the 54 this weekend at Darlington. Will he prove us all wrong though and grab a few spots on these 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings?
- 13. Joey Logano
I was worried Kansas would probably be rough for the twenty-two-team. I just didn’t know how rough. Joey is very good at Darlington and also had some speed earlier at Richmond and Martinsville. Rebound on the horizon?
- 12. Ross Chastain
Average, at best is how I would describe Ross at least lately. He has good runs early but no good finishes to show for it. Now finishing outside the top ten for his sixth consecutive race. Darlington though is a place I think at least, that he will grab a finish deserving of the run.
- 11. Kyle Busch
Something about it is refreshing to see Kyle and the eight-car back running competitively as we’ve seen recently. He finished respectfully in eleventh and seventh on both trips last year so we should see the trend continue I believe.
The Middle Five
- 10. Bubba Wallace
The way he and his team persevered after being involved in an accident. I know it’s not a top-ten finish but I like what I saw out of this team and their driver. He gets to head to Darlington knowing he hasn’t finished worse than ninth in three races.
- 9. Christopher Bell
FIVE WIDE. Yes. More of this, please. #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/NECFqZPPgD
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 5, 2024
Seems as though he’s righted his rough patch as well. He was up front leading and contending. Heck even going five wide for the lead as you see above. Darlington and Bell have a bit of a love-hate relationship in his career so far. With that being said if he can keep it out of the wall, he’ll be a contender. Toyota’s and especially JGR Toyota’s have been fast this year.
- 8. Tyler Reddick
Another driver, who I thought would’ve done better at Kansas. Just seems the speed was lacking for him and his 23XI Racing teammate. Tyler has the second-highest finishing average in the last six Darlington races though so he very well could rebound as well this weekend.
- 7. Alex Bowman
Three consecutive top-ten finishes! That’s pretty good I think Alex has a win coming it’s just a matter of when. Darlington though hasn’t been too particularly kind to Alex. He only has one top-ten finish in his last five trips. We’ll see if he can change that this weekend.
- 6. Martin Truex Jr.
An untimely caution doesn’t happen Sunday, and we may very well be talking about this man winning the race at Kansas. That’s racing though, right? Anywho as for betting purposes though, unless Martin has worked out his grievances with Lady Luck at Darlington I don’t feel too good.
The Top Five
- 5. Chase Elliott
This aired during NASCAR Race Hub last night … what Chase Elliott said after the Cup race Sunday at Kansas: pic.twitter.com/6cnotEgrgm
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 8, 2024
The most popular driver in the series has been on a good run recently. His worst finish since Bristol is sixteenth back at COTA and I don’t expect that to change either in Darlington. He grabbed two top-ten finishes at both Darlington last season. I think Chase could even be a favorite this weekend.
- 4. Ryan Blaney
Another hard-fought race for the 12-Team. Proud of everyone for giving it their all. We will be ready to go in Darlington. pic.twitter.com/0I9FNGgc45
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) May 6, 2024
The reigning champ grabbed a top-fifteen at Kansas. Nothing to frown about but it wasn’t a great day. He’ll also go to Darlington hoping to improve on his two top-ten finishes last season as well.
- 3. William Byron
Since the start of the race @kansasspeedway, @WilliamByron is +23 spots. 💪 pic.twitter.com/chhXIr4lIc
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) May 5, 2024
Kansas weekend started rough when he hit the wall in qualifying. He showed speed for a few laps Sunday but ultimately fell back and finished twenty-third. He will go to Darlington looking to defend his Spring victory from last season.
- 2. Denny Hamlin
He’s one of the hottest drivers on the circuit right now with three wins so far. Probably could’ve got a fourth but that’s racing and sometimes the flags don’t fall as you want. Don’t worry though Hamlin Nation he heads to Darlington and will easily be a contender
- 1. Kyle “Freakin” Larson
Still playing this on a loop … pic.twitter.com/jXWNWNqf5s
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 6, 2024
I don’t know if anyone is surprised to see this guy in victory lane once again. It was an awesome final lap battle between Kyle and Chris Buescher. Now Kyle can go to Darlington with even more confidence than he even had to begin with. Considering he won here in the fall. He is the number one driver in these 2024 NASCAR Power Rankings for this week!
Way Too Late Wrap-Up On Kansas
This was the type of race NASCAR fans were clamoring for after some consecutive weeks of lackluster races. There were battles early and often for the lead, and really throughout the whole field. However, I think we expected it too as fans. Especially considering how much this next-gen car has improved intermediate track races like it has since coming into the sport. Now we go to one of NASCAR’s oldest tracks in Darlington.
A lot of fans and drivers love the history at Darlington. The old worn-out track surface is a fun track to watch typically. I will say this though fans. Lower your expectations, especially after watching the closest finish in NASCAR history last weekend. This short-track package needs work still. I hope Darlington can put on a good show but I like everyone else. I definitely will be tempering my expectations.
If you are looking for some drivers to put some money on well you know where to go then. Kaleb and I dropped our “expert” picks for Sunday’s race at Darlington yesterday. I think it might be our most daring piece yet. So, if you want to risk it a bit go check them out!
Featured Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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