Was anyone expecting to see the racing out of the Cup Series that we witnessed this past weekend at Phoenix? Due to not being a telapath I am unable to solidly answer for the masses. I, however, will take it, and hopefully see it again. Close finish, and a three-time winner, so we have to update the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings to reflect a little of what we saw, right?
Bottom Five
- 15. Carson Hocevar
He grabbed stage points at the end of stage one. His day was looking promising before (whoever you want to blame) caused the pile up on lap 99, which ended the rest of the day. He finished top fifteen in his second Vegas race but over all has struggled in three prior races.
- 14. Ross Chastain
It was a maybe below average day for Ross. He didn’t score any stage points, and finished just outside the top ten. Headed to Las Vegas, where he has had some decent runs in prior trips, he could very well be a sleeper or guy to watch during practice and qualifying.
- 13. Chase Briscoe
My gosh does he have some of the worst luck recently? Minus of course, getting the huge points penalty reversed. He got crushed in that lap 99 pile up that also claimed number fifteen on these 2025 NASCAR Power rankings. If he can stay out of bad luck’s way this week, it will be interesting to see how Chase can run considering he has one top five finish in eight starts with his prior team, Stewart Haas.
- 12. Chris Buescher
Points wise it was a horrible day. Finish wise, it was awesome. This team and driver adjusted on the car, made the right calls, and maybe had some flags go their way but walked away with a top five. Stats-wise he isn’t the best at Las Vegas, but he has been average. So that means he can only go up right? Sleeper pick?
- 11. Denny Hamlin
Solid bounce back, or way to go up on the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings. He grabbed stage points in both stages, then almost won the race. In his career at Las Vegas, Denny only has one win, and he’s only grabbed six top five finishes in twenty-six career starts in Vegas. The numbers are not in his favor for a win. A top ten, maybe more reachable.
2025 NASCAR Power Rankings Top Ten
- 10. Bubba Wallace
Bubba drove himself to the top ten, and looked to probably have a top ten finish. Before those lovely brakes blew out and slammed him into the wall. I saw you through Bubba, I’m not overly happy with seeing how Bubba has run at Vegas in the past but he has been stepping his game up a lot this year. So who knows?
- 9. Kyle Busch
Another solid week for Rowdy Busch. While it could’ve been a bit better point-wise, he did manage to finish in the top ten, which is good for a little. He’s going back home this weekend, and you know he will be looking to show out in front of the home crowd. While his RCR trips have only netted one top five, he does have two more top fifteen finishes. Plus this car has been surprisingly fast this year.
- 8. Joey Logano
He didn’t grab any stage points in stage one, mostly due to the penalty NASCAR inflicted on him for cutting below the yellow line before the start finish line. Joey was able to recover in stage two to grab some points, as well as lead four different times for 81 laps. He heads to Vegas with a little confidence, I’m sure knowing he won in the fall.
- 7. Chase Elliott
Stage points to end stage one, stage two was a bit more of a struggle. However he showed up again late, and grabbed another top ten finish. Somehow how some way, this is just what Chase and this team do, consistency. Now as for Vegas. We will see. That is all I am going to say.
- 6. Alex Bowman
Listen, I did not see Alex grabbing a top ten at Phoenix. Let’s just be honest. I’m liking the runs though that Alex and this team have been putting together. He also goes to Vegas where he’s be able to win before, plus his finishing average isn’t horrible. One slip up from above and Alex could jump back into the top five very quickly.
The Top Five
- 5. William Byron
A stage win, and eighty-three laps led. I mean another solid day for Willy B. He’s around at the end and some how is within striking distance if he isn’t the leader himself. I expect that trend to continue this week in Las Vegas. He’s averaged around a 6th place finish in the last six races and has one win. Expect to see Byron around the front early and often.
- 4. Kyle Larson
Never was able to get out front in Phoenix. He did grab some very valuable stage points in both stages. Kaleb touched on it in ShortPit and I did again on the most recent drop of The B & B Show. We haven’t seen a Kyle Larson buttwhipping and if he’s going to do it early, Las Vegas is one track he could do it.
- 3. Ryan Blaney
My man called the motor expiring like a hundred or so laps earlier. Then it grenades, like his buddy Bubba Wallace gets his day ended early due to a mechanical failure. He had a solid car enough to grab stage points though so that helps ease the blow. Plus, while the fall trip wasn’t great, he finished third last Spring in Vegas so a solid day should be had if Lady Luck avoids a bad right hook for Ryan and his team.
- 2. Tyler Reddick
Grabbed stage points in both stages and looked solid early in my opinion. Not sure exactly what happened for him to finish though. With that being said, I think Tyler is a solid sleeper pick for this weekend’s race at Vegas. He finished 35th in the fall, but second last Spring. So he can run good here. The worry I have is normally he wins or wrecks on these intermediate tracks.
- 1. Christopher Bell
I mean I think all I need to say is the following statement. Three wins in a row. I mean best car all day at Phoenix, and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he heads to Las Vegas and continues the awesome run. Will he win four in a row? I won’t commit one way, but again right now nothing could surprise me with how he’s running right now.
The Wrap Up
The margin of finish was .049 seconds at Phoenix! You don’t normally hear of a finish that close in timing here on the uniquely shaped short track in the desert. I enjoyed the race over all, I’ve said a few different times this week. I think those soft tires were a success. The biggest question is will NASCAR and GoodYear listen to the drivers and fans for once? I’m not sure their past decisions have always shown the best choices.
Anyways, let’s move on to Las Vegas, right? The next gen cars or Gen 7 cars are built in my opinion, at least for these intermediate style tracks and road courses. The racing product should be sufficient. As for some picks this week, well, stay tuned right here to Belly Up for those they should drop tomorrow for this weekend’s Cup Series races. I mentioned a few sleepers above on this update to the 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings, if you didn’t notice but for the ringers you will have to wait. Until next week race fans!
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