A trip to New Hampshire produced a weekend unlike any we’ve seen in NASCAR. Christopher Bell also managed a sweep. No Cup or Xfinity Series driver could beat him in the Magic Mile.
New Hampshire wasn’t a great weekend for most of our NASCAR Power Rankings members and only a few had days worth talking about. For that reason, I hesitate to criticize anyone too much, with the exception of a driver.
There are now four drivers with three victories in the season. This year will be an incredibly competitive fight for the championship.
1. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-)
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-KeynoteUSA Sports
A quiet top 5 for Kyle Larson. That is, unless you’re his observer. Larson had frustrations with Denny Hamlin on Sunday, but the P4 finish makes it all worth it.
When you finish fourth and no one really talks about it, you know you’re a talented driver. Larson tied Chase Elliott in the points standings after New Hampshire, again on track to win the regular season.
2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-)
Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-KeynoteUSA Sports
A P26 finish for William Byron was not what he needed. If there is no speed in Nashville, then I could see Byron drop in the NASCAR Power Rankings between two and four spots.
Yes, you won at the beginning of the season, but what’s happening lately? I’m almost out of excuses for Byron, who is going through a bad summer streak very similar to the one he had in 2022.
3. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)
John David Mercer-KeynoteUSA Sports
With how poorly everyone else did in the NASCAR Power Rankings in New Hampshire, Chase Elliott can move up one spot to 18th.
Elliott has kept his streak of top-20 finishes alive. Nashville is a race he has his eyes on as a possible victory this Sunday.
4. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)
Jim Dedmon-KeynoteUSA Sports
P24 for Denny Hamlin, another disappointing result. Where is the winning velocity we saw almost weekly for the first 15 weeks of the season?
Hamlin will recover, but there should be some concern here. The good thing is that he has those three victories to fall back on.
5. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-KeynoteUSA Sports
Christopher Bell joins Hamlin, Byron and Larson in the three-win club. It’s very interesting to see this battle between JGR and HMS play out like this.
Consistency is the name of the game for Bell. We need to see more week to week for Bell to move higher on this list.
6. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Runs (+1)
Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-KeynoteUSA Sports
Solid top 10 for Tyler Reddick. Dirt racers tore through wet tires, constantly looking for colder spots on the track where they could gain speed.
Great work from the team of 45 each week. It feels like they’re starting to prepare for the postseason, ready for a big performance sooner rather than later. Reddick remains solid in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
7. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing (-2)
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After New Hampshire, Brad Keselowski only had a P28 to show. A two-hour rain delay to finish at the back of the pack is not ideal.
It seemed like this team was starting to reach championship level starting in Texas. Now things have calmed down. Could we see the 6 team rise again in the NASCAR Power Rankings?
8. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (+1)
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-KeynoteUSA Sports
Ryan Blaney would have had a great finish if not for Michael McDowell destroying him. It cost him a great day.
I can’t punish Blaney too much for this. He can be promoted only because a driver has run out of chances to reach the winning speed.
9. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)
Jim Dedmon-KeynoteUSA Sports
Back to the top-10 for Martin Truex Jr.! It had been a long time since we could say that. Now he can start to recover and prepare to win a race this season.
As far as points go, Truex is fine. But he will have to get back to leading laps and running at the front.
10. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (-4)
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-KeynoteUSA Sports
I came very close to eliminating Alex Bowman from the NASCAR Power Rankings. But this time I couldn’t do it.
Bowman has plenty of top 10 finishes. But where is the speed to win a race? I don’t see it and I’m starting to disbelieve in Team 48’s ability to get there.
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