NASCAR Power Rankings: 11 on top of the world?

With two wins on the year now, Denny Hamlin moves up two spots in the NASCAR Power Rankings. These late race restarts are just so much easier when your pit crew can put you out front.

Darlington was defined by dirty air. Byron led 240+ laps but once he got into dirty air, his car was pedestrian. Not 11 against the world, 11 on top of the world!

2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)

While dirty air helped a lot, William Byron defended his lead on multiple restarts. Those green flag pit stops doomed him late, though.

Byron is still searching for that second win of the season. Could we see him get it done at Bristol or perhaps Talladega or Texas in the next few weeks?

3. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Christopher Bell had a very strong weekend at Darlington. He was strong for most of the Xfinity Series race but did fade back late to finish P25.

On Sunday, Bell showed that he was one of the best cars in the race. He made it up to Byron, but was never able to make a pass. Three wins, and he could conceivably have four or five at this point if a couple of races play out differently.

4. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (+3)

Jonathan Hassler had the No. 12 car FLYING on Sunday. Not once, not twice, but multiple times, Ryan Blaney drove through the field. He was the only driver able to get through dirty air and make a green flag pass for the lead.

Of course, as soon as he passed Tyler Reddick, the caution came out. Still, big moves for Blaney in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

5. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-4)

While I’m sure he will be just fine, what the hell was going on with Kyle Larson at Darlington? He wrecked on Lap 4 going into Lap 5 and then again with just a few laps left to go.

Larson completely changed this race, straight up. And not in a good way. 170+ laps down on the day and P37 in the final results.

6. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Will Chase Elliott and Alan Gustafson ever show winning speed this season? Bowman Gray was great and all, but what are we doing right now?

In the Next Gen era, average finish stats are meaningless. Wins are what matter. Right now, I don’t know if Elliott is capable of winning like these other drivers.

7. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (+2)

A strong day from Tyler Reddick. He had the lead late until Ryan Blaney rallied to pass him. Then Kyle Larson checked up in front of Bubba Wallace and did all of that.

P4 on the day and 41 points total. He moves up in the point standings as well. Michael Jordan was pretty happy with the day overall as he watched from pit road.

8. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (-)

Another 23XI Racing driver who had a good day overall. The P21 result doesn’t show it, but Wallace walked away with 25 points on the day. That is equivalent to a top-15 finish in points.

Wallace’s car just didn’t hold up at the end of the race. When it was fast, it was really fast, though. Charles Denike is doing everything right with his new team and driver this season. He stays put in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

9. Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (NR)

RFK Racing has a great duo and once again, Chris Buescher is leading it. He has had a quietly good season and that was the case once again this week as Buescher finished P6. 38 points on the day, and this 17-team is really coming together.

Honestly, part of me thinks that this team has a better chance to win a race coming up than Chase Elliott. But there have been mistakes this group has made and a couple of disappointing finishes.

10. Ryan Preece – RFK Racing (-)

Once again rounding out the NASCAR Power Rankings is Ryan Preece. He qualified P2 and finished P26 on the day.

Preece has impressed a lot of people this season. He might be the breakout star of 2025 if he can manage to snag a win. For now, Josh Berry holds that title.