NASCAR Power Rankings: Defending champ wins a race

It feels like every week, Ryan Blaney has the fastest car in the second half of these races. Yet he can’t put together a complete race. At least, he hasn’t won yet this year.

Four top[-five finishes and three of those coming in the last four races have him sitting 7th in points. Still, Blaney is clearly frustrated seeing his Penske and Wood Brothers teammates win races this season while he’s been shut out.

4. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)

Ever since winning those three races in a row, Christopher Bell has cooled off. He picked up a P9 finish at Texas in a decent race overall. Bell was never really in contention for the win.

This is still a special season for Bell. Those three wins could turn into four, five, or six very quickly. As we get into this next stretch of races, it might be time for Bell to get back to Victory Lane.

5. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-2)

It was an early exit for Denny Hamlin. Between pit road confusion and a penalty, and his car catching on fire, it was over before the end of Stage 1.

Hamlin drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings because his last two weeks have been rough. Kansas will be a major opportunity to turn things around for the 11 team.

6. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

Oh, another top-20 finish for Chase Elliott? I’m kind of over being impressed by it. Until we see Elliott racing for the lead at some point this year, I’m down on the 9 team.

I’m not sure what they need to get this group in contention for wins. Is there a crew chief issue? Driver issue? What else could be keeping Elliott from winning races?

7. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (+2)

A very strong finish for Ross Chastain this weekend. He moved up from the back of the field to finish P2 overall. If there was one more restart, he might have given Logano a run for his money.

Chastain and Trackhouse have been lacking that elite speed, much like Elliott. Let’s see if that starts to change now that they appears to have hit the mark at Texas.

8. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-)

A solid day for Tyler Reddick was ruined by a late spin. Instead of a top-10 finish, Reddick finished P21. That is his second-worst finish of the season, only behind his P24 finish at Las Vegas.

Reddick won the regular season championship last season. I’m not sure he can repeat without another run like he had in the second half of last year’s regular season. Top-five and top-10 finishes should be the norm.

9. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (-2)

For his mistake at Texas, I moved Bubba Wallace down a couple of spots in the NASCAR Power Rankings. He got himself in a bad spot on a restart, and it led to a significant wreck.

Wallace picked up more stage points. He continues to keep himself a top-10 driver by virtue of his stage points and finishes.

10. Joey Logano – Team Penske (NR)

Finally, a win this season for Joey Logano, the defending Cup Series champion. He shows up on the NASCAR Power Rankings for the first time since the first month of the season.

Logano has led a lot of laps and scored a lot of points. That’s why he is 9th in points despite his struggles. Not a bad way to bounce back from a DQ.