NASCAR Power Rankings: Mexico City mixes up playoff picture

Now, Denny Hamlin didn’t race this weekend. He had dad duties back home with his newborn son. However, I can’t drop him too much, he is coming off a Michigan win and going to Pocono, his best track.

Maybe this little break from NASCAR is what the 44-year-old needed to take the Tricky Triangle by storm. Can he earn his 8th official win at the track?

4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+3)

Finally, we saw a potential for Chase Elliott to win. I think if there was one more restart late, he was the most likely of himself and Bell to take down SVG. But it never came.

Going to Pocono, Elliott is racing double duty in the Xfinity Series. He moves up in the NASCAR Power Rankings for one week, but can he maintain this speed?

5. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

A wreck on Lap 7 took Kyle Larson out and it was no doing of his own. Kyle Busch was a wrecking ball after losing grip into Turn 1.

The fact Larson picked up the fastest lap bonus point tells me a lot about that car, and the driver. Speed is there, he just needs a clean race start to finish. It might be this weekend.

6. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-3)

While I understand why Ryan Blaney finished P14, I wish I could have seen more of him in the top-10. So, he drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Mostly on account of Bell and Elliott doing so well.

Blaney has had his struggles this season, but he’s a championship contender. Make no mistake about it.

7. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (-1)

Much like Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain had an average day. He had his bright spots, but P16 overall, not much to write home about from Mexico City. So, he drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

Chastain was the lone Trackhouse Cup driver not to win a race this weekend. Both Daniel Suárez and SVG picked up wins in Xfinity and Cup, respectively. But only Chastain is ranked.

8. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+1)

A small bump for Bubba Wallace on account of other drivers falling out of the NASCAR Power Rankings after Mexico City, and his solid P12 finish. For a road course, that’s really solid for the 23 team.

There is still time for this group to get a win this year. But for now, picking up as many points as they can will have to do. They have to hope they see some repeat winners down this final 10-race stretch if they themselves can’t get the job done and go to Victory Lane.

9. Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (NR)

Another road course, another top-10 for Chris Buescher. He has been quietly chipping away at solid finishes this season, as usual.

I fear that Buescher may be left out of the postseason yet again if he can’t win a race. But there is still time and the speed has been there.

10. Ryan Preece – RFK Racing (NR)

Look at that! Another RFK Racing driver in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Ryan Preece qualified P2 and won a stage on Sunday. P15 after a late pit road penalty, that’s nothing to be too upset about.

Preece has found his home at RFK. That first-career win feels like it is just around the corner.