NASCAR Power Rankings: Road course racing season

Again, Kyle Larson stated in the back like his teammates. He managed a P13 finish, and this is his fourth race in a row without a top-five finish. Larson just hasn’t been in the mix lately.

Larson has not been as good as Elliott lately. So, he stays below him for this week. Larson could easily win this weekend just as he did a year ago.

4. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-)

Ryan Blaney stays put this week in the NASCAR Power Rankings. He won the second stage by staying out and had a decent day to pick up points in P12.

The Team Penske driver continues to be the best of his organization this season. Could Blaney sneak in a second Cup Series championship this season?

5. Ryan Preece – RFK Racing (+3)

Look, I’m not putting anymore expectations or limits on Ryan Preece. The guy is going to be competitive whenever he wants to be. As long as RFK Racing gives him a decent car, he’s going to race it to a decent finish.

Preece has five top-10 finishes in the last eight races. He should have had another at Mexico City if it wasn’t for his pit road penalty. Preece is making a push for the playoffs. Can he make it?

6. Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (-1)

What could have been. Chris Buescher and SVG gave us an instant classic finish at Watkins Glen last year. If it hadn’t been for a mechanical issue, maybe we could have seen it again at Chicago.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Buescher wrestled his car to P18. His focus will be fully on Sonoma and finding a way to win.

7. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

I’m not sure what to do with Christopher Bell in the NASCAR Power Rankings. His three wins have really been holding him up in this position. But it was another disappointing day for the 20 team.

Bell is searching for another win. There is something that this crew hasn’t had since the first month of the season. Let’s see if they can find it in California.

8. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-2)

While he is the NASCAR points leader, William Byron has not raced like it lately. Four finishes of P27 or worse in the last five races. Yeah. It’s bad.

Byron could win at any track, any week of the season. But for right now, he continues to struggle and continues to fall in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

9. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (+1)

A top-10 finish for Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing. This gets him back on track with where he should be on a weekly basis.

Chastain can hold his own on the road courses. I expect him to do well at Sonoma as well.

10. Shane van Gisbergen – Trackhouse Racing (NR)

The big winner this weekend! Shane van Gisbergen won both poles and both races in Chicago. A clean sweep. With two wins this season and a road course this weekend, I have to include SVG on my list.

I do not expect him to stay here, but for now, SVG is in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Imagine if he wins Sonoma AND Watkins Glen. He could go into the playoffs with as many as 21 playoff points and potentially the most wins in the series.