NASCAR power rankings: A new leader heading into the Round of 16 finale

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) poses for a photo after winning the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

1. Denny Hamlin (Last Week: 2)

Hamlin locked himself into the Round of 12 with his win on Sunday and continues to push back the hands of Father Time. As he chases his first championship in his 20th season, Hamlin has plenty of momentum.

2. Chase Briscoe (Last Week: 1)

Briscoe came up one spot shy of his second consecutive win, but the No. 19 team is still firing on all cylinders going into Bristol. The Round of 16 finale will be stress-free for Briscoe, who locked himself into the Round of 12 with his Southern 500 win.

3. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 4)

Blaney battled back from a mid-race spin to finish fourth. It was an encouraging sign after a less-than-stellar effort at the Southern 500 for the No. 12 team. Blaney is 42 points above the playoff cut line going into Bristol. 

4. Bubba Wallace (Last Week: 6)

Wallace led 73 laps and won Stage 2, but a mistake on a restart and shifting pit strategies took him out of winning contention. Still, an eighth-place run puts him 50 points above the cut line going into Bristol - a much different situation than he was in in 2023, when he had to scratch and claw his way to a Round of 12 berth.

5. Kyle Larson (Last Week: 5)

Larson led 52 laps on Sunday afternoon, but could only turn that speed into a 12th-place finish. He’s the highest on the playoff grid of any driver without a win (+60) and is all but assured to advance to the Round of 12. 

NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) during the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

6. Chase Elliott (Last Week: 7)

Elliott and the No. 9 team were surprisingly fast on Sunday, given their past struggles at Gateway. A third-place run alleviated major concerns about a potential first-round elimination, and barring any major misfortune at Bristol, Elliott should be able to coast into the next round.

7. Christopher Bell (Last Week: 8)

A similar story can be told by Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team. After a disastrous Southern 500, Bell finished seventh at Gateway and is now 32 points above the cut line. There could’ve been more on the table for Bell on Sunday, but at the least, he’ll be able to get some sleep this week.

8. Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 3)

A crucial mistake by Reddick’s pit crew forced him to scratch and claw his way to a 16th-place finish, but he’s still sitting pretty regarding the playoff picture. The two-time Xfinity Series champion is 37 points above the cut line going into Bristol, a track where he might need the insurance. 

9. Joey Logano (Last Week: 11)

Logano went from being the first man below the cut line to 21 points above it after a much-needed fifth-place finish on Sunday. Bristol has been a struggle for Logano in recent years, so advancing is not a foregone conclusion - but it’s a much stronger possibility after Sunday. 

10. Chris Buescher (Last Week: 10)

Buescher followed up his top-10 run at Darlington with a ninth-place finish on Sunday. There’s plenty for the No. 17 team to be excited about at the moment - including Bristol, where Buescher won his first race with RFK Racing in 2022. 

NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) during the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

11. William Byron (Last Week: Not Ranked)

An 11th-place finish on Sunday wasn’t ideal for Byron, but he’s still 39 points above the cut line going into Bristol. The No. 24 team has had a bit of a lull in recent weeks - Byron hasn’t finished top-10 since Watkins Glen on Aug. 10 - but the two-time Daytona 500 champion should advance to the second round with ease.

12. John Hunter Nemechek (Last Week: 15)

Nemechek led the charge among non-playoff drivers on Sunday, finishing sixth and earning two stage points. That’s two consecutive top-six finishes for the No. 42 team, who will look to keep the momentum rolling at Bristol. 

13. Ryan Preece (Last Week: 12)

Preece quietly drove his way to a 13th-place finish on Sunday. He’s second in the standings among non-playoff drivers, and the No. 60 team continues to put together consistent races. 

14. Ross Chastain (Last Week: 9)

Chastain ran better than his 24th-place result on Sunday. He’s 19 points above the cut line going into Bristol, and advancing to the Round of 12 would be huge for a driver who missed the playoffs a season ago. 

15. Ty Gibbs (Last Week: Not Ranked)

Gibbs climbed to 19th in the standings following a 10th-place finish on Sunday. It’s been a disappointing season for the third-year driver, but the No. 54 team has found some speed in recent weeks. 

16. Austin Cindric (Last Week: 16)

Cindric finished 19th on Sunday and is firmly on the bubble going into Bristol. He has an 11-point advantage over Austin Dillon for the final Round of 12 berth, and it’ll be a dogfight for the 2022 Daytona 500 champion to advance.