NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings: Iowa Speedway shifts the order
The NASCAR Cup Series went to Iowa Speedway for the first time ever and it showed us a lot in regards to Power Rankings. Now, we missed a week after Sonoma, so any major changes in our lineup here is likely due to it being based off two weeks of races.
Iowa Speedway gave us a short track race that felt like an intermediate. That is exactly how Rusty Wallace designed it back in 2006. Now that the Cup Series has raced there, it feels like we have unlocked a new hidden gem in racing.
Leaders had major issues. There has been a bit of a slide for Joe Gibbs Racing in recent weeks. Not sure what that is about exactly, but it has been a major factor in the last two to three weeks now.
1. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)
A win at Sonoma and for much of the Iowa race he looked like the fastest car on track. Kyle Larson is the man to beat week in and week out, no matter the track.
The wreck to start Stage 3 ended his day at Iowa more or less. He came back on track but was 30+ laps down.
2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)
Despite a tough go at Sonoma, William Byron bounced back in a big way. P2 at Iowa. He has a ton of speed as well this season. But it has come and gone week to week and his consistency isn’t as strong.
If Byron wants to stay near the top of the rankings, he has to remain consistent. Right now I like what I see from the 24 team overall. Moving back up to P2 in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
3. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing (-)
How about Brad Keselowski? Since winning at Darlington, the RFK Racing co-owner and driver has had great finishes.
In the last five races, including that Darlington win, Keselowski has an average finish of 5.8. He has been stringing together a quietly strong season.
4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)
Speaking of stringing together a quiet season, Chase Elliott is like the G in lasagna right now. You don’t hear him, but he’s always right in the middle of things.
Elliott has yet to finish worse than P19 this season. Since winning at Texas, his worst finish was P15 at Talladega. He has four top-5s and a top-10 in that same time frame. Keep an eye on Elliott.
5. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-4)
Look, after the last two weeks, I can’t have Denny Hamlin on top of the NASCAR Power Rankings anymore. He put together such a strong run up until Sonoma.
Now, it feels like the car is off the rails at the moment. Blown engine on Lap 2 at Sonoma, and just a dud of a car for Iowa. Hamlin needs to get back to his usual self or the regular season championship will slip away.
6. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)
What’s that? Alex Bowman has 10 top-10 finishes this season, tied for the most in the Cup Series? Say it ain’t so!
Each week, Bowman finds a way. Another finish of P8 this season, that is the fourth time he has finished in that position this season. Slow and steady for The Showman.
7. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)
How about Christopher Bell finding his groove again? Bell and his 20 team were in a free fall there for a few weeks then I guess they gave their cars over to Denny.
Back in the top-5 and in a backup car to boot. Bell had one of the more impressive performances of the Iowa weekend so he moves up in the NASCAR Power Rankings.
8. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-3)
I believe that Tyler Reddick is a victim of other drivers’ successes in the last two weeks. P8 at Sonoma and P22 at Iowa. That was after back-to-back top-5 finishes at Charlotte and Gateway.
Reddick just didn’t have it at Iowa and while he had a decent showing at Sonoma, he fell off on the tire strategy late. I want to see more from this 45 team.
9. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (NR)
Welcome back to the NASCAR Power Rankings, Ryan F-ing Blaney. The defending champ gets his first win of the season and it was a dominating victory.
Blaney needed this because his previous four results were P36, P39, P24, and P7. Back on track now for the 12 team?
10. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing (-2)
While Martin Truex Jr. is retiring at the end of the season he still has a lot to do. The last five races have been abysmal for Truex.
Since going P3 and P4 at Dover and Kansas, Truex has finishes of P25, P12, P34, P27, and P15. None of those were DNFs, showing a true lack of speed from the 19 car.