NASCAR Power Rankings: Christopher Bell wins under controversial caution

What would this sport be without controversy at the end of races? NASCAR once again caused an uproar at Atlanta with officiating. A week after letting the Cup Series race to the line as the field wrecked, officials threw the caution this time around and now our NASCAR Power Rankings are finally here.

Now that we have a sample size of two points races and the Clash, there is enough data to start making some statements about these teams. There have been a few drivers to show speed at Bowman Gray and at the larger superspeedways.

It is still very early in the season. 24 more races left in the regular season plus the All-Star Race. Then 10 races to decide the champion in the playoffs. Here is the first edition of the NASCAR Power Rankings.

1. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske

Not only did Ryan Blaney have a fantastic run from the back to P2 in the Clash, he has back-to-back top-10s to start the year. Daytona and Atlanta ended up being kind to Blaney.

Atlanta was particularly impressive. Blaney was in a late incident, spun out, put on fresh tires, and finished P4. He gets the top spot in our NASCAR Power Rankings, and leads the series in points.

2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports

While that first superspeedway win is still out of reach, Kyle Larson did well in Atlanta. He won a stage and tied Bubba Wallace for most points scored in the race.

We know what Larson is capable of. He showed in the offseason on dirt that he may be in the best race shape of his career and he’s ready to bring that to the Cup Series.

3. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing

Speaking of dirt racing, Christopher Bell and his newly sparked rivalry with Kyle Larson has been awesome. Bell gets the first strike in NASCAR but will remain just below Larson in the Power Rankings.

Last night, Bell was the beneficiary of the late caution. It was about to be a three-wide finish between himself, Larson, and the wily Carson Hocevar.

4. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports

Have to include the two-time Daytona 500 champ in this. He was running well again at Atlanta until he was taken out in a wreck.

William Byron very well could win the most races in the Cup Series this season. It is still very early, but the 24 team might be the one to beat in 2025.

5. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports

Winner at the Clash earlier this year, Chase Elliott has a great vibe to him. It feels like he has his confidence and attitude back, as laid back as it may be.

Elliott has a lot of fans and a lot of haters. Which group is he going to prove right this season on the track?

6. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing

To start the race, Denny Hamlin sat in the back and rode around. It looked like a repeat of his playoff strategy at Atlanta.

This time around, it ended up working out. Hamlin finished P6 after popping up out of nowhere in the final 30 laps or so.

7. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing

The defending regular-season champion, Tyler Reddick has been quietly working. He will have a chance to really show his skills at COTA this week, where he has a win.

Reddick is such a fun talent to watch on the track and will be in the NASCAR Power Rankings all season long. When he gets to these more forgiving tracks on the schedule that play to his strengths he will be able to show that more. Reddick is third in points.

8. Joey Logano – Team Penske

At both Daytona and Atlanta, Joey Logano was great. He led the most laps at Atlanta on Sunday but finished P12.

Team Penske was dominant in the early part of the race. They ended up with only one top-10 after Josh Berry and Austin Cindric were wrecked.

9. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing

No one picked up more stage points than Bubba Wallace in Atlanta and finished P9. On top of that, he has a Duel win from Daytona and was P5 at the Clash.

From the short track at Bowman Gray to the big tracks at Daytona and Atlanta, Wallace has shown speed and skill. He is fifth overall in points early on in the season and has a spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

10. Austin Cindric – Team Penske

I was not going to let Austin Cindric go unnoticed. It would be great to see him carry his Daytona and Atlanta speed to COTA this week.

Fourth in points, Cindric has already led 106 laps in 2025. In 2024, Cindric only led 256 total laps. If he didn’t lead another lap all season it would be his second-most laps led in a single season. Give the man credit where it is due, a spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.