NASCAR Power Rankings: Kyle Larson makes statement at Roval

The Charlotte Roval had a new look, but Kyle Larson made it feel like 2021 again and made a statement in the NASCAR Power Rankings. These NASCAR Playoffs are now in the final four weeks of the season.

We are in the final stretch. Drivers are going to have Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, and Martinsville decide their fate. Only four will make the Championship 4 at Phoenix.

Let’s get into the NASCAR Power Rankings fresh off the Round of 12 elimination race. There is a new but familiar face on top.

1. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

When you win a race like Kyle Larson did on Sunday, you get to move up in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Larson has six wins on the season, the next closest drivers have three wins.

Larson is putting together a strong postseason. Wins at Bristol and the Roval – it feels like his championship season in 2021. Will he become a two-time champion this year?

2. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Christopher Bell was right there behind Kyle Larson. He put up a great race, but without the clean air, he couldn’t keep up with the No. 5.

This is the time of the year when Bell does his best work. He is starting to do just that with only a few races to go in the season.

3. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+3)

Well, it is about time that William Byron showed up. He moves up three spots in the NASCAR Power Rankings for his three straight top-5 finishes.

Byron was excellent in this round. He has the chance to do even better in the Round of 8.

4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

While he has only led a single lap in the NASCAR Playoffs, Chase Elliott wasn’t sweating it too bad when it came to elimination on Sunday. Elliott is steady as ever.

But the No. 9 team is too steady. They get to that 5-10 range in the field and then he can’t get any further. Can he win a race in the next few weeks?

5. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (+2)

Still the best Ford driver in the Cup Series. Ryan Blaney advances in the NASCAR Playoffs and rises in the Power Rankings.

It wasn’t a great race, but good enough from Blaney. P10 and onto the Round of 8, that’s all he can ask for.

6. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-3)

Things could have gone better for Denny Hamlin, but they could’ve gone a lot worse. Hamlin had to fight for every spot and it was still close in the end.

Joe Gibbs Racing has two drivers in this round. They hope to get both drivers to Phoenix as well.

7. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (+1)

No one had to work harder than Tyler Reddick on Sunday. Contact in Stage 2 with Hamlin left his car limping. But the team got it going by the end of the race.

Reddick moves onto the next round courtesy of a gutsy performance and his regular season championship. The Alex Bowman DQ helped, but he didn’t need it to make the next round.

8. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+2)

Back-to-back top-10s in these playoffs and a second top-10 at the Roval in his career. Bubba Wallace was very solid on Sunday.

Wallace is not in the playoffs, but he has been having good runs. These next two races should be right up his alley and likely his best chance to get a checkered flag this season.

9. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (-5)

Two poor results in a row for Ross Chastain. That win at Kansas feels like it was so long ago now.

Trackhouse Racing no longer has a car in the NASCAR Playoffs. A P28 finish also means a dive in the NASCAR Power Rankings for Chastain.

10. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Disqualified after the race was over, Alex Bowman had a good run. He was the most impressive driver in the playoffs up to the DQ, regarding points.

Bowman had a heartbreaking exit from the NASCAR Playoffs. He also drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings.