NASCAR Power Rankings: Kyle Larson thrashes the field at Bristol

While the racing was not great at Bristol, it did give us a pretty clear look at the fastest drivers in the NASCAR Power Rankings. There is a new leader this week, I’m sure you can guess who it is.

There are only seven races left in the season. Kansas, Talladega, and the Roval will decide the Round of 8. But we have been seeing a number of non-playoff drivers get in the mix.

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The NASCAR Power Rankings lost a couple of drivers this week. There are a couple of drivers back in the rankings. Which of the drivers below will win the NASCAR Cup Series championship?

1. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

Dominant isn’t a strong enough word. 462 of 500 laps led at Bristol and a huge statement win in the playoffs. He’s moving up to the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings.

Kyle Larson has been one of the best drivers all season long. If he’s catching fire now, it could be a repeat of 2021.

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

Four top-5s in the last five races and Christopher Bell has quietly been one of the best drivers in the entire Cup Series. He is putting on another strong playoff performance.

P5 at Bristol was another great result. P14 with a damaged car at Watkins Glen has been his worst race since a DNF at Michigan.

3. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)

The entire Hendrick Motorsports camp appears to be coming on strong lately. Chase Elliott keeps putting up good, solid results.

Elliott is having a very Matt Kenseth 2003 season. One win, very consistent otherwise, never too high, and never too low. Moving up in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

4. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-3)

A bit of a step back for Tyler Reddick. The 23XI Racing driver and regular season champion didn’t have his best race at Bristol.

No need to panic. Reddick is really solid at Kansas and won at Talladega earlier this year. He is also a great road course racer and could win at the Roval.

5. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)

Another driver who will be great in this upcoming round, Denny Hamlin got back on track at Bristol. P4 and a little momentum after two rough races to open the postseason.

Hamlin has to kick it up a notch. He can’t let these playoffs get away from him.

6. Austin Cindric – Team Penske (+2)

My biggest surprise of the Round of 16 had to be Austin Cindric. Two top-10 finishes and another top-15 finish and Cincdric has been impressively picking up points.

Right now, Cindric has already overperformed expectations this season. Round of 12 is great, but can he make the Round of 8? Cindric deserves his spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

7. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (+2)

Team Penske isn’t just a one-trick pony. Ryan Blaney is putting up good results and maintaining a solid presence in these playoffs.

P3 at Atlanta, P6 at Bristol. P38 at Watkins Glen in a wreck he felt he should have been able to recover from is the only blot on his record so far.

8. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (+2)

This isn’t the Trackhouse Racing driver in the postseason, but Ross Chastain has picked up more points than almost every other driver through the Round of 16. He’s having a great postseason on the outside looking in.

Chastain hasn’t finished worse than P13 since finishing P25 in Michigan. P4 and pole at The Glen and P10 at Bristol shows just how solid this group has been.

9. Chase Briscoe – Stewart-Haas Racing (NR)

A win at Darlington and two top-10s in the Round of 16. Chase Briscoe is quietly upsetting the playoff structure.

It feels like Briscoe is the Cinderella Story of the year. Stewart-Haas still has one more shot at a championship before calling it quits.

10. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (NR)

Alex Bowman has been very consistent lately. He isn’t letting himself get too low and that’s been a big change for him in the last five weeks.

P5 at Atlanta and the pole and P9 at Bristol. That’s good enough to get into the NASCAR Power Rankings.