NASCAR Power Rankings: Regular season, playoff bubble battles heat up

The Cup Series returned for the first time in two weeks, and that means we have a new set of NASCAR Power Rankings. Three more races until the regular season champion is crowned and the 16-driver playoff field is locked in.

Speaking of the playoffs, Austin Dillon stole a spot for himself. From P32 in the points to 13th in the playoff standings. Wrecking two drivers and potentially setting a new precedent in the sport for aggressive driving was worth it to get that checkered flag.

With the results this week, the NASCAR Power Rankings are going to get shaken up. Let’s get into it.

1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (+2)

Dating back to Charlotte, Tyler Reddick has been on a run unmatched this season in the Cup Series. He has not picked up a win in that time, but results speak for themself.

Six top-5s, three top-10s and a pole award in the last ten races. The only slipup during that time was at Iowa when he finished P22. Reddick is five points out from the regular season championship leader…

2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Kyle Larson has to start racing better if he wants to close out the year with that regular season title. Reddick is within five points, Chase Elliott is six away, and Denny Hamlin is only 21 points back.

It is going to be a battle to the finish. Larson goes down one only because of how great Reddick has been lately.

3. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Another driver who has done nothing wrong to make them drop in the NASCAR Power Rankings, but Reddick can’t be denied any longer. Hamlin had the race won after Joey Logano got wrecked and then…disaster.

While Hamlin didn’t win he was credited with a P2 finish overall. It helped him cut Larson’s points lead in half from the start of the race to the end.

4. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-)

This season the Ford camp has been carried by Ryan Blaney. Plain and simple, Blaney is the blue oval that gets it done regularly each and every week.

A quiet night for Blaney just outside of the top-10. He has been great this year and will keep his spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings for now.

5. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

Another driver who was pretty quiet, Chase Elliott earned another top-10 finish. He has three in a row now. That’s how he’s been able to keep in contact with the points leaders this season.

Plug away, do what you have to, keep your head down, and top-10s are almost guaranteed for the 9 car. Good showing, feels like Elliott is due for another win soon.

6. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

When will Christopher Bell truly hit his stride? Sparks keep happening, he gets a small flame of momentum and then it’s blown out.

Bell is doing just fine. I think he is poised for another good playoff run, and he keeps his spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

7. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+2)

Truth be told, Bubba Wallace has had as good of a last five races as he has had this season or maybe even since last summer. Two top-10s, two top-5s, and a P13 in that time has him moving up the power rankings.

Back to back top-5s are exactly what Wallace needed. He has been averaging almost 35 points a race in that time, erasing a 51-point deficit to move above the cutline by 3 points heading into Michigan.

8. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Where is that early-season William Byron? Byron moves down once again the NASCAR Power Rankings because he has no speed. Yes, he was P4 at Pocono a few races back, but he hasn’t had winning speed for weeks.

Byron will more than likely be fine as the playoffs approach. Still, there should be a little cause for concern with how this team has leveled out this summer.

9. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

That Chicago win was only going to keep Alex Bowman in the middle of the NASCAR Power Rankings for so long. He had been so consistent and the last two weeks have derailed that.

P31 at Indy, P28 at Richmond – that’s not what the 48 car should be doing right now. Bowman has to get back that consistency he had from Talladega to Charlotte.

10. Carson Hocevar – Spire Motorsports (NR)

Look, there aren’t 10 drivers in the Cup Series that have been great lately. So, I’m going to let Carson Hocevar take the last spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week.

The young rookie earned a P8 finish at Richmond (tying his career-best) and dating back to his P8 at Gateway, it’s been a superb run for Hocevar, an average finish of 14.77.