NASCAR Power Rankings: Wacky Watkins Glen
What a weird and wacky weekend at Watkins Glen. The NASCAR Power Rankings were difficult to sort this week. When most of the drivers in my previous top-10 end up having poor races, it makes ranking drivers even more difficult.
Based on my rankings after Atlanta, the first driver to finish at Watkins Glen was Kyle Larson in P12. Only Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric made the top-10 out of all playoff drivers. For the first time ever since the Chase system was started in 2004, a playoff driver fails to finish P5 or better.
So, you can understand why this is so hard. Don’t get too upset with these picks, just doing my best with what these drivers gave me.
1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-)
After being spun early in the race, Tyler Reddick didn’t have a car that could keep the pace. However, he made the most of his day.
This is the first bad race for Reddick in….months. Since the beginning of May, probably. He remains on top of the NASCAR Playoffs.
2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)
Kyle Larson gets to move back up here after beating Christopher Bell head-to-head on Sunday. They both had moments during the race, but Larson seemed to be running P25 all day long.
By the end of the race, Larson was P12. Not anything to write home about but good enough this week.
3. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)
It feels like Christopher Bell and his team are ready to go on another deep run. However, they have to have consistency.
During the regular season that consistency wavers. I want to see this No. 20 team to keep putting up top-15 finishes on a rough day and top-10s and top-5s on good days.
4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)
Another top-20 finish for Chase Elliott. That is why he rises in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week.
Elliott has only a single finish worse than P19, it came at Chicago when he finished P21. Need to see faster cars on race day, though.
5. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)
How does Denny Hamlin move up after a P23 result? Well, a Lap 1 wreck and a wreck in Stage 3 helped. At least, it made his result look more impressive.
Hamlin salvaged his day and enters Bristol six points down to the cutline. He has to have a strong race if he plans to advance to the Round of 12.
6. Daniel Suárez – Trackhouse Racing (+2)
Out of the playoff drivers and most of the NASCAR Power Rankings drivers, Daniel Suárez’s P13 was a good day. He didn’t lead like his teammate Ross Chastain, but Suarez had a good day.
The 99 team is in a good position to advance to the Round of 12. They have to avoid having a catastrophe at Bristol.
7. Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing (-3)
Three straight top-5s and then P30. That is a tough go of things for Kyle Busch who has had a tough go pretty much all season long.
He gets to stay this week. One more result like that and he will likey fall from the rankings due to the lack of speed this team has had for most of the year.
8. Austin Cindric – Team Penske (NR)
The ONLY driver to record top-10s at Atlanta and Watkins Glen – Austin Cindric. He has four straight results of P18 or better.
This team and driver appear to be coming into their own. Unfortunately, Cindric has a best finish at Bristol of just P20. Good points cushion, can’t let it collapse.
9. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-2)
Team Penske is doing pretty well in these playoffs but Ryan Blaney, not so much. Three DNFs in the last four weeks is not ideal.
Good news, in those four weeks, when he did finish a race, he was P3 in Atlanta. This team has to find qualifying speed soon or they could be out of the playoffs early.
10. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (NR)
Pole award, most laps led, Stage 2 win, and a P4 result for Ross Chastain put him back in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Ross might be the ultimate spoiler.
It will be interesting to see how Chastain does at Bristol and moving forward. He is racing without a care in the world and that could be dangerous for other drivers.