NASCAR Power Rankings: Who can beat Christopher Bell?

What else can you say? Christopher Bell has made a statement early in the season and has the rest of the field chasing him in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Three races in a row for the NASCAR driver and he has tied his career-high for wins in a season.

The last time a Cup Series driver won three races in a row was Kyle Larson in 2021. He went on to win 10 races that season and the championship. Larson actually had two three-win streaks that season.

This week the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings was an easy decision. Bell is on another level, especially late in these races. Will he continue to extend his win streak? Las Vegas and Homestead-Miami are great tracks for him coming up.

1. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

Three wins in three weeks there is nothing stopping Christopher Bell at the moment. He is clearly the top driver in the Cup Series right now and his 20 team is firing on all cylinders.

From pit road to the crew chief Adam Stevens to Bell in the car – everything is syncing up right now. Wins come and go in waves, has this one crested or is it still building strength?

2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

P3 at Atlanta and P3 at Phoenix. Kyle Larson has been right there with Bell late in two of these races so far this season.

If things go differently, we could be talking about two-win Larson above one-win Bell. Things didn’t work out that way, but Larson has been solid as usual.

3. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Another Hendrick Motorsports driver who could have had multiple wins this season is William Byron. The thing is, he does have a win this season, the Daytona 500. He also leads the series in points.

Byron was there at COTA chasing Bell. If not for a pit road penalty, Byron had a car capable of keeping up with Bell. Maybe if he’s there on the last restart he has a chance to win Phoenix, too.

4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

While he doesn’t seem to have that winning speed yet, Chase Elliott has had four respectable races. He rallied back at Phoenix for the top-ten finish, his second in a row.

Elliott has to start showing that winning speed. He has to start contending for wins. Las Vegas would be a great place to do it. I’d move him up a spot or two in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

5. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-1)

For the first time since 2019, Ryan Blaney DNF’d from a race for a mechanical failure. Team Penske has a really solid track record on their cars.

However, he did have a failure and that ruined what could have been another top-ten or top-five performance at Phoenix. His insane average finishing position since 2022 will take a dive now.

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

Okay, Week 4 and we haven’t even got to the traditional short tracks like Martinsville and Bristol yet, but should Denny Hamlin start to worry? He’s raced with good speed every week except COTA, but that was a first-lap wreck.

P2 at Phoenix – what if this was his best chance to win this season? It is too early to be talking like that but we could be looking back in the summer at a winless Hamlin wondering what could have been at Phoenix.

7. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-1)

I did a lot of small shuffling this week in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Tyler Reddick goes down because he had trouble with power steering. Is that fair? Eh. It is what it is.

Reddick had his breakthrough season last year. This year he has to show that he can establish a permanent position among the top-five drivers in the Cup Series. Two top-fives and no DNFs in the first month for the 45 team.

8. Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing (-)

Three straight top-10 finishes, I think I might be underselling Kyle Busch. Actually, I know I am. The only thing is, I’m nervous about this RCR team as a whole. Will they keep bringing fast cars or will they fall behind again midseason?

Busch is racing in his hometown this week, Las Vegas. Let’s see if he can snap that winless streak in front of the home crowd. A win would send him way up these NASCAR Power Rankings.

9. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (NR)

Another driver that I may be underselling, but there is only so much room on the NASCAR Power Rankings. Alex Bowman has finishes of P6, P9, and P7 this season.

Is this the year that Bowman wins a handful of races? I’m not convinced yet. But he’s putting up good numbers right now and that might be all he needs to do this season.

10. Joey Logano – Team Penske (-1)

This week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is important for Joey Logano. I’m ready to kick him out of the NASCAR Power Rankings if he doesn’t close out this race.

The reigning champ gets the benefit of the doubt. But this is the like week for that. Let’s see a pole award or a stage win or two. He had the speed at Phoenix but got caught up playing catch up with his option tires and used them up too early.