NASCAR Power Rankings: Wood Brothers Racing locks into playoffs

Who is the best driver in the Cup Series? That is what we are here to decide with the NASCAR Power Rankings post-Las Vegas. It was a wild weekend in Las Vegas, for sure.

The Cup Series has been through five weeks of racing in 2025. The picture is becoming more clear as far as who the best teams in the sport are right now. Clearly, one driver has done more than others early in the season.

While there is one clear answer for the #1 spot this week, there is a lot going in the second half of the NASCAR Power Rankings. Will these drivers live up to the early season hype?

1. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

You already knew who this was going to be. Three wins in the first five weeks, Christopher Bell can do no wrong at the moment.

Bell drove from the back to the front but having to do it again proved to be too much. Still, P12 on the afternoon and still momentum going into Homestead-Miami.

2. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

Right behind Bell this season is William Byron. I should have had him as P2 in the NASCAR Power Rankings before this week.

It is clear that Byron is in top-tier form. If he starts to win races in bulk here soon, don’t be shocked.

3. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

A somewhat quiet season so far for Kyle Larson. P3 twice this season and P9 and a stage win, plus most laps led at Las Vegas – that has kept Larson afloat.

Hendrick Motorsports is being consistent. Slow and steady wins points a lot of times. That will be a trend with these next two drivers.

4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

When will we see Chase Elliott take the next step? He feels like a good, not great driver at the moment. Would other drivers love to have his level of consistency? Yes, but Elliott isn’t just any driver.

Elliott has to get going. Like, I need to see him race for a win or something soon. Still, no finishes worse than P20 this season have him looking really good.

5. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (+4)

Four top-10 finishes in five races. Alex Bowman has been really great so far this year. But right now he has the same issues as Chase Elliott.

Again, drivers love to rack up the top-10s and the points like Bowman and Elliott. To move up the NASCAR Power Rankings, the winning speed has to show up eventually.

6. Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (NR)

Another driver I did not take seriously enough this season. Chris Buescher debuts on the NASCAR Power Rankings this season at sixth because he’s been great.

P10, P7, P5, and P13 finishes. P30 at Atlanta is the one eyesore. Buescher continues to be the anchor for RFK Racing in the Next Gen era.

7. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-2)

Back-to-back DNFs have Ryan Blaney falling this week. Team Penske had an up-and-down day at Las Vegas overall.

Blaney had a big hit in practice. Then he had another hit in the race that took him out with 72 laps to go. Will the 12 team have a good run at Homestead?

8. Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing (-)

This week was a rough one for Kyle Busch. He took a huge dive in the points standings and will have to get going again this week at Homestead to change things.

Good news, he has three top-10s, including a top-5 finish, this season. He can’t afford another DNF this week or his points situation will take a real dive.

9. Denny Hamlin/Josh Berry – Joe Gibbs/Wood Bros. (-3)/(NR)

I couldn’t decide between these two drivers this week. Josh Berry deserved to be ranked in the NASCAR Power Rankings but so does Denny Hamlin.

Hamlin is dropping this week while Berry makes his debut in the rankings. Which driver would you take going into Homestead?

10. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-3)

Las Vegas was not great for Tyler Reddick. A couple of weeks of on-track issues that pulled this team back from a good finish.

This season, Reddick already has a pole award. He has his eyes on a win at Homestead and will be ripping the wall.