NASCAR updates Power Rankings ahead of Quaker State 400 in Atlanta

We’ve entered the final third of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season. With 18 races in the books, drivers have just eight remaining to try and solidify their spot in the playoffs come September.

This weekend, the sport heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Quaker State 400. Some drivers head to the track carrying some serious momentum while others are in need of a strong performance. But before the green flag waves Sunday evening, NASCAR released an updated look at the power rankings.

Martin Truex Jr., one of the hottest drivers since the All-Star Race, sits atop this week’s power rankings. He’s also currently the Cup Series points leader. Here’s how NASCAR.com’s Pat DeCola ranks the top-10 drivers heading into Atlanta:

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Kyle Busch
3. William Byron
4. Kyle Larson
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Ross Chastain
7. Christopher Bell
8. Chase Elliott
9. Joey Logano
10. Kevin Harvick

Most of the names mentioned in DeCola’s top-10 also find themselves inside that same range in the points standings. Here’s how the power rankings compare to the Cup Series points standings through 18 events:

1. Martin Truex Jr. — 591 points
2. William Byron — 582 points
3. Ross Chastain — 573 points
4. Christopher Bell — 570 points
5. Kyle Busch — 560 points
6. Denny Hamlin — 538 points
7. Kevin Harvick — 523 points
8. Kyle Larson — 521 points
9. Ryan Blaney — 506 points
10. Joey Logano — 491 points

As the regular season winds down, the heat turns up for drivers to make a playoff push. It should be an entertaining race in Atlanta on Sunday.

Drivers with best odds to win NASCAR’s Quaker State 400

Projecting a winner for a NASCAR Cup Series race is never an easy task, but BetMGM has released the odds for the drivers with the best chance to claim a checkered flag in the Quaker State 400 this weekend.

This is NASCAR’s second venture to Atlanta this season. In the first visit, Joey Logano took home the victory. Can he repeat at the track on Sunday? He doesn’t have the best odds.

Instead, Kyle Busch enters the Quaker State 400 with 10-1 odds, the best of the field this week. Chase Elliott is right behind at 11-1 while Logano and Ryan Blaney both have 12-1 odds to win the race.

Three drivers — Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and William Byron — all have 14-1 odds to pick up a victory in Atlanta.

Sunday’s Quaker State 400 from Atlanta Motor Speedway begins at 7 p.m. ET. USA will cover this weekend’s event.