NASCAR Power Rankings: Halfway through the regular season

Darlington has come and gone meaning we are halfway through the season. How did it affect the NASCAR Power Rankings? We’re going over the weekend’s results and ranking the ten fastest drivers in the Cup Series right now.

Drivers have come and gone in the NASCAR Power Rankings, but a few have been there all season long. There wasn’t a lot of action at the top of the rankings but we do have one new name and a few drivers who have struggled recently.

A few drivers have been getting the benefit of the doubt, well that’s starting to run out. In these rankings speed on a weekly basis matters. A couple of bad weeks means you get moved down or out of the rankings completely.

1. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

This week Kyle Larson ended with a DNF. However, he has two wins on the year and was running in the top-5 before he blew a tire.

Larson is bringing fast cars and running up front with them week in and out. He’s the best driver in NASCAR until proven otherwise.

2. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

Three wins and another solid race this week. Denny Hamlin has been consistent. Even though he didn’t lead a lap, Hamlin got the most out of his day.

The Joe Gibbs Racing group is strong and Hamlin is leading them. A win and two top-5s in his last three races, not too bad.

3. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

William Byron got into the top 10 this week, and he needed it. If he had faltered another week, I was going to dock him a spot or two.

With three wins, I feel like Byron should be more dominant. He should be talked about every week. Right now, he’s not, but he’s still third-best in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

4. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)

Now this is my controversial pick for the week. Alex Bowman moves above Chase Elliott even though he doesn’t have a win.

Seven top-10s in the last nine races – Bowman is consistent and steady. That will eventually lead to a win for the 48 team.

5. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

P12 for Chase Elliott wasn’t bad. It wasn’t enough to get him moved below Bowman, though. Elliott has yet to finish worse than P19 this season, which is great.

Elliott is going to be a quiet championship favorite this year. He’s laying low for the moment but could very well rally off a couple of wins and move up the NASCAR Power Rankings. He’s also fourth in the points standings.

6. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

Joe Gibbs Racing is fast this season and right now Martin Truex Jr. is second best. But, I do have issues with how his season has gone.

P25 at Darlington doesn’t help. However, I am worried that Truex does not have winning speed and he is not aggressive enough to win in an overtime situation. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m starting to worry about him.

7. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (+1)

Since my name isn’t Chris Buescher, I can’t blame Tyler Reddick for making an aggressive move for the lead. Maybe he could have waited until three or two laps to go, though.

Reddick is fast almost every week. He has that Talladega win but is still hungry enough to make a huge move for the win at Darlington. Didn’t work this time, but I liked it.

8. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing (NR)

Huge weekend for Brad Keselowski. He gets the first win for Ford in 2024, his first win at RFK Racing, and broke the 110-race losing streak.

This was everything that the 6 team needed. He’s a former champion and this win can do a lot for his confidence and the way his team approaches races each week. Is this the start of a run for Keselowski?

9. Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)

After struggling for a few weeks, Ty Gibbs is back in the top-5. It is his first finish in the top-5 since COTA. I’ve kept Gibbs around because last week he was hindered by a bad pit stop late in the race.

I have a lot of faith in Gibbs. He’s going to be just fine.

10. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-3)

This is the last week that Ryan Blaney gets my benefit of the doubt. He has to bring speed and a strong finish to the track or he’s going to be out of the NASCAR Power Rankings.

Blaney has had a rough time since Martinsville. But things could turn around in two weeks at Charlotte for the defending Coca-Cola 600 winner.