NASCAR Power Rankings: Chase Elliott advances after Kansas

The NASCAR Power Rankings have a new driver on top this week. Chase Elliott won at Kansas, but where does he fall in the top-10? Kansas delivered an epic finish once again. It came down to the last lap, and the win for Elliott changed everything in the playoffs.

It is hard to tell what will happen between now and Phoenix. However, it is starting to become clear who the contenders are and who is only going to be around for a little while longer.

A new top driver this week in the NASCAR Power Rankings. How long can they maintain the hold on top of this list?

1. Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)

How about five straight top-10 finishes for Chase Briscoe in these NASCAR Playoffs? That’s why he’s the top driver in the NASCAR Power Rankings again.

Briscoe has an average finish of 5.2 in these playoffs. Until he stops being so good each week, he’s the top driver for the time being.

2. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+3)

The win for Chase Elliott was massive. It is the first time that he has had multiple wins in a season since 2022, and puts him in the Round of 8.

A last-lap pass for the win is the stuff dreams are made of. It was a spectacular finish to a great race overall.

3. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)

Despite leading 159 laps on the day, Denny Hamlin did not win on Sunday at Kansas. Still, he moves up in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

The win would have been his 60th overall and 6th of this season. Can he maintain his points lead at the Roval and get to the Round of 8 comfortably?

4. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

Christopher Bell has the second-most top-10 finishes in the playoffs. He is now on a streak of four straight and doesn’t look like he is going to let up any time soon.

The Roval is going to be interesting. Bell has won it before, but SVG might have something to say about that this season.

5. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-4)

It feels harsh dropping Ryan Blaney so far, but one week after Team Penske showed their strengths, they show their weaknesses. That’s a tough go of things.

P24 on the day and a weekend of issues. None of the Penske drivers finished in the top-20.

6. Joey Logano – Team Penske (-4)

Same story as Ryan Blaney. Joey Logano had a tough weekend, and the result showed as much. Team Penske did not have it.

Logano is very vulnerable going to the Roval. He has to have a good race and hope that he doesn’t run into any incidents on pit road or the track.

7. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

While William Byron had a good finish, I’m not giving him a leg up in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week. Hendrick Motorsports has serious concerns outside of the Elliott win.

Byron has not looked like the regular-season champion that he is in these NASCAR Playoffs. That could all change this week at the Roval if he puts up another strong performance.

8. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

Kyle Larson also took four tires when Chase Elliott took four tires. But he wasn’t able to charge to the front like Elliott did.

A good finish for Larson. Get this, the 5 team has not had a top-five finish since Indianapolis. In that time, Larson has only won a single stage. That has to change soon.

9. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+1)

Another top-five finish for Bubba Wallace and his 23 team, but it wasn’t enough. A win was what this group needed and it just slipped through their hands.

You could argue that Wallace would have won during the first overtime restart. That final restart was the one that did him in, though. Still, P5 is a strong statement.

10. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-1)

I’m just swapping the 23XI Racing drivers because the 23 did better than the 45 straight up. Tyler Reddick had to get his car going in the right direction. Really, both teams had to work on their cars to get going forward.

Reddick is currently dealing with a family issue. His youngest son, Rookie, is in the hospital with what seems to be an issue with his heart. We are thinking of the Reddick family during this difficult time.