NASCAR Power Rankings: Round of 12 prepares for New Hampshire

The Round of 12 is solidified, and we have a new batch of NASCAR Power Rankings this week ahead of Loudon, New Hampshire. Can anyone put a stop to the Toyota and, specifically, Joe Gibbs Racing domination? That remains to be seen.

12 drivers in the Playoffs but only 10 spots in the NASCAR Power Rankings. We are going to have to make some hard decisions here, folks.

Will we see the same drivers who have been great continue their strong runs? Was Gateway more of a Loudon preview than many give it credit? Let’s get into these rankings before we fully focus on the next race ahead.

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

P1, P2, and P9. No other driver in the Round of 16, playoff or not, had three straight top-10s in the first three races. Chase Briscoe has been fantastic lately and that is only going to continue.

Give the fact this is James Small’s team and he was so good at New Hampshire with Martin Truex Jr., I think Briscoe is likely a threat to win again. Could he be on the fast track to the championship?

2. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (+1)

This season has been a quietly great one for Ryan Blaney. The seven DNFs really muddy the waters, but he’s been on top of his game since Dover.

Only one finish worse than P8 since then, and coming off back-to-back top-five finishes, Blaney looks poised to become a two-time champ.

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

The wreck that Denny Hamlin was in didn’t help his case this week. So, he drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings. P31 after damage, not ideal.

But you can’t deny that Hamlin is still at the top of his game. New Hampshire should be a strong track for Hamlin and his team. They may also face the suspension of two crew members after a loose wheel at Bristol. Could that impact their playoff run?

4. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (+5)

Winning cures all and that’s why Christopher Bell has moved up so much this week. His win at Bristol was a long time coming.

Now that Bell has this win, his attention will turn to New Hampshire. It is a track that has treated him very well. He swept the Xfinity/Cup races there a year ago. Can he win the Cup race again?

5. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (-1)

Since the win at Indianapolis, Bubba Wallace has been so good. He has had wrecks and moments that have taken him out of a good finish. But you can’t deny his success lately.

A stage win and two top-10s were all Wallace needed to move on to the Round of 12. Now, points reset and he has to keep the momentum going.

6. Joey Logano – Team Penske (NR)

It’s the postseason and Joey Logano won’t be denied. Two P5 finishes in a row and the third in the last five races. It’s starting to feel like deja vu, folks.

Logano is going to have to be at his best. He is going into the Round of 12 in 11th place. But he’s 6th in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

7. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-2)

What is going on with Hendrick Motorsports? Even Chase Elliott has struggled. He went 25 races without a DNF and has now had two DNFs in the last five races.

Can Elliott shake this slump in time to make a deep run? He drops in the NASCAR Power Rankings for another disappointing weekend.

8. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

This is not the place you would expect to see these Hendrick drivers. Even regular-season champion William Byron has struggled with getting elite speed.

No one in the Hendrick camp looks ready to win a race anytime soon. That can change quickly, but for now, it’s not looking great at HMS.

9. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-2)

23XI Racing did not expect Tyler Reddick to be winless this season. But here he is in the Round of 12 and still without a win.

This year has definitely been a step back for Reddick after his superb 2024 season. He’s running out of time to turn things around.

10. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-4)

P19, P12, and P32. That was the Round of 16 for Kyle Larson. He can turn things around at a moment’s notice, but right now, it looks dire for the No. 5 team.

I really don’t have much faith in Hendrick, and that is wild to say at this time of the year. Can Larson and his teammates get the ship going right before it is too late?