NASCAR Power Rankings: Talladega shakes up playoff standings

Two races down in the Round of 12 and the NASCAR Power Rankings have been shaken up once again. This time, it was from the big one at Talladega. Points flipped in an instant with drivers being taken out of the race with only 4 laps to go.

The NASCAR Power Rankings have fluctuated all season long. But Talladega might have given us one of our biggest shake-ups yet. The best eight drivers are more or less solidified. But there is still room for drivers to move into the top-10 and out of it.

Heading into the elimination race at the Charlotte Roval, things have never been so tight. The best drivers are still slugging it out and one of the wackiest road courses awaits them. First, let’s get through these rankings.

1. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

In five playoff races, Christopher Bell has not finished worse than P14. He has six top-10 finishes in his last seven races.

Bell is hitting his stride at the right time. He remains on top of the NASCAR Power Rankings for at least another week.

2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

Still leading the Hendrick Motorsports group is Kyle Larson. Besides his win at Bristol and P4 at Talladega, it hasn’t been that great of a postseason or Larson.

I say that, but many drivers would kill to be in his position. Larson moves up a spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week for his strong finish at Talladega.

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

Quietly, Denny Hamlin has been having a solid playoff. At least, in the last three races.

Hamlin has finishes of P4, P8, and P10 in his last three races. If he can avoid mistakes at the Roval he should find himself advancing to the Round of 8.

4. Ross Chastain – Trackhouse Racing (-2)

If only that Stage 2 wreck hadn’t happened. Ross Chastain has been racing better than a majority of the playoff field and at Talladega, he was taken out early.

Despite the DNF, Chastain showed real speed. He won’t drop too far in the rankings this week. But he has to keep the high-level performances coming.

5. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

A little bit of a slip-up for Chase Elliott. He was a victim of the largest wreck ever recorded in NASCAR Cup Series history. 28 total cars involved.

Elliott falls one spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings, but his consistent season saves him from falling further. I think Elliott could have a big Roval weekend.

6. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+3)

The only driver who has advanced to the Round of 8 on points, William Byron is showing that he means business. I am a Byron skeptic, to be completely open about it.

However, P2 and P3 in back-to-back races is proving me wrong. Byron might be able to pull together another postseason run to Phoenix after all.

7. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-2)

Another driver who fell victim to the Stage 2 wreck. Ryan Blaney is the car that slammed into Ross Chastain, but he had some help from another driver on this list.

Blaney has been having an issue with another DNF. Seven on the year, and a career-high in a season. That’s not good for the defending champion.

8. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-1)

No one had a better result from the big one at Talladega than Tyler Reddick. He was double digits under the cutline before the wreck, and he leaves +14 after.

Reddick and 23XI Racing didn’t win that regular season championship to go home early. They have eyes set on Phoenix, but he has to step up his performance.

9. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports (-1)

Up and down, that is the season Alex Bowman has had. This week was no different. A pretty standard P16 finish from Bowman.

Bowman is likely the reason why Ryan Blaney wrecked in Stage 2. He wasn’t able to pull off a strong finish. So, he falls one spot.

10. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (NR)

With Chase Briscoe wrecking out of the race, I had a hard time figuring out who to add here. But I think Bubba Wallace deserves the shine, at least for a week.

Wallace has a P3 and P9 finish in two of the last three races. I would love to see him have a career-best finish at the Roval and prove a lot of people wrong.