NASCAR Power Rankings: Two races left before playoffs

There are only two more weeks in the regular season. Time to update the NASCAR Power Rankings after Watkins Glen. Cup Series drivers are looking to either win a race to make the playoffs or are hoping to add more playoff points before Darlington.

Shane van Gisbergen set a NASCAR record with his fourth win of the season as a rookie. He is the first driver to win four road course races in a single season, as well.

However, there were many other performances this weekend that separated drivers from one another. An update to the NASCAR Power Rankings as we get ready to go to Richmond.

1. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-)

In his last four races, Ryan Blaney has had four top-10s, two stage wins, and a pole award. His speed is on dispaly each week. It feels like his next win could be right around the corner.

Blaney is still leading Team Penske this season. He has been the best driver in the group and that continues in this week’s NASCAR Power Rankings.

2. Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (+3)

Another top-five for Chase Briscoe and this 19 team is on a roll. Briscoe has three P2 finishes and a P5 in the last five races.

Every week this team brings a fast car to the track. They will probably win more pole awards sooner than later, too. Another win shouldn’t be far away.

3. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+4)

How about this?! William Byron now looks like himself again. P1 and P4 the last two weeks, Byron appears to have shaken that summer slump he was in.

Leading the point standings by 42 over Chase Elliott, Byron has a great chance to finish the regular season off with a championship. He moves up big time in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

4. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+4)

How about the month that Bubba Wallace has been having lately? P7, P1, P6, and P8 in the last four races has Wallace looking in top form going into the playoffs.

After backing up his win at Indy with two solid races, Wallace moves up in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Can 23XI Racing make some noise in the postseason?

5. Ryan Preece – RFK Racing (+1)

Another week, another solid race from Ryan Preece. He had speed but managed a P13 finish in the end.

RFK Racing has two more chances to win this regular season. Can Preece deliver the organizaiton a win and his first career victory at Richmond?

6. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-4)

A few top drivers had poor performances at Watkins Glen. P26 for Chase Elliott has him dropping in the NASCAR Power Rankings.

This is more the result of rewarding the drivers who had great days at Watkins Glen. Elliott is still one of the best in the series, but his last three races have been lackluster to say the least.

7. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)

Still searching for another win, Christopher Bell had a P2 finish to SVG at Watkins Glen. Not bad considering the dominant day from the Kiwi.

Bell has to get more consistent. He has been bouncing bck and forth between great finishes and mediocre ones.

8. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-5)

P24 and P25 the last two weeks, Denny Hamlin has to fall in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week. He was great at Indy and Dover, but struggled in the last two races.

Hamlin has been having a great season. Can he get back on track and make a strong playoff run?

9. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-5)

Even worse than Hamlin, Kyle Larson finished P28 and P39. To his credit, he had the fastest lap of the race on Sunday. But that’s not much comfort for Larson and his team.

The NASCAR Power Rankings have Larson in the bottom. But it won’t be for long until he’s back on top of the series.

10. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-)

I wish I could move Tyler Reddick up again after a good race at Watkins Glen, but he didn’t impress, really. It was a rather timid P9 finish.

23XI Racing would like to see Reddick produce the results that Bubba Wallace has had recently. Can the 45 get things together in the next two weeks?