Perhaps for the last time, the NASCAR Cup Series raced on the Indianapolis Road Course. While the previous two iterations of the race have been chaos-fueled spectacles, Sunday’s race was calm. The only caution of the day flew on Lap 2 when Justin Haley crashed into the tire barriers. After that caution, the rest of the race played out naturally. Unlike the past two seasons, this race did not end with controversy about cutting through the course at Turn 1. Instead, fast cars and pit strategies reigned supreme. Three playoff bubble drivers battled it out for their birth into the postseason. With this type of race, how do the Pit Pass Network Power Rankings for Week 21 look? Has there been much change from last week’s power rankings?
#10 – Kevin Harvick
Previous Ranking: 9
It is a shame that Kevin Harvick will not get to run on the Indianapolis oval during his retirement season. The road course has not been kind to Harvick. Sunday was no different. Harvick finished outside the Top-20 and did not receive any stage points. Harvick’s lead on Brad Keselowski in the standings has vanished to a two-point lead. If there is a new winner at Watkins Glen, the points battle between Harvick and Keselowski will be intense at Daytona.
#9 – Tyler Reddick
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
If not for a disastrous pit stop at Michigan last weekend, Tyler Reddick would have climbed up the power rankings instead of falling out. However, Reddick and the 45 team rebounded Sunday with a strong run. Reddick qualified on the front row and finished in the Top-5. He was the highest finishing (existing) playoff driver.
#8 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 7
The slide down the power rankings continues for William Byron. Due to failing inspection three times, Byron was not allowed to qualify and had to serve a pass through penalty during the race. However, the team was able to salvage the day with a Top-15 finish. However, Byron and his team need to get back on track before the playoffs begin.
#7 – Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell ran a Top-10 race on Sunday. He qualified seventh and navigated his 20 car to a ninth place finish. The clean race was surely a welcome sight for Bell, who had to fight for his thirteenth place finish last weekend. This was Bell’s first Top-10 since Pocono and only his second Top-10 since Nashville.
#6 – Brad Keselowski
Previous Ranking: 6
Brad Keselowski is not known for his road racing abilities. While not a terrible driver, Keselowski has yet to win on a road course and only seems to thrive at Watkins Glen. Sunday was a mediocre day for the 6 team. Although they scored valuable stage points in Stage 2, Keselowski was a mid-pack driver at the Indianapolis road course.
#5 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 5
The streak is dead. Chris Buescher failed to finish in the Top-10 at a road course for the first time since COTA last year. A mediocre qualifying run put Buescher in a difficult spot to keep his streak alive. While he was able to move his way forward, he was unable to pass Shane van Gisbergen in the closing laps to keep the streak alive. However, a solid run for Buescher continues his momentum heading to the playoffs.
#4 – Kyle Busch
Previous Ranking: 4
Kyle Busch has been hitting a rough patch as of late. Since rattling off seven straight Top-10s, Busch has four finishes outside the Top-20 in five races. Of those four, three are DNFs where Busch finished 36th or worse. Based off last year’s short lived playoff run, Busch fans are hoping this is Rowdy getting the bad luck out of the way. At Indianapolis, a bad engine spring ruined a potential Top-5 run.
#3 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 3
With all his recent momentum, the Verizon 200 was a lackluster weekend for Denny Hamlin. Clearly, he did not have the speed to compete for the win. However, not all was lost as the team played strategy and picked up a valuable playoff point by winning Stage 2. While not a terrible weekend, this one will be easy to forget for Hamlin and his team.
#2 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 2
Over the past two weekends, Kyle Larson has had solid days without much fanfare. Obviously, the main focus at Indianapolis was the three bubble drivers battling for the win. However, Larson managed to have a strong race. He qualified sixth and finished in eighth. Much like last week, a solid run that is overlooked due to the drama around the race win.
#1 – Martin Truex Jr
Previously Ranked: 1
For the fifth straight week, Martin Truex Jr reigns over the Pit Pass Network Power Rankings. After a seventh place finish on Sunday, Truex is on the verge of clinching the regular season championship heading into Watkins Glen. He has a 60 point lead over teammate Denny Hamlin. If he replicates his Indy GP run next weekend, those 15 bonus playoff points are his for the postseason.
Honorable Mentions
Ross Chastain – While his teammate had race winning speed, Ross Chastain ran mid-pack and did not collect any stage points. Another disappointing weekend for the 1 team.
Ryan Blaney – Based on his previous road course results this season, a Top-15 finish for Ryan Blaney is a welcome sight.
Michael McDowell – Picking up the crucial win for his playoff birth, Michael McDowell essentially caps off the summer stretch with a dominant performance in Indianapolis.
