Kansas Speedway has come and gone from the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The first traditional intermediate track of the playoffs produced some chaos for the playoff drivers. Almost half the playoff field experienced an issue during the weekend at Kansas. For the race itself, each stage seemed to feature a different driver dominating their stage. Tire strategy played a factor after a Stage 2 caution. In the end, a late caution (due to a tire) setup the green-white-checkered overtime finish. Four tires prevailed over three two tire stops with Tyler Reddick picking up the win. As the Cup Series heads for the elimination at Bristol, the Pit Pass Network Power Rankings for Week 25 needs to be set. How did the Hollywood Casino 400 shake up the Week 24 power rankings?
#10 – Kevin Harvick
Previous Ranking: 9
Heading into Kansas, Kevin Harvick was not optimistic with his chances. However, Harvick ran better than advertised. During Stage 2, Harvick (on fresh tires) managed to drive up to second. Although he could not make it stick, he ran around the Top-10 for most of the race. Unfortunately, he falls a spot due to Ryan Blaney running a better race.
#9 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: 10
As mentioned above, Ryan Blaney had a solid race on Sunday. His Ford remained in the Top-15 for over 90% of the race. If not for the late race caution, Blaney would have finished inside the Top-10. While he was far from race winning speed, the steady Top-10 speed was a welcome sign after Ford’s poor spring showing.
#8 – Kyle Busch
Previous Ranking: 7
It was a tough call to drop Kyle Busch a spot. Based on Sunday alone, he had great comeback race after wrecking on Saturday. While the team continuously worked on the car, Busch managed to drive his way into the latter half of the Top-10. However, Busch once again wrecked during practice to start in the back of the field. While Busch dropping a spot is mostly due to other drivers’ success, his own undoing is costing him, both on the track and in the power rankings.
#7 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 5
After a spin during Stage 1, William Byron never recovered. Byron qualified in the Top-10 and looked to have at least Top-10 speed. However, his car never demonstrated the same speed after his spin. Byron ran mid-pack all race where is fifteenth place finish was better than where he ran. Byron drops a couple of spots in the power rankings, although his mediocre performance does not hurt his playoff position.
#6 – Tyler Reddick
Previous Ranking: 8
Tyler Reddick is getting hot at the right time. Heading into the playoffs, the big question with Reddick and his 45 team was whether they could avoid mistakes. So far, they have accomplished that. Reddick’s win on Sunday clinches him into the Round of 12. With an average finish of 1.5 in this round, Reddick and team need to keep this mindset rather trying to push to do more. Could Reddick be this year’s Christopher Bell?
#5 – Brad Keselowski
Previous Ranking: 6
Three playoff drivers have scored a Top-10 in both playoff races. The first two were the race winners (Reddick and Kyle Larson). The third is Brad Keselowski. Keselowski is on a streak of five straight Top-10s on ovals. His ninth place finish is worse than the speed he had. A poor lane choice on the final restart had him fall behind. Still, a Stage 2 win and a Top-5 car is nothing to complain about. Keselowski sits solidly in the points heading to Bristol.
#4 – Martin Truex Jr
What a time for the season’s second DNF. Martin Truex Jr punctured a tire during the open laps of the race. The tire let go in the middle of Turn 3 and Truex wrecked out of the race after three laps. Back to back poor runs for Truex has the regular season champion sitting below the cutline. Three straight poor finishes for Truex also sees him drop in the power rankings.
#3 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 4
Denny Hamlin dominated the final stage and looked set to win on Sunday. The late caution and bad restart spoiled Hamlin’s shot at winning. Instead, he has to settle for second place. For the second straight week, Hamlin looked like the sure bet to win only for it fall a part. Unlike last week, Hamlin did not have the strongest car all race long. Instead, the car slowly came to life as the race went on.
#2 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 3
One misjudgment turned a potentially dominating day for Kyle Larson into a fight back from the mid-pack. Larson won Stage 1 and led 99 laps. This race seemed set for Larson to be (at least) in contention for the win. However, a Stage 2 caution saw Larson stay out while a bulk of drivers pit behind him. During the restart, Ross Chastain got loose, made slightly contact with Larson, and the 5 car fell back outside the Top-20 quickly. A call to take fresh tires early in Stage 3 saw Larson power his way back to the Top-10.
#1 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 1
Barely holding onto the top spot this week is Chris Buescher. Prior to his tire ruining his race (and playoff cushion), Buescher was a Top-10 car all race. He fell outside the Top-10 due to a loose wheel during a caution pit stop. However, the team managed to rebound to run Top-10 for the bulk of Stage 3. However, Buescher’s right rear tire went down, causing him to lose a lap and bring out the caution. Heading into Bristol, Buescher now only sits thirteen points above the cutline.
Honorable Mention
Christopher Bell – Christopher Bell ran a solid race. He never matched his qualifying pace but avoided major mistakes for a Top-10 run.
Ross Chastain – After slipping back in the pack on old tires, Ross Chastain was never able to fully rebound in traffic despite an early strong car.
Erik Jones – A fourth driver to Top-10 in both playoff races is Erik Jones, who is putting together a solid second half of 2023.
