Finally, the NASCAR Cup Series season has officially kicked off with the Daytona 500. A memorable finish (for the wrong reasons) will mar a great week of Cup Series action. Qualifying was a great bit of drama that led to two exciting Bluegreen Vacation Duel races on Thursday. Monday’s Daytona 500 was setting up to be an all-time great. After an early caution, the drivers kept the racing clean without junking up their race cars. Now that the 500 has passed, this means the return of the power rankings. The FitStop Performance Week 1 Power Rankings will kick off 36 weeks of Cup Series rankings.
Unlike last season, this year’s power rankings start with the first race of the season. Week 1’s power rankings will factor in where the drivers finished 2023 in the power rankings finale. For those who are clicking on your first reading of a power rankings, this was the final ranking from 2023:
- Kyle Larson
- William Byron
- Denny Hamlin
- Christopher Bell
- Martin Truex Jr
- Kyle Busch
- Chris Buescher
- Brad Keselowski
- Ross Chastain
- Kevin Harvick
Power Ranking Admin
How are the power rankings determined? Each week, the Cup Series drivers will be evaluated on their overall performance for the entire race weekend. From practice/qualifying through the end of the race. While results are important, the rankings heavily factor in how well a driver ran throughout the race. A driver who wins after leading a single lap when running 20th all day will not be considered as highly as the driver who leads the most laps but finishes 32nd due to a flat tire on the final lap.
While there will be exceptions, drivers will not rocket up or down the rankings. More significant movement is expected early in the 2024 season (as the 2023 finale is used as a starting point). However, as more races are logged, the more difficult it will be to have drastic shifts. Drivers will no go from #1 to out of the power rankings in a single week (or vice versa). These rankings will reward consistency.
Also, only points paying races will be considered for the rankings. No Clash, All-Star Open, or All-Star Race power ranking articles will be written.
With the admin established, time to look at FitStop Performance Week 1 Power Rankings.
#10 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
Although Ryan Blaney wrecked two race cars this past week, he demonstrated why he is considered one of the better drafters in the Cup Series. The most notable accomplishment from Speedweeks was his Stage 2 win. He pulled a nifty move on Austin Cindric (who almost wrecked the field due to it) to win the stage. Although the results do not show it, Blaney had a presence in Daytona this past week.
#9 – Joey Logano
Previous Ranking: Not Ranked
Up until Lap 192, Joey Logano was having the perfect Daytona Speedweeks. On Wednesday, Logano put a Ford on the pole for the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2012. A Top-10 in his duel race was a respectable run, especially considering the lack of Fords in the first duel. Logano led the most laps in the Daytona 500. Heading to the finish, he was setup nicely for a chance for the win. With Atlanta on deck, Logano might build some momentum up the rankings.
#8 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 7
Nothing about Chris Buescher’s Daytona 500 (on-track) week was exceedingly good or bad. His qualifying effort was alright. A Top-10 in a Chevy/Toyota filled duel was a noteworthy accomplishment. In the Daytona 500, he picked up a stage point in Stage 2. He looked strong during that stage, battling for the lead in the far outside line. However, Buescher got caught up in the “big one” and brought a damaged car home in the Top-20.
Congratulations to Chris and his wife Emma on their newborn!
#7 – Martin Truex Jr
Previous Ranking: 5
Dropping down two spots from where he finished 2023, Martin Truex Jr had a quiet time at Daytona. While the Toyotas were flashing their speed in each duel race, a pit road issue saw Truex fall down the order. Luckily for Jimmie Johnson, Truex’s fall down the order allowed him to push his Toyota teammate into the Daytona 500. Truex was collected in the Lap 192 accident, but managed to bring it back home in the Top-15.
#6 – Brad Keselowski
Previous Ranking: 8
Brad Keselowski continues to demonstrate how there is a talent to superspeedway racing. Few in the Cup Series have mastered the ability to ride in the back of the pack then jolt up to the front in limited laps better than Keselowski. In both his duel race and the Daytona 500, Keselowski demonstrated that skill. During his duel, Keselowski ran at the tail end of the field to then shot forward for a Top-10. In the Daytona 500, Keselowski was a back marker as the laps counted down. Right before the green flag pit stop, he helped get the third line to the front. Unfortunately, Keselowski’s night ended after getting right reared.
#5 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 3
The NextGen era of superspeedway racing has tamed Denny Hamlin a bit. While he still is a formidable foe, Hamlin is increasingly quiet during the superspeedway races. Hamlin had his moments of driving to the front. However, the majority of his Speedweeks were spent quietly riding around. Getting caught up in the Lap 192 wreck certainly did not help. While it is difficult to say it was a bad week, it is tough to argue it was good.
#4 – Kyle Busch
Previous Ranking: 6
Despite finishing outside the Top-10, Kyle Busch was one of the best cars on track on Monday (and all week). Proof of this was how he rebounded from a tire mishap during the Stage 2 caution break. Busch limped the car around and had to restart at the tail end of the field. Within 12 laps, Busch was back battling for the lead. Since joining RCR, Busch has been a force to be reckoned with on the superspeedways.
#3 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 2
It was a Daytona race where Kyle Larson finished the race. That is almost as good as a win for Larson. Larson finished 11th for the Daytona 500 while leading 7 laps. In addition to that, he scored 9 stage points in Stage 1 and qualified inside the Top-10 on Wednesday. Superspeedways do not usually go well for Larson, so the decent outing is likely well received.
#20 – Christopher Bell
While it might have been lost due to the intense battle for the last open spot, Christopher Bell won the second duel race on Thursday. Bell finished the Toyota sweep of the duels, which turned heads since it was the first wins for Toyota on a superspeedway with the NextGen car. To back up that duel win, Bell finished the Daytona 500 in third for the second straight year. Along with the Top-5, Bell led the second most laps on the day with 22.
#1 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 2
Well, this is a familiar sight. Kicking off the Week 1 Power Rankings at the #1 spot is William Byron. Although he may have only led 4 laps, Byron led the most important lap. Now, he joins the esteemed list of Daytona 500 winners. While his lead laps are minimal, Byron was a constant presence up front. He was one of four drivers to earn stages points for both stages. Not only does Bryon leave Daytona with the Harley J Earl trophy, but he also has the first points lead of the season.
Honorable Mentions
Ross Chastain – The Melon Man was leading late in the race. While making his move for the win, Austin Cindric and Corey LaJoie made contact which led to the race ending accident.
Tyler Reddick – The Toyota driver won the first duel race on Thursday while quietly having a solid run until the Lap 191 wreck.
Alex Bowman –Â Finishing second in the Daytona 500, Alex Bowman started off his bounce back campaign well.
Sponsor Shout Out
The brainchild of Hunter Smith, FitStop Performance is dedicated to training the toughest around – from motorsports athletes to multi-tasking soccer moms. He desires to help everyone who walks through the doors of his gym to perform optimally throughout life. FitStop Performance jumped on board with Pit Pass Network in 2024 to sponsor the weekly FitStop Performance Rankings which tracks the highest performing NASCAR Cup Series drivers throughout the season. Give them a follow (Facebook, Instagram, X) and thank them for their sponsorship!
