Short track racing was back on the docket for the NASCAR Cup Series. With an Easter edition of Richmond Raceway, the Cup Series started out on wet weather tires to tackle a damp track. Actually, the action benefitted from the rain tires. Once NASCAR forced the slicks back on, the usual slog of a Richmond race unfolded. However, NASCAR kept it interesting for fans via questionable calls during the race. One in particular hurt the one-stop strategy call during Stage 2, which then led to minimal difference in strategy calls in the final stage. Ultimately, the race whittled down to the fast cars up front. Week 6 was based on a bore of a road course race. How will the FitStop Performance Week 7Â Power Rankings shake out after Easter Sunday at Richmond?
#10 – Ross Chastain
Previous Ranking: 9
After a Top-10 qualifying effort, Ross Chastain never maintained that position throughout Easter Sunday. Chastain remained a Top-15 car for most of the race, but struggled to crack the Top-10 throughout. Richmond Raceway has been an inconsistent track for Trackhouse as a whole, so it does add up that Chastain was a nonfactor this weekend.
#9 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: 8
It has been a rough couple of weekends for Ryan Blaney. After starting off the season strong, Blaney has slid down the leaderboard over the past three weeks. A poorly timed tire issue at Bristol saw a solid day ruined. At COTA, Blaney ran around the mid-pack for the most of the day. Sunday at Richmond, Blaney fell off during the rain tire portion of the race. Once the slicks were put on, Richmond’s tendency to be difficult to pass kept Blaney deep in the pack.
#8 – Chase Elliott
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
For the first time this season, Chase Elliott cracks into the power rankings. While Elliott has still been distant from the driver fans knew prior to his injury, the 9 driver has put together some solid runs over the past three weeks. A course cutting penalty at COTA prevented him from having three straight Top-10s. However, Richmond saw Elliott pick up his first Top-5 of the season. For Elliott fans, hopefully this positive momentum will lead to stronger runs as the season goes.
#7 – Ty Gibbs
Previous Ranking: 6
Dropping a spot this week, Ty Gibbs was the weakest Toyota from the Joe Gibbs Racing/23XI Racing camp. While that meant he was only a Top-15 car rather than Top-10, it was a small step back for the young driver. Still, Gibbs has impressed this season and it feels that his first win is around the corner. However, Richmond might not be the place where it happens.
#6 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 7
Four straight Top-10s for Chris Buescher sees him flirt with the Top-5 of the power rankings. Buescher is tied for the most Top-10s in the Cup Series. Richmond was another race where the 17 car was a solid, but lacked race winning speed. Where Buescher needs to improve mightily is getting stage points. Despite being tied with the most Top-10s, he sits 12th in points due to only collecting 14 stage points thus far.
#5 – Christopher Bell
Previous Ranking: 4
A speeding penalty potentially ruined a different strategy that Christopher Bell and his team were planning. In the final stage, Bell stayed out about 10 laps longer the rest of the field. Obviously, the hope was that the 10 lap fresher tires would help him weave through the field. However, Bell sped on pit road, jeopardizing the shot at the win. He was able to rebound though for a 6th place finish.
#4 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 5
After a slow start during Stage 1, Denny Hamlin managed to find his way to the Top-5 during Stage 2. While Hamlin did not have race winning speed, he was a constant presence in the Top-5. During the later portion of the final stage, Hamlin borrowed Bell’s strategy of pitting slightly later than the leaders. He was able to get to third before stalling out behind Joey Logano. After the Larson caution, Hamlin’s pit crew gave him the lead and some bending of the rules allowed Hamlin to pick up the win.
#3 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 2
Following up on his dominant performance at COTA, William Byron ran a respectable race at Richmond. Never truly competing for a top spot, Byron found himself riding in the back half of the Top-10 for the bulk of the race. This season is feeling very similar to last year, where Byron is not the dominant driver most races but will break out for a race here or there.
#2 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 3
NASCAR’s quick trigger on a caution flag during Stage 2 put a damper on Kyle Larson’s early dominance of the Toyota Owners 400. Throughout Stage 1 and the early portion of Stage 2, Larson looked like the car to beat. However, attempting the one stop strategy back fired when Kyle Busch kissed the wall in the middle of the strategy. Getting stuck in traffic, Larson was never able to regain the lead.
#1 – Martin Truex Jr
Previous Ranking: 1
Remaining at the top of the FitStop Performance Power Rankings is Martin Truex Jr. Truex was the driver of the day on Easter. After Larson picked his strategy, the race fell into Truex’s control. Had it not been for the late race caution, Truex would have easily glided into victory lane. However, luck was not on his side as the caution came out, his pit crew was a bit slow, and his teammate once again used him up on a restart. In a rare moment of emotion, Truex expressed his frustration via door slamming Kyle Larson and bumping Denny Hamlin on the cooldown lap.
Honorable Mention
Alex Bowman – While the Stage 2 yellow spoiled Larson’s chances at the win, it ruined Alex Bowman’s day. A Top-5 car was a trapped a lap down and Bowman was never able to recover.
Brad Keselowski – Ignoring COTA, Brad Keselowski is on a bit of a hot streak. He has 3 Top-10s in the past 4 races including 2 Top-5s.
Kyle Busch – Unable to hold onto the tenth spot, Kyle Busch falls out of the power rankings after a forgettable day at Richmond.
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