Martinsville Speedway wrapped up the spring outings on short tracks for the NASCAR Cup Series. Once again, fans were greeted by the usual frustration of a NextGen short track race. Passing was difficult, fast cars would get trapped if they lost the clean air, and tire wear was almost non-existent. Plus, Hendrick Motorsports dominated the day, with 3 of their drivers leading 60+ laps. For Hendrick, it was another marquee win for their 40th anniversary season. Outside of Hendrick, there were notable drivers who thrived and struggled this weekend. How did the Cook Out 400 meddle with the FitStop Performance Week 8 Power Rankings? Will it look much different compared to Week 7?
#10 – Alex Bowman
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
For the first time since his injury last year, Alex Bowman returns to the power rankings. While Bowman was a distant fourth best within Hendrick Motorsports, he was able to nab his fourth Top-10 on the season. Another Top-10 run from start to finish is helping Bowman reestablish himself in the hierarchy of the Cup Series. Seemingly, he has recovered from his injury and will be a playoff contender this season.
#9 – Ty Gibbs
Previous Ranking: 7
Dropping down a couple of spots, Ty Gibbs is coming off back-to-back middling affairs in Virginia. After leading the Cup Series in average finish through the first 5 races, Gibbs is starting to recede back to the field. While there is nothing to be concerned about, the sureness of expecting Gibbs’ first win has faded a bit. However, Gibbs can shoot back up the power rankings with a strong result at Texas.
#8 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: 9
What else did you expect from Ryan Blaney this weekend? Once again, Blaney brought home his 12 car in the Top-5 at Martinsville. It is his ninth Top-5 and eleventh Top-10 in 11 17 starts at the track. This bodes well for another championship run later this season, despite the lack of Ford wins thus far.
#7 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 6
For the third time in the past four races, Chris Buescher had to fight through the field. A poor qualifying effort on Saturday saw Buescher start 30th. With how this car races at Martinsville, coming through the field is a tall order. Despite falling a lap down, Buescher did manage to claw his way to a respectable Top-15 finish. However, the qualifying issues for the 17 team need to resolved if the team wants elevate themselves to championship contenders.
#6 – Chase Elliott
Previous Ranking: 8
Positions 6 through 10 in the power rankings are tightly contested. Chase Elliott has been able to rise to sixth in the rankings despite being an honorable mention in Week 6. To his credit, Elliott is starting to look better as the season progresses. Martinsville was easily his best race of 2024, as he led 64 laps and finished inside the Top-3. Elliott is still chasing his first win since 2022. Runs like he had at Martinsville seem to indicate that the potential is there for a win in the near future.
#5 – Christopher Bell
Previous Ranking: 5
Despite a terrible day at Martinsville, Christopher Bell remains stagnant in the rankings. Bell had issues throughout the Cook Out 400, including a cut tire during Stage 2 and spinning on Lap 203. More than likely, this race will be a minor hiccup on the season. Texas will be a good place for the 20 team to have a rebound race.
#4 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 4
Another Joe Gibbs Racing driver, another driver lacking movement in this week’s ranking. Denny Hamlin remains fourth in the rankings despite being the best non-Hendrick car in the field. Hamlin was one of few who managed to make passes near the front of the field. However, a questionable pit call on the final caution stripped Hamlin of his Top-5. Instead, Hamlin finishes right outside the Top-10.
#3 – Martin Truex Jr
Previous Ranking: 1
After two weeks at the top of the rankings, Martin Truex Jr falls to third this week. A Top-5 qualifying effort is the most that Truex could celebrate from this weekend. That starting position allowed him to pick up points in Stage 1. However, Truex fell out of the Top-10 and never found his way back there. In fact, Truex failed to finish on the lead lap.
#2 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 2
After Stage 1, it looked to be the Kyle Larson show on Sunday. From his pole position, Larson led every lap of Stage 1, collecting the valuable playoff point. However, a myriad of pit strategies saw Larson restart Stage 2 in fourth. That fast car from Stage 1 was tamed in the minimal traffic Larson faced. After leading those early laps, Larson struggled to get back to the front of the field. The late caution helped Larson leapfrog his teammate for the runner up position.
#1 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 3
Leapfrogging two drivers to return to the top of the rankings is William Byron. During the final stage, Rudy Fugle brought in Byron a lap before the rest of the leaders. That call allowed Byron to take the lead from his teammate and hold onto it until the final caution. While Elliott led a lap during the final restart, Byron managed to hang on to pick up his third win of the season. Through 8 races, it is an easy argument to make that Byron should be the championship front runner.
Honorable Mention
Ross Chastain – Slipping out of the rankings this week is Ross Chastain after a fine race for the Trackhouse driver.
Tyler Reddick – Regaining some of his groove, Tyler Reddick picked up a Top-10 at a track that has been a burden for him.
Joey Logano – Those early season concerns are starting to dissipate for Joey Logano. Now sitting in the Top-16 of the standings, Logano is riding high after 3 finishes of 11th or better.
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!
