That certainly was a race that happened this past weekend. The Ally 400 went from run of the mill to insanity during its complete runtime. Nashville Superspeedway became the latest track to be hit with some sour weather. Prior to the weather delay, the race seemed to be down to two drivers. Afterward, the field started to utilize various strategies. That looked to be resolved after Denny Hamlin tracked down Ross Chastain in the closing laps. However, Austin Cindric spun and kick-started the madness that followed. Five overtimes later, Joey Logano somehow kept enough gas in the tank to win. With a wild race, how does one even start to determine what the FitStop Performance Week 19 Power Rankings shape up this week? After Week 18 saw a new #1, what changes will there be now?
#10 – Joey Logano
Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention
Team Penske has been on a roll lately. In each of the past eight weeks, a Penske team has won across NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA. Joey Logano is now the latest Penske driver to find victory lane. During a weekend where the 22 did not have great speed, Paul Wolfe and Logano played the strategy game. Despite the calculations saying the 22 should have run out of gas, the tank left enough for Logano to sputter across the line with a win. This win gets him back into the power rankings for the first time since Week 1.
#9 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: 8
On paper, Ryan Blaney had a great afternoon in Nashville. He led 26 laps, scored some points in Stage 2, and finished 6th. Yet, he drops a spot in the power rankings. What gives? Well, Blaney’s overall weekend was a bit of a mixed bag. He found himself near the top of the practice charts, but followed it up with a mediocre qualifying effort. That starting position saw Blaney stuck in the mid-pack. Strategy played a critical role in his stage points and laps led. If not for the calamity at the end of the race, Blaney likely finishes off the lead lap. Hence why he drops a spot this week.
#8 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 9
Up a spot this week is Chris Buescher. Buescher had a solid day in Nashville. While never a contender for the win, he managed to stick in the Top-10 throughout the afternoon. Scott Graves played the early strategy game, pitting before the majority of the leaders. After a splash-and-go, Buescher maintained his Top-10 position during the final stage. By the end of the race, Buescher navigated the 17 car to a Top-5 finish. Crucially, Buescher earned points in both stages and leapfrogged Alex Bowman in the standings.
#7 – Brad Keselowski
Previous Ranking: 7
Arguably, Brad Keselowski could have been dropped down in the power rankings. However, Keselowski ran a great race before contact with Austin Dillon effectively ended his day. Prior to the accident, Keselowski was a Top-5 car. He finished fifth in both stages. Had he not wrecked, Keselowski would have likely received a good finish to go with his early run. For now, he maintains his spot in the power rankings.
#6 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 4
William Byron and 24 team are struggling to find consistency. Nashville was no different. During the first stage of the race, it looked to be a better race for Byron. After qualifying 7th, that is where he managed to stay through Stage 1. However, things went sour after Stage 1. Byron got lost in the mid-pack and never recovered. Similar to New Hampshire, it was a race where the 24 team simply missed the mark.
#5 – Christopher Bell
Previous Ranking: 6
Prior to the final stage, it looked to be another dominate win for Christopher Bell on tap. He swept the stages and easily had the best car in the field. However, the biggest issue with the 20 team returned this week to nip Bell. With the various strategies sending Bell down the leaderboard, his lack of patience cost him dearly. Bell wrecked out of a race that he seemed destined to win. He still moves up a spot in the rankings, but what could have been will be wondered.
#4 – Tyler Reddick
Previous Ranking: 5
The Ally 400 win almost fell into Tyler Reddick’s lap. On the final overtime restart, Reddick shot out of cannon. From the third row, he easily swept past the four cars in front of him to tail leader Joey Logano. Coming to the white flag, it almost felt inevitable that Reddick would take the lead and win. However, Logano demonstrated his grade A blocking skills, costing Reddick the win and second place.
#3 – Chase Elliott
Previous Ranking: 2
On two separate occasions, Chase Elliott found himself spinning into the tri-oval grass. Once was during Stage 2, when Elliott got loose alone and safely spun. He managed to recover and score points during that stage. During the numerous restarts, Elliott had to pit for gas and saw himself back down the leaderboard. Coming to the checkered flag, Elliott spun again into the grass. Despite this, he still managed to keep his Top-20 streak alive. However, that was not enough to prevent him from losing a spot in the rankings.
#2 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 3
Denny Hamlin was 2 laps away from victory. With the freshest tires in the Top-10, Hamlin slowly tracked down Ross Chastain as the laps dwindled. Once Hamlin caught Chastain, it was only a matter of time before the 11 would slip past the 1. The Austin Cindric caution rained on that potential Hamlin parade though. After 3 restarts, Hamlin had to pit for fuel, giving up the lead. Still, it was a great day for the 11 team. Points were scored in both stages, he led 70 laps, and almost cracked back into the Top-10.
#1 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 1
Almost by default, Kyle Larson remains at the top of the FitStop Performance Power Rankings. There was nothing remarkable about Larson’s day. He ran inside the Top-5 most of the afternoon. He and Denny Hamlin added a new chapter into their rivalry. Seemingly, Larson took his spotter’s advice to heart from last week as he fought hard to keep Hamlin behind him at the end of Stage 2. That might have also played a factor in how Larson raced during the first overtime restart. Diving deep into Turn 1, Larson lost the grip of the car and took out Ross Chastain. On the following restart, Larson ran out of fuel and jumbled the outside lane behind him. Yet still, he managed to finish 8th.
Honorable Mention
Ross Chastain –Â From a near victory to wrecked out, Ross Chastain left Nashville disappointed and out of the power rankings.
Martin Truex Jr – Another frustrating week keeps Martin Truex Jr in the honorable mentions. A Top-10 car ends up being taken out on the final restart.
Carson Hocevar – Despite his actions against Harrison Burton, Carson Hocevar put in another solid effort at Nashville. It marked the sixth straight race with a Top-20 for the rookie.
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