NASCAR Cup Series action returned this past weekend with the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. After two weeks away, some short track racing greeted the fans. While Richmond has fallen under scrutiny, NASCAR decided to spice things up by bringing the option tire to track. However, the result of the option tire was upstaged by Austin Dillon’s demonstrative actions to win the race. Entering the final turn, Dillon used his car as a battering ram to take out Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to nab the win and playoff spot. With how poorly his season has gone, Dillon will not be featured in the Week 23 FitStop Performance Power Rankings. However, did Richmond and the option tire serve up enough chaos to drastically alter this week’s rankings compared to Week 22?
#10 – Chris Buescher
Previous Ranking: 8
Leading up through the start of Stage 2, Chris Buescher was set to have a solid weekend at Richmond. He posted quick times in practice and qualified 7th for the Cook Out 400. Maintaining his early track position, Buescher nabbed some points in Stage 1. Who knows how Scott Graves would have utilized the option tire with Buescher running inside the Top-10. Unfortunately, one mistake completely ruined Buescher’s day. Having to reverse back into his pit box to tighten a wheel, Buescher never got his lap back (until the final caution) and finished 18th.
#9 – William Byron
Previous Ranking: 9
Remaining stagnant in his position while others jump over and behind him, William Byron had an unremarkable run at Richmond. No stage points and a finish outside the Top-10 is fitting for how the 24 has been running recently. Albeit, Byron did run the majority of the final stage inside the Top-10. Not a bad race, but Byron and his team are still searching for his early season form.
#8 – Bubba Wallace
Previous Ranking: 10
23XI Racing is the hottest team in the Cup Series right now. Bubba Wallace is pulling his weight with that momentum. Picking up his second straight Top-5, Wallace finds himself on the right side of the cutline. Even with the Austin Dillon win, Wallace’s recent performances have seen him slingshot around Ross Chastain and Chris Buescher. Will he be able to maintain this pace to keep him in the playoffs as only 3 spots remain?
#7 – Ryan Blaney
Previous Ranking: 6
Similar to William Byron, Ryan Blaney had a so-so race that sees him drop a spot in the power rankings. On the option tire, Blaney was able to make up lost ground from earlier in the race. However, Blaney fell victim to the last lap caution. Having to put on the primary tire, Blaney lost his regained track position to slip out of the Top-10.
#6 – Brad Keselowski
Previous Ranking: 5
A complete miss from the 6 team this week as Brad Keselowski loses ground in the power rankings. Lacking speed on Saturday, Keselowski had an uphill battle on Sunday to pull out a good finish. While he found the speed late in the race, it was too late to salvage more than a 16th place finish. Looking ahead, Keselowski’s car came alive late last year at Michigan. Based on the speed shown at Kansas as well, Keselowski could pilot his Ford to victory lane this coming weekend.
#5 – Christopher Bell
Previous Ranking: 7
All of the ire aimed at Austin Dillon and NASCAR should be redirected at Christopher Bell. Had he not sped on pit road during his first stop during the final stage, Bell likely lulls everyone to sleep with a dominate victory. Instead, the costly mistake set the stage for Dillon’s last lap antics. In all seriousness, Bell had the car to beat on Sunday. If not for the speeding penalty, Bell probably ends up winning the Cook Out 400. That or he does not wreck the two drivers who would have beat him on the final restart.
#4 – Chase Elliott
Previous Ranking: 3
A quiet day for Chase Elliott does lead him to dropping a spot this week. Elliott managed to finish in the Top-10, lead 5 laps, and collect 6 stages points. Once again though, the 9 car was a Top-10 machine with no real threat to push further up the leaderboard. The consistency of Elliott has him in the Top-4 in points (and power rankings), but more needs to be shown if he is to be considered a contender for the Cup Series championship.
#3 – Denny Hamlin
Previous Ranking: 4
After the Christopher Bell speeding penalty, it seemed that Denny Hamlin was destined to sweep the Richmond races this season. He led the most laps (124) after qualifying on pole. However, Austin Dillon managed to catch and pass Hamlin with 29 laps to go. In the end, Hamlin finished second. However, the overtime finish saw Hamlin dumped into the wall as Dillon made his desperation move to save his season.
#2 – Kyle Larson
Previous Ranking: 2
Remaining second in the power rankings, Kyle Larson pulled out a Top-10 from Richmond. In one of the rare races where the 5 car seemed off, Cliff Daniels attempted the one stop strategy in Stage 2. Although it did not pay off with stage points, Larson did benefit with track position and the option tire. Never a factor for more than a Top-5, Larson will look to hang onto the regular season championship as the schedule turns to one of his best tracks on the Cup Series circuit.
#1 – Tyler Reddick
Previous Ranking: 1
The other half of the hottest team in the Cup Series, Tyler Reddick remains atop the FitStop Performance Power Rankings after a Top-5 at Richmond. That Top-5 marks the sixth straight race where Reddick finishes 6th or better. Of those 6 races, Reddick has finish on the podium in four of them. Simply put, there is no driver in the Cup Series with more momentum heading into this final regular season stretch than Reddick. How long will he manage to hold onto to the top spot in these power rankings though?
Honorable Mention
Carson Hocevar – Continuing a steady rookie season, Carson Hocevar picked up his third Top-10 on the season.
Alex Bowman – Another disappointing week for Alex Bowman keeps him out of the power rankings for this week.
Ross Chastain – A much needed quality run for Ross Chastain came at the right time to keep his playoff cutline deficit to only 3 points.
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