FitStop Performance 2025 Week 18 Power Rankings

Whether you want to call EchoPark Speedway or not, that track provided the right type of racing for a superspeedway. The tighter confines of the smaller superspeedway do not allow for the gridlock of Daytona and Talladega. With more space between the field, there are runs that can develop with a good push. Drivers can capitalize on that run because they will not be freight trained by stepping out of line. While the Quaker State 400 featured a massive wreck that took out a good chunk of the field, it should not hamper the overall experience of the race. With so many names falling out early, others were able to thrive. From last week’s rankings based on a fuel mileage race, this week’s superspeedway had controlled chaos. How did Saturday night shake up the FitStop Performance 2025 Week 18 Power Rankings?

#10 – Alex Bowman

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

Alex Bowman cracks back into the rankings this week after surviving the “Big One”. Managing to sustain no damage, Bowman became the key factor into his teammate’s win. Battling for the lead, Bowman fell back and turned into the pusher for Chase Elliott. Once Elliott completed the pass in Turn 1, the 48 chose to try to win the race for second than jeopardize Hendrick’s victory. The recent weeks have been more favorable for Bowman, who has 3 straight finishes of 11th or better.

#9 – Tyler Reddick

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

After getting kicked out of the rankings last week, Tyler Reddick comes back this week with a strong run at Atlanta. With the 45 adorned with a poorly designed Superman scheme, Reddick drove aggressively throughout the race. From the start of Stage 2, Reddick drove within the Top-5. His ability in the draft allowed him to win the second stage by the slimmest of margins. Hopefully, this race turns into positive momentum for the 45 team.

#8 – Ryan Preece

Previous Ranking: 8

Look at the car in the above image. At one point during the end of the final stage, this car was running inside the Top-5. Ryan Preece got sandwiched in the middle of the big wreck to start Stage 2. While the damage did not eliminate him from the race, the 60 car could not consistently compete near the front. When the RFK Racing trio got lined up on a restart, it was Preece who fell back first. Still, Preece walks away from EchoPark Speedway with a 15th place finish.

#7 – Christopher Bell

Previous Ranking: 5

Brackets were busted on Saturday and this week’s Power Rankings were turned upside down as well. Kicking off some major swings in the rankings is the fall of Christopher Bell. Before the “Big One”, Bell spun in Turn 4 and led a smaller pile-up. This wreck would not take Bell out of the race, but essentially out of the running. Later, the 20 car was brought behind the wall to end his day. This DNF continues a rough stretch for Bell. Mexico City marks his only Top-10 over the past 4 races.

#6 – Ryan Blaney

Previous Ranking: 3

For as good of a superspeedway driver Ryan Blaney is, he finds himself with the worst luck. Stage 1 was dominated by the Team Penske camp. Joey Logano led every lap while Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Josh Berry provided defense. As Stage 1 was coming to an end, Blaney got picked off the front grouping. This left him prey to the Christopher Bell spin. With the severe damage, Blaney got the honor of being this week’s last place finisher.

#5 – Kyle Larson

Previous Ranking: 4

It was a race of survival for Kyle Larson. During the Christopher Bell wreck, he somehow missed making any contact despite being trapped between 3 wrecking cars. Larson did end up getting collected at the tail-end of the big pile-up as Connor Zilisch gave him a bump while avoiding the carnage. Despite that, Larson managed to finish the race on the lead lap. However, this week continued Larson’s streak of races without leading a lap.

#4 – Chris Buescher

Previous Ranking: 7

Surging ahead in the rankings this week, Chris Buescher was a popular man for Atlanta. With the Cinnamon Toast Crunch scheme, Buescher arguably had the second best paint scheme on track. The sponsor engagement was perfect, as the RFK driver went all-out for it. As for the race, Buescher was one of four drivers to not be involved in any wreck. Flipping the stage early got the 17 in clean air. Buescher scored crucial stage points while leading 15 laps. Saturday marked Buescher’s fourth straight Top-10. Since the start of June, no driver has scored more points than Buescher.

#3 – Chase Elliott

Previous Ranking: 6

The best paint scheme of the weekend did end up in victory lane. Chase Elliott once again claims the checkered flag at his home track. For those who have been missing that killer instinct from Elliott, Saturday was a breath of fresh air. Elliott drove aggressively, making big moves to put his car out front. While Alex Bowman can be credited for the push to give Elliott the lead, the 9 driver force his way into that position. This win locks him into the playoffs, which can help assuage some fears of 16+ winners.

#2 – Denny Hamlin

Previous Ranking: 1

Despite his idea making its debut on Saturday night, Denny Hamlin fell to Ty Dillon in the In-Season Challenge. He also fell from the top spot in the rankings. Hamlin qualified poorly and did not move forward during Stage 1. He did flip the stage, but that put him in the right spot to spark the wreck. Poor contact from Todd Gilliland sent him spinning. The 11 team did get him back out to run a handful of laps to gain a few positions.

#1 – William Byron

Previous Ranking: 2

In the history of the FitStop Performance Power Rankings, this might be the most lackluster ascension into the top spot. William Byron finds himself back as the #1 in the rankings. Although he did DNF due to the same wreck that took out most of the field, Byron’s strong run in Stage 1 gave him the edge over Denny Hamlin. In Stage 1, Byron managed to score 7 stage points.

Honorable Mention

Chase Briscoe – A week after winning his first race with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chase Briscoe falls out of the rankings with a DNF at Atlanta.

Ross Chastain – Also falling out of the rankings this week is Ross Chastain. Getting caught up in the “Big One”, Chastain suffers from Trackhouse’s struggles on qualifying day.

Erik Jones – Erik Jones has been on a nice run over the past few weeks. Since Texas, Jones has finished inside the Top-15 in 7 of the past 9 races.

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 is in its second season sponsoring the weekly FitStop Performance Power Rankings which tracks the highest-performing NASCAR Cup Seires drivers throughout the season. Give them a follow (Facebook, Instagram, X) and thank them for their sponsorship!