FitStop Performance 2025 Week 29 Power Rankings

It is insane that the difference between a snoozer and a tire fiasco at Bristol Motor Speedway is a few degrees in temperature. After a disappointing practice session, expectations were low for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Tires barely fell off and drivers were able to run up to 70 laps on the tires. The next night though, pushing it past 30 laps on tires was a dangerous proposition. With cautions aplenty and cars literally catching fire, the leaderboard was in constant flux. A late race caution did throw a wrench into things as well. WWT Raceway maintained the status quo at the top of the Week 28 rankings. Did the Bristol Night Race turn the FitStop Performance 2025 Week 29 Power Rankings upside down?

#10 – Brad Keselowski

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

One slight bump to Cole Custer turned a potential race win into a disappointing second place. Brad Keselowski had the race under his control in the waning laps. However, the caution that he brought out essentially spoiled the race win. While he gave it a valiant effort to pass Christopher Bell in the final turn, the RFK Racing owner had to settle for the runner up spot. However, Keselowski did make it back into the power rankings.

#9 – Christopher Bell

Previous Ranking: 10

Completing the Joe Gibbs Racing sweep of the Round of 16, Christopher Bell picked up his first win since Phoenix. Capitalizing on the late caution, Bell’s pick of the bottom lane at the choose cone turned out to be the race winning move. With Zane Smith clearing the way, Bell drove under the leaders and attempted to pull away. A slip up in Turns 1 and 2 allowed Brad Keselowski to get to his bumper, but the Gen7 ensured there was no threat to his win.

#8 – Tyler Reddick

Previous Ranking: 7

What to make of Tyler Reddick during the Round of 16. After Darlington, Reddick returned to his mid-teens runs at Gateway and Bristol. Finishing off the lead lap, Reddick did enough to advance to the next round. However, he failed to pick up any stage points while his teammate looked to be a contender throughout the race.

#7 – Chris Buescher

Previous Ranking: 9

Not only did Brad Keselowski’s bump to Cole Custer spoil his day, but it also hurt Chris Buescher’s race. After running in the Top-6 for the entire race, the late caution trapped Buescher a lap down after the 17 team made their final pit stop. Taking the wave around, Buescher did climb up to finish 11th. However, he barely missed out on his 16th Top-10 of the season.

#6 – Kyle Larson

Previous Ranking: 4

The Round of 16 was not kind to Kyle Larson. In the first two races, Larson’s fast car was spoiled by various factors that either hurt the 5 car or track position. As for Bristol, the high tire wear event did not play into his hands. After putting together one of the most dominate performances in the spring Bristol race, the Night Race was almost the complete opposite.

#5 – Bubba Wallace

Previous Ranking: 6

Taking fresh tires in the final laps, Bubba Wallace was working his way back through the field and attempting to unlap himself. After nabbing 10 stage points, Wallace was looking forward to strong run to finish the Round of 16. Instead, Cole Custer’s 41 car got sent into his left side door and spoiled the potential Top-10 finish.

#4 – Denny Hamlin

Previous Ranking: 2

Unlike the previous tire wear Bristol race, this weekend did not bring out the best of Denny Hamlin. Before his lost tire, Hamlin did not factor much into the front of the field. He led 12 laps, but the 11 team never could have been considered one of the cars to watch. That point became moot once the tire fell off though.

#3 – William Byron

Previous Ranking: 4

Similar to Chris Buescher, William Byron also got trapped a lap down thanks to the Bubba Wallace caution. What would have been a Top-10 for the 24 team only was brought down to a 12th place finish. Despite that, Byron still moves up a spot in this week’s rankings.

#2 – Ryan Blaney

Previous Ranking: 3

Moving up a spot this week in the power rankings is Ryan Blaney. When a driver scores 19 stage points and finishes in the Top-5, it is hard to argue against moving him up in the rankings. Blaney looked to be the top Ford in the field. However, the strategy did not play into the 12 team’s hands as the race progressed.

#1 – Chase Briscoe

Previous Ranking: 1

Leading the second most laps in the Bristol Night Race, Chase Briscoe did enough to retain his top spot in the FitStop Performance Power Rankings. Despite the numbers of laps led, Briscoe failed to score any stage points. Granted, all of Briscoe’s laps led occurred during the final stage of the race. Still, it capped off a statement first round by the 19 team. Winning the Southern 500, finishing second at WWT Raceway, then leading the second most laps at Bristol has put Briscoe as one of the favorites for the Championship Four.

Honorable Mention

Chase Elliott – Caught up in other people’s nonsense was enough to give Chase Elliott the boot from the power rankings this week.

John Hunter Nemechek – John Hunter Nemechek continued his recent string of solid races at Bristol, barely missing out on finishing on the lead lap.

Ty Gibbs – Another high tire wear race at Bristol saw a strong performance from Ty Gibbs. The young JGR driver led the most laps and won a stage.

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 Series drivers throughout the season. Give them a follow (Facebook, Instagram, X) and thank them for their sponsorship!