FitStop Performance 2025 Week 33 Power Rankings

The last intermediate on the Cup Series schedule has came and went. Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the South Point 400 as the opening race of the Round of 8. With the final 3-race round of 2025, the playoff competitors were feeling the pressure. One slip up and that could lead to unfavorable consequences. Some of the playoff drivers thrived while others floundered the opportunity. Then there were those who were taken out by bad luck. Overall though, the South Point 400 produced a solid race brought enough “playoff drama” to appease those who enjoy it. Meanwhile, the FitStop Performance 2025 Week 33 Power Rankings will look at the entire field and see where they rank this week. After the ROVAL, would an intermediate see a more straightforward race to rank?

#10 – Ryan Preece

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

For the first time since Week 24, Ryan Preece returns to the rankings. Described as the fastest car he has driven, the 60 bolted from 19th up to 8th on the final restart. Preece would settle for a 9th place finish by the race’s end. If Preece had not sped on pit road during Stage 2, it is a wonder how well the 60 team would have finished on Sunday.

#9 – Chase Elliott

Previous Ranking: 9

Another Chase Elliott-esque performance sees the Hendrick Motorsports driving on the wrong side of the cutline. After finishing Stage 1 in 5th, Elliott slipped to the back and never recovered. Missing out on points in Stage 2 along with a mediocre results puts Elliott in a tough bind heading into Talladega.

#8 – Tyler Reddick

Previous Ranking: 10

For the first time in a bit, Tyler Reddick looked to be the stronger 23XI Racing entry on an intermediate. Starting 8th, Reddick maintained a Top-10 position for the majority of the race. Finishing Stage 2 in second, it seemed that Reddick might be a contender to battle for the win. On the last restart, Reddick attempted to drive through the field. However, he was only able to work his way up to 5th.

#7 – Chris Buescher

Previous Ranking: 7

Las Vegas marked another race where Chris Buescher ran in or near the Top-10 all race long but wound up as the lone RFK Racing driver finishing outside of it. Buescher averaged a 12th place running position, which is where he finished. It was enough to maintain his current spot in the rankings.

#6 – William Byron

Previous Ranking: 5

What happened to William Byron on Sunday was so unbelievable, Hollywood would have rejected it as a script. The 100 rated driver in NASCAR 25 looked to have the second place spot sealed with 22 laps to go. As long as there was not a caution, Byron would likely cruise to a great points day. Instead, Ty Dillon’s pit intentions were not properly communicated and Byron slammed into the 10 car. From potentially bolstering his odds for a spot in the Championship Four to wrecked out and below the cutline. What a moment.

#5 – Christopher Bell

Previous Ranking: 6

Far from his dominate performance in this race last year, Christopher Bell still managed to put together a strong run. His Top-5 still hoists him above the cutline as the series heads to Talladega next week.

#4 – Ryan Blaney

Previous Ranking: 1

While Las Vegas is not Ryan Blaney’s best track, he surely wishes that a flat tire during the end of Stage 1 did not spoil his day. Running in the teens, Blaney slammed into the wall after his tire went down. The DNF results in a last place finish for Blaney as his back is against the wall heading to two of his best tracks.

#3 – Denny Hamlin

Previous Ranking: 4

Denny Hamlin only led 6 laps on Sunday. However, that was more than enough to lock himself in the Championship Four. On the final restart, Hamlin drove it like he stole. He wheeled the 11 car through the Top-10 enroute to his sixth win of the season. Holding off Kyle Larson at the end, Hamlin now can relax during the next 2 races as his first Championship Four of the Gen7 era awaits him.

#2 – Chase Briscoe

Previous Ranking: 2

Unlike last year, the 19 team has been excellent in the playoffs. While Las Vegas was not one of their best outings, Chase Briscoe and James Small maximized their efforts. Earning Top-5 results in both stages, the 19 team went for gold via a 2-tire call on their final pit stop. Had it not been for a hard charging Denny Hamlin, it would have paid off with a win.

#1 – Kyle Larson

Previous Ranking: 3

Not since Week 11 has Kyle Larson sat atop the FitStop Performance Power Rankings. This week, that changes. Kyle Larson was the driver to beat on Sunday. He led the most laps while scoring 19 stage points. With the unique black paint scheme on the 5 car, Larson resembled what many think the 5 team should look like week in and week out. Although he fell one spot short, there is no denying that Larson deserves to be bolstered to the number 1 spot this week.

Honorable Mention

Bubba Wallace – Dropping out of the rankings this week, Bubba Wallace’s 7th place result in Stage 1 was not enough to nullify his fourth non Top-10 in 5 races.

Joey Logano – It almost happened again. Joey Logano looked to be on the verge of stealing the Las Vegas win to guarantee his spot in the Championship Four.

Brad Keselowski – A bold 2-tire call helped seal Brad Keselowski’s third Top-10 in the past 5 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 Series drivers throughout the season. Give them a follow (Facebook, Instagram, X) and thank them for their sponsorship!