FitStop Performance 2025 Week 34 Power Rankings

For the final time last weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series raced on a track longer than a mile in length. Talladega Superspeedway hosted the YellaWood 500. After a season of relatively calm superspeedway racing, the expectation was that the Round of 8 playoff race would deliver a bit more carnage. When a Stage 1 wreck essentially took out 8 drivers, the YellaWood 500 seemed destined to turn into a wild card. Instead though, the race followed the usual script for these races in 2025: one “big one” followed by a cautious field. In the end, a playoff driver nabbed the victory as an exciting finish was wasted by a single-car wreck on Lap 187. Week 33 saw a new #1 in the Power Rankings. Did Talladega force another switch at the top of the FitStop Performance 2025 Week 34 Power Rankings?

#10 – Joey Logano

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

Everything should have been lined up for a Team Penske driver pulling out the victory. Joey Logano led 35 laps and had control of one of the lanes during the final stretch. However, potential fuel savers in his line spoiled the track position and Logano watched his potential win slip away. Still, his day overall was strong enough to get him back into the rankings this week.

#9 – Brad Keselowski

Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention

Another driver rising from the honorable mentions this week is Brad Keselowski. Aggressive throughout the race, Keselowski demonstrated his usual superspeedway flair on Sunday. Much like Logano though, Keselowski was hurt by the dragging bottom line. Getting disconnected from his RFK Racing teammates might have been for the best though, as he was the only to pick up a Top-10.

#8 – Chris Buescher

Previous Ranking: 7

Chris Buescher only has 2 DNFs on the season. Both of those DNFs came at Talladega. Specifically, both were the result of an errant push on the backstretch that sent the 17 car barreling into the inside wall. From leading the race to out of it in seconds, Buescher drops a spot this week.

#7 – Tyler Reddick

Previous Ranking: 8

Moving up a spot this week, Tyler Reddick picked up a Top-10 at Talladega after scoring 9 stage points. Reddick remained near the lead of the Toyota pack all race long. Outside of finishing second in Stage 1 though, there was little memorable about Reddick’s day.

#6 – Christopher Bell

Previous Ranking: 6

Stagnation is the theme of this week’s rankings. Based on how the YellaWood 500 went, most of the drivers in the rankings either had solid days undone by late race issues or quiet days that struggled to stand out. Christopher Bell features as a driver who had a quietly good day on Sunday. A Top-10 along with picking up 7 stage points help keep Bell above the cutline heading into Martinsville.

#5 – William Byron

Previous Ranking: 5

What a disaster that final restart was for Hendrick Motorsports. Starting with William Byron, the 24 got stalled for a moment after Kyle Larson ran out of fuel on the back stretch. While that ultimately spoiled any chance of winning on Sunday, Byron could have finished in the Top-5 to help his points situation. However, Byron instead got spun out coming to the checkered flag entering the tri-oval to finish 25th.

#4 – Ryan Blaney

Previous Ranking: 4

Similar to Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney looked to be in a prime position to either win, push his teammate to the win, or finish strongly. Instead, the inside line died on the Team Penske duo and left them wondering “what happened”.

#3 – Denny Hamlin

Previous Ranking: 3

To continue the lack of movement in the rankings, Denny Hamlin joins this quartet of drivers who finished in consecutive order. Hamlin rode around the back during Stage 1 before charging forward with a diminished field in Stage 2. While Hamlin found his way to the lead (for 3 laps), he never became too much of a contender. Not too surprising though since he has literally nothing to race for right now.

#2 – Kyle Larson

Previous Ranking: 1

Well, it was a short lived return to the top of the rankings. Kyle Larson drops a spot after his car dropped anchor while leading the bottom line. Running out of fuel on the backstretch, Larson lost valuable points that could have separated himself more from Christopher Bell. Now, Larson sits on the cutline and is in danger of being the first driver out if one of the four drivers below the cutline win.

#1 – Chase Briscoe

Previous Ranking: 2

Returning to the top spot of the FitStop Performance Power Rankings this week is Chase Briscoe. While his winning pass arrived on the last lap, it was not a fluke of a win for Briscoe. Briscoe led 16 laps as well as picking up the Stage 2 victory. Before the winning move, it was already going to be a strong day for the 19 team. Now though, Briscoe can relax heading into Martinsville as his spot in the Championship Four in secured.

Honorable Mention

Ryan Preece – It was a tough choice to push Ryan Preece out of the rankings this week, but his day did not stack up as well as the other Fords who made it.

Bubba Wallace – Bubba Wallace almost picked up the win on the final restart. Instead, Wallace would have to settle for a Top-5.

Chase Elliott – His second last place finish of 2025 sees Chase Elliott fall out of the rankings for the second time this playoff stretch.

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!