Assuming you stick around long enough to peruse the standings below, they might look familiar.
Here at Power Rankings HQ, we only rarely adjust the Top 10 after plate-racin’ at Daytona and Talladega (and, nowadays, Atlanta). Those races generally don’t give you a good barometer on who’s up and who’s down, or upside-down on occasion.
And by “generally don’t” I mean never do. A look at the finishing order at any of these tracks (they’re called “drafting tracks” in the modern era withou actual carburetor restrictor plates) will explain that reasoning.
Sunday at ‘Dega, Todd Gilliland was closest to Chase Briscoe at the finish, with Ty Gibbs behind him. Cole Custer was fifth and Zane Smith got a top-10.
No offfense, fellas, these things only happen when the competition is squeezed together by artificial means. Or since the rulebook squeeezes everywhere, we should say further squeezed.
So Denny Hamlin stays atop our pile, and Chris Buescher stays in that 10th spot, running well enough nearly every week to keep us wondering how in the hell he missed the playoffs.
1. Denny Hamlin
Working that joy stick to the nub while Phoenix is plugged into the simulator these days.
2. Christopher Bell
Lots to worry about at Martinsville as he hopes to put a third Gibbs car into Championship Four. At least he still leads the “Winston Cup” standings …
3. Kyle Larson
Also worried. It’d be a nice time to break that unseemly winless funk. It’s been over five months now.
4. Chase Briscoe
First plate-race win was an important one for the pride of Mitchell, Indiana (Pop. 3,964, give or take).
5. Chase Elliott
The People’s Chase is down to a chip and a chair, but that’s about all. Oh, and a dedicated fan base.
6. Joey Logano
He wouldn’t, would he? He has just one win in 33 Marsinsville starts.
7. Ryan Blaney
Mr. Hunch likes Mr. Clutch this week.
8. William Byron
Like Blaney, Billy the Kid has two recent wins at Martinsville, but he’s been a dud in the playoffs.
9. Tyler Reddick
Thinks Martinsville was named for Mark.
10. Chris Buscher
56 points ahead of Ryan Preece for that coveted 17th spot in the final standings. Best of the Rest!
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
