The rankings below should be your clue, but just in case, don’t assume that this weekend’s crowned champ will find himself atop our season-ending power rankings.
We don’t let such things dictate our highly scientific method of appointning a top 10.
While NASCAR relies on something as topsy-turvy as a finishing order, we’re smarter. We’re big on vibes and such. And by “such,” we mean recent performance, especially performance not dictated by weirdness, happenstance, and any other non-vibe and/or non-scientific element you want to introduce.
That explains why we’re not jumping head-long onto the William Byron bandwagon this week, and why we’re still high on Christopher Bell, in spite of his supporting-actor role this coming weekend in Phoenix.
1. Chase Briscoe
He’ll bring a new engine to Phoenix, we assume. That Martinsville puker went to the landfill.
2. Christopher Bell
Eighth or better in each start since August. That’s good for second here, but he probably doesn’t care.
3. Denny Hamlin
Don’t bring it up; he knows. Twenty years and counting.
4. William Byron
Let’s pencil him in for third at Phoenix, since he’s finished third in the last three championship races
5. Kyle Larson
No better time to end winless skid, which has gotten ridiculous by the way. No champagne since mid-May? Come on!
6. Chase Elliott
Still the most popular Chase. As will be obvious when that vote is announced.
7. Ryan Blaney
His feet will be in Phoenix this week, but his heart will be on Lake Norman.
8. Tyler Reddick
Too late, but he’s piecing together decent finishes lately.
9. Joey Logano
No magic this year for the defending champ. Sad? I didn’t think so.
10. Ryan Preece
He takes his shot at ‘best of the rest’ title now that Chris Buescher has nose-dived in recent weeks.
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver power rankings entering Phoenix championship race. Where’s Denny Hamlin?
Reporting by Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
