NASCAR Power Rankings: Denny Hamlin calls his shot

Despite running up front during the beginning of the race, William Byron just didn’t have it in the latter stages like his teammates did. A DNF thanks to a wreck that was no fault of his own, he was collateral damage.

Three wins on the season and he has top-10 speed every single week he’s on the track. Byron has proven to be the most versatile driver so far this season. His teammate below could change that quickly, though.

2. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

P2 and another stage win. Kyle Larson has six stage wins on the year, no other driver has more than two on the season. He has top-5 speed every week and with his talent he can utilize it whenever he wants.

He doesn’t have multiple wins, yet. But if you look at 2021, this year is almost a mirror of his early season performance that season. Larson went on to win ten races that season on his way to the championship.

3. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (+2)

Three wins on the season, but they are also his only top-5 finishes in 2024. Denny Hamlin is going the checkers or wreckers route and early, it’s working.

Hamlin is a polarizing figure in the sport. It’s great that he’s winning at this clip. He now joins Lee Petty for 12th all-time in wins at 54. So, he’s moving up the NASCAR Power Rankings.

4. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (-)

Chase Elliott doesn’t go anywhere this week in the NASCAR Power Rankings. He had a great day, top-5 performance. Elliott passed a lot of cars on his way to a finish he should be getting often.

That win at Texas may have awoken the championship-level driver that Elliott has inside of him. Between these top three Hendrick drivers, I’m not sure which one to watch for the championship this season.

5. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-2)

Early in this Dover race, Tyler Reddick looked like a contender. Then he had some pit road issues and wasn’t as great in dirty air. P11 on the day, he should have had a top-10 finish.

Reddick won at Talladega and I think that will open the door for him to get more wins. It’s just hard to put these top-5 drivers in any kind of order. That win and his top-5 finishes, do count for something though.

6. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

So close to winning, but so far. I am starting to get worried that we could see another season like 2022 for Truex Jr. He has speed but so far has not been able to breakthrough and get a win this year.

It is too early to get too worried about this 19 team. They have had speed and if they keep showing up with that speed, one of these races, they are going to lead a ton of laps and grab that checkered flag.

7. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske

No other Ford driver has been as consistent as Ryan Blaney. This is another team that is just waiting to grab a win. The defending champion has shown up this year and led his manufacturer proudly.

Blaney needs to start having those finishes near the front, have true winning speed. This year the championship race feels like it could go to a handful of drivers and Blaney is included in that.

8. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports

The other Hendrick drivers are outshining Alex Bowman a bit, but he’s been solid this season. Ninth in the points and four top-5s, Bowman should be happy about how his season has gone. I mean, besides missing out on the Daytona 500 by inches.

I think that Bowman could come on strong during the summer or just before the playoffs. Don’t be shocked if he gets hot and wins a race or two.

9. Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing

While Ty Gibbs isn’t as consistent as he was in the first few weeks of the season, he belongs in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Gibbs avoids danger, wrecks, and gets his car across the finish line each week.

Gibbs has shown maturity and patience in his sophomore campaign. If he keeps at it, especially on these road courses coming up, he could find himself in Victory Lane.

10. Kyle Busch – Richard Childress Racing

Welcome back to the NASCAR Power Rankings, Kyle Busch. Rowdy had a rough few weeks but now things seem to have leveled out? I’m going to go against my better judgement and put faith in RCR that they have somewhat made improvements.

It was promising that his pit crew didn’t have any major mistakes. He won the pole at Dover. He just didn’t have winning speed. Get winning speed and then we’ll talk about moving up more.