In the latest power rankings for NASCAR Cup Series drivers based on recent performance, Tyler Reddick and Brad Keselowski saw significant jumps following their impressive finishes at Talladega. Reddick, with his win, moved from sixth to second in the rankings, thanks to his five consecutive top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, Keselowski jumped back into the rankings after finishing second, marking his fourth top-5 finish in his last seven races. Among the surprising stats highlighted was Chase Elliott’s best average finish among active drivers during the Next Gen era, sitting at 12.48.
The power rankings are based on the Racing Insights database, tracking driver performance in the Next Gen era from 2022 to 2024. William Byron currently holds the top spot, with 11 victories, while Reddick follows closely behind with six wins and an average finish of 16.15. Kyle Larson ranks third, with nine wins and 32 top-5 finishes, although he is eighth overall in average finish at 14.16. Chase Elliott holds the top spot in average finish at 12.48, with six wins to his name despite missing races last year.
Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Brad Keselowski round out the top six in the rankings, with impressive performances in the Next Gen era. Martin Truex Jr. sits in eighth place, with stats that defy his ranking, such as being third overall in average finish at 13.63 despite fewer top-5 and top-10 finishes than some of his competitors. Ty Gibbs is 20th in average finish, seeking his first Cup victory, while Alex Bowman sits at 14th with a 16.55 average finish. The rankings also mention drivers on the verge of breaking into the top 10, including Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace.
Bob Pockrass, the author of the rankings, is a FOX NASCAR Insider with decades of experience covering motorsports. He has covered over 30 Daytona 500s and has worked for ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine, and The News-Journal in Daytona Beach. Fans can follow Pockrass on Twitter @bobpockrass to stay updated on NASCAR news and insights. As the season progresses, the power rankings will continue to reflect the performance of drivers in the Next Gen era, showcasing their achievements and statistics for fans to follow and discuss.
