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Xfinity Series Team Power Rankings After Iowa

By Alex Herbst

NEWTON, IA - JULY 29: Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series US Cellular 250 Presented by American Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on July 29, 2017 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
NEWTON, IA - JULY 29: Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series US Cellular 250 Presented by American Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on July 29, 2017 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Preece earned his first career win with Joe Gibbs Racing on Saturday at Iowa Speedway. But did that shift the balance of power between the teams?

NOTE:  The “Last rank” category includes each team’s ranking in the previous edition of the Xfinity Series team power rankings.

Not Ranked This Week:

  • JD Motorsports
  • B.J. McLeod Motorsports
  • Harmon Racing
  • MBM Racing
  • SS-Green Light Racing
  • GMS Racing
  • Means Racing
  • King Autosport
  • RSS Racing
  • Shepherd Racing Ventures

JGL Racing

Dakoda Armstrong and Jeb Burton, Toyota

#10

Last Week: 9th (-1)

After a very memorable performance for Dakoda Armstrong last time out at Iowa Speedway, the Saturday afternoon event in July was not so kind. Neither of the JGL Racing cars were true contenders in the US Cellular 250, though Armstrong was helped in his effort to stay in the playoffs by a non-regular winning.

TriStar Motorsports

JJ Yeley, Toyota

#9

Last Week: NR (+2)

The stunning loss of team owner Mark Smith seemingly galvanized the TriStar Motorsports team and its driver at Iowa. The team turned out a 6th place performance, one that will make the Smith family smile some in this difficult time. It also helps keep the #14 Toyota in the playoff hunt.

Roush-Fenway Racing

Ryan Reed, Ford

#8

Last Week: 7th (-1)

Ryan Reed’s Iowa Speedway experience was one to forget, and not exactly what he needed heading into the first road course of the season. The second half of the year has been inconsistent for the #16 team, something they must correct before Kentucky in September.

Kaulig Racing

Blake Koch, Chevrolet

#7

Last Week: 8th (+1)

Speed is the name of the game in NASCAR racing, and Kaulig Racing had it on Saturday in the cornfields of Iowa. A solid day spent inside the top ten mostly for Blake Koch leads into some strong tracks for the driver of the #11, including Road America, where he nearly earned his first win.

Team Penske

Sam Hornish Jr., Ford

#6

Last Week: 5th (-1)

There is no questioning Sam Hornish Jr.’s credentials in racing, whether in open wheel or stock cars. But two consecutive DNFs for Team Penske is not what the team planned for when they brought him back part time. The road courses will be his last chance to right what has gone wrong with the #22.

Richard Childress Racing

Daniel Hemric, Brian Scott, Ben Kennedy,

Brandon Jones and Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet

#5

Last Week: 6th (+1)

Brian Scott was a welcome surprise for RCR on Saturday, returning to racing for the first time since the Cup Series finale last year. It was also his first race in the Xfinity Series since Homestead in 2015. A third place finish helped knock off his rust. His teammate must’ve picked up the rust he knocked off, though.

STEWART-HAAS RACING

Cole Custer, Ford

#4

Last Week: 4th (NC)

The clock is ticking for Cole Custer to get a win in 2017, but many still believe it will only be a matter of time. Considering his strength on the road courses in the Truck Series previously, expected the #00 Ford to be near the front next weekend at Watkins Glen.

CHIP GANASSI RACING

Tyler Reddick and Brennan Poole, Chevrolet

#3

Last Week: 3rd (NC)

Tyler Reddick’s bad luck continued in Iowa, with Bristol being his next opportunity to turn it around. Brennan Poole, however, was a contender throughout the day, and could have been in position for a win if not for the Joe Gibbs Racing duo.

JR Motorsports

William Byron, Elliott Sadler,

Michael Annett and Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet

#2

Last Week: 1st (-1)

What happened to JR Motorsports in Iowa? William Byron brought his car home ninth, the best of the four drivers in the stable. Justin Allgaier was in line for the victory, if not for a poor pit strategy call. The balance of power may be beginning to shift away from Dale Jr.’s team.

NEXT: Xfinity Series Standings Heading Into The Glen

Joe Gibbs Racing

Ryan Preece, Kyle Benjamin, and Matt Tifft, Toyota
#1

Last Week: 2nd (+1)

When you’re racing for your future in the Xfinity Series, that certainly lights a fire under the feet of a driver. JGR had two drivers in that position in Iowa with Ryan Preece and Kyle Benjamin. Both proved their worth, finishing first and second respectively on Saturday. Either one would be a good hire for a full-time ride in 2018.

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