NASCAR: Xfinity Series Team Power Rankings After Darlington

Denny Hamlin took the victory from the NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars on Saturday at Darlington Raceway. How does this shuffle things for the teams?

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

Which teams sit atop the Xfinity Series team power rankings after the SportClips/VFW 200 at Darlington?

The race was won by Denny Hamlin, who is a full-time Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and drove for the team en route to the Xfinity Series victory.

Does that make Joe Gibbs Racing #1 in the Xfinity Series team power rankings just like they are in the Cup Series power rankings?

Ready on to find out.

GMS RAcing

Spencer Gallagher and Ben Kennedy, Chevrolet

#10

The argument that Ben Kennedy is more worthy of a full-time Xfinity Series ride than Spencer Gallagher continues. Kennedy’s journeyman season between GMS and RCR has worked well for him in terms of performance, while Gallagher’s poor rookie run may have stunted the team’s growth into the Cup Series. So, who should really be the face of GMS?

King Autosport

Brandon Brown, Chevrolet

A little-known team with a rotating cast of drivers got a lot of press today at Darlington Raceway. Brandon Brown, a local boy from South Carolina, drove a Dunleavy throwback car into the top 20 consistently throughout the 200-mile race. A student at Coastal Carolina University, he will transition back from racecar driver to student tomorrow, but many will still be talking about his drive on Saturday.

ROUSH FENWAY RACING

Ryan Reed, Ford

Has Roush-Fenway built up a collection of drivers with restrictor plate prowess? In addition to Cup Series drivers Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Xfinity Series regular Ryan Reed has only one at the big high-banked tracks, specifically Daytona. Elsewhere, Reed seems to blend into the scenery. This does not bode well for the upcoming playoffs.

KAULIG RACING

Blake Koch, Chevrolet

Blake Koch brought his #11 Darrell Waltrip throwback ride home in 11th place on Saturday, and looks to be in a comfortable position to advance into the Xfinity Series playoffs. However, unlike in 2016, his Kaulig Racing team has not shown the ability to advance beyond the first round. But could this small team still have a few tricks up their sleeve?

Richard Childress Racing

Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon,

Brandon Jones and Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet

Five cars, but none in the top 5? Many were heralding the abilities of Daniel Hemric early in the race, only to fall back outside the top 10. Brendan Gaughan struggled with a mishandling car most of the day. Brandon Jones was nowhere to be seen. And the Dillon brothers were at the rear of the Cup driver parade. So what’s wrong at RCR?

Chip Ganassi Racing

Tyler Reddick and Brennan Poole, Chevrolet

Kyle Larson sat out of the Xfinity Series race at Darlington for the first time in years, allowing Tyler Reddick his first chance to see the Lady in Black. Ultimately, neither CGR car was a true contender on Saturday, but Brennan Poole put in a strong effort for his family and friends back home in Texas, who need the good news.

STEWART-HAAS RACING

Cole Custer and Kevin Harvick, Ford

There were actually two winners at Stewart-Haas Racing today at Darlington. Kevin Harvick won both the first and second stages of the race before having to settle for 3rd at the end of the day. Cole Custer won the battle of the throwback schemes, with most in the garage singing the praises of his Sam Ard car.

Team Penske

Joey Logano, Ford

The summer doldrums for Team Penske are over in the Xfinity Series. Joey Logano was frequently found near the front of the field on Saturday at Darlington, and was one turn away from stealing a win at the Lady in Black. If not for a crossover move by Hamlin, the #22 would be back in Victory Lane again in 2017.

JR MOTORSPORTS

William Byron, Elliott Sadler,

Michael Annett and Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet

William Byron pulled off a feat rarely seen from a rookie at Darlington Raceway. He earned a solid top five on Saturday, the first since Chase Elliott won as a rookie in the same #9 car. Justin Allgaier and Elliott Sadler were also solid for JRM, while Michael Annett could not keep up the positive momentum from Road America.

NEXT: Xfinity Series Standings Heading Into The Glen

JOE GIBBS RACING

Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin and Matt Tifft, Toyota
#1

Despite being down to two cars very early in the SportClips / VFW 200, Joe Gibbs Racing still looked very strong at Darlington. Matt Tifft lost a chance to earn valuable points by wrecking out on the first lap, but Denny Hamlin winning and Erik Jones earning a top 5 helps cushion the blow for the team.

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