NASCAR Driver Power Rankings: Martin Truex Jr. still up top after Darlington
By Asher Fair
After the 25th of 36 races this season at Darlington, how do the NASCAR Cup Series driver power rankings look?
With 25 races down, there is just one races for NASCAR drivers to lock up a spot for themselves in the playoffs. Which drivers have the best chance of doing so with the new playoff format?
Here are the updated NASCAR Cup Series driver power rankings following the action from the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a race won by Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing.
NOTE: The “Last Race” category includes each driver’s rankings in the previous edition of the NASCAR driver power rankings.
Not Ranked
- Ryan Blaney, #21, Wood Brothers Racing, Ford (-2)
- Clint Bowyer, #14, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
- Ryan Newman, #31, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
- Daniel Suarez, #19, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
- Joey Logano, #22, Team Penske, Ford
- Kasey Kahne, #5, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #17, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford
- Austin Dillon, #3, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
- Trevor Bayne, #6, Roush Fenway Racing, Ford
- Ty Dillon, #13, Germain Racing, Chevrolet
- Aric Almirola, #43, Richard Petty Motorsports, Ford
- Paul Menard, #27, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
- Dale Earnhardt Jr., #88, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
- Chris Buescher, #37, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet
- David Ragan, #38, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
- Michael McDowell, #95, Leavine Family Racing, Chevrolet
- Cole Whitt, #72, TriStar Motorsports, Chevrolet/Ford
- AJ Allmendinger, #47, JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet
- Landon Cassill, #34, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
- Matt DiBenedetto, #32, Go FAS Racing, Ford
- Danica Patrick, #10, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
- Corey Lajoie, #83, BK Racing, Toyota
- Reed Sorenson, #15, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet/Toyota
- Gray Gaulding, #23, BK Racing, Toyota
- Jeffrey Earnhardt, #33, Circle Sport/TMG, Chevrolet
- Michael Waltrip, #15, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet/Toyota
- Derrike Cope, #55, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet/Toyota
- DJ Kennington, #96, Gaunt Brothers Racing, Toyota
- Cody Ware, #55, Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet/Toyota
Honorable Mentions
HM. [Last Race: Honorable Mention (-)] — Even with no finishes higher than 10th place in the last 12 races, Jimmie Johnson maintains his spot as an honorable mention in these rankings. He does have three wins this year, and he is a 7-time champion who knows how to win when it matters most.. No. 48. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. JIMMIE JOHNSON
[Last Race: Not Ranked (+2)] — Kurt Busch finished on the podium at Darlington for the first time since he won the Daytona 500 to open up the season. The 3rd place finish was his second consecutive top 5 finish, which gives him momentum as the playoffs quickly approach.. No. 41. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. KURT BUSCH. HM