NASCAR Driver Power Rankings: Martin Truex Jr. still up top after Darlington
By Asher Fair
#5 through #1
KYLE LARSON. #5. [Last Race: 3rd (-2)] — Kyle Larson tied race winner Denny Hamlin for the most laps led at Darlington, but he was unable to convert that into a good finish. He ultimately ended up finishing in 14th place, which is not good for a championship contender as the playoffs quickly approach.. No. 42. Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet
#4. [Last Race: 4th (-)] — Kevin Harvick was at Darlington what he has been all season long, and that is solid. After starting from pole, he ended up finishing in 9th place for his sixth top 9 finish in the last eight races. While he has just one win this season, he should not be slept on in the playoffs.. No. 4. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. KEVIN HARVICK
DENNY HAMLIN. #3. [Last Race: 5th (+2)] — The hottest driver in NASCAR stayed hot with his second win in the last seven races at Darlington. Denny Hamlin’s win gives him eight top 4 finishes in the last 11 races now. Make no mistake about it; Hamlin is a legitimate championship contender.. No. 11. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
KYLE BUSCH. #2. [Last Race: 2nd (-)] — While he was unable to win for the third time in the last five races, Kyle Busch did finished in 2nd place to give himself two consecutive top 2 results and five consecutive top 10 results. As a result of his hot streak, he maintains his spot at #2 in these rankings.. No. 18. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
[Last Race: 1st (-)] — Martin Truex Jr. secured the regular season points title with an 8th place finish at Darlington despite the fact that he lost the lead late in the race. His leads in the championship standings, stage points and playoff points are all still huge, and he still leads all drivers in wins this season with four. He is the clear #1 in these rankings.. No. 78. Furniture Row Racing, Toyota. MARTIN TRUEX JR.. #1
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The NASCAR Cup Series gets back into racing action on Saturday, September 9th at Richmond in the 26th and final regular season race of the season.
Can Martin Truex Jr. hang on to his lead in these rankings? He has already secured the regular season points title, but anything can happen?
Which drivers will have a jumps into the rankings? Which drivers will have plummets out of their current solid spots? Stay tuned to find out following the action from Richmond this Saturday.
Next: NASCAR Cup Series Standings
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