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NASCAR Cup Series: 2018 preseason driver power rankings

By Asher Fair

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

#4 through #1

#4. Despite having no career Cup Series victories in two full seasons, Chase Elliott is already one of the top drivers in the sport. He finished in 5th place in the championship standings in the 2017 season as the only driver in the top 10 without a win. Once he starts winning, he may be tough to stop. With four of his seven career 2nd place finishes coming in the 10 races that made up the 2017 playoffs, he carries tons of momentum into the 2018 season.. No. 9. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. CHASE ELLIOTT

#3. Kyle Larson was one of the top three drivers in the sport for the majority of the 2017 season. However, issues in the round of 12 in the playoffs prevented him from even getting to the round of 8, much less the Championship 4. But given how strong he was in 2017 with four wins as well as the fact that he is a young, up-and-coming driver, he should be one of the top three drivers in the sport again in the 2018 season at the very least.. No. 42. Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet. KYLE LARSON

Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. KYLE BUSCH. #2. Kyle Busch secured five victories in the 2017 season, which was good for the second highest total among all drivers. He secured those five victories despite not winning any of the first 20 races of the season. While a 2nd place finish in the 2017 championship standings wasn’t what he wanted to end up with, he still finished the 2017 season with tons of momentum that he will likely carry over into the 2018 season to contend for another title.. No. 18

Furniture Row Racing, Toyota. MARTIN TRUEX JR.. #1. Martin Truex Jr. had a dominant 2017 season during which he secured eight victories. In fact, for the second consecutive season, he more than doubled his career win total. Even if he takes a small step back in 2018, he will still be the top driver in the sport; that’s just how dominant he was last year. Until another driver proves otherwise, the defending Cup Series champion deserves the #1 spot in these power rankings.. No. 78

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