NASCAR Cup Series: Early 2020 power rankings

By Asher Fair | Feb 1, 2020

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, lead the field at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, leads Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

#6 and #5

#6. . No. 11. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. DENNY HAMLIN

Denny Hamlin proved in 2019 that he is not washed up after a 2018 season that left many fans doubting that he still had what it took to compete at a high level. But the 2019 season has been described as a “dream season” for Hamlin, yet he still came up short in what was just his second Championship 4 appearance, finishing in last among the four contenders. He will need to be just as good if not better in 2020 to even get back to that point where he has a chance to compete for a title. Does he have it in him?

CHASE ELLIOTT. #5. . No. 9. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

Four drivers have qualified for the round of 8 in each of the last three years. Three of them have been to each of the last three Championship 4s. The other is Chase Elliott, who is still seeking his first Championship 4 appearance. Ever since winning for the first time at Watkins Glen International in August of 2018, he has been a proven frontrunner at most tracks. Only Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. have won more races than he has since that time. But he still needs to get over that round of 8 hump, so #5 makes sense.

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