NASCAR Cup Series: Way-too-early 2021 power rankings
By Asher Fair
Way-too-early 2021 NASCAR Power Rankings: #22 and #21
#22. . No. 43. Richard Petty Motorsports, Chevrolet. ERIK JONES
Erik Jones needed a change of scenery after a disappointing stint at Joe Gibbs Racing that saw him win only two races over three seasons, including none in a 2020 season that did not even result in a playoff berth, while his teammates during those seasons combined to win a whopping 35 races. That is what he is set to get, and landing at Richard Petty Motorsports was probably the best thing that could’ve happened to him. He is the team’s lone driver and their primary focus, something that was never the case at Joe Gibbs Racing, and the 2020 season saw Richard Petty Motorsports make some decent strides with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel of the #43 Chevrolet. Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the playoffs.
BUBBA WALLACE. #21. . No. 23. 23XI Racing, Toyota
Speaking of Bubba Wallace, he comes in at #21 in these rankings after making the move to the new team started by Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing. This team will have a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, and their goal is to make Wallace a regular contender as soon as possible, but many expect it to take a season or two to adjust before they really become a force. However, this is still Wallace’s best opportunity at the Cup level, and it is not a stretch to believe that he is in for a career year, possibly even with a playoff berth.