The Sprint Cup Series might have been off this past weekend, but Power Rankings still runs strong. A lot has been said about drivers making their marks in the Nationwide and Truck Series this season so far, and there is an interesting mix of backgrounds. Some carry the names of their successful parents, some are looking to find their way back to the Sprint Cup Series from which they came and others are just looking to make a name for themselves in second-tier equipment.
There is most certainly a mixed bag of experience and talent. Throw in the occasional Sprint Cup Series driver looking for a win and you have the perfect recipe for great racing. Say what you want about the sport and the direction it is heading. The up-and-coming talent should make anyone excited about the future of NASCAR.
The dirt track at Eldora and Indianapolis are up next this weekend. But first, see if your favorite driver from the Nationwide and Truck Series made the cut.
How The Rankings Are Calculated: Frontstretch does our power rankings similar to how the Associated Press does them for basketball or football. Our expert stable of NASCAR writers, both on staff and from other major publications will vote for the Top 20 on a 20-19-18-17… 3-2-1 basis, giving 20 points to their first-place driver, 19 for second, and so on. In the end, Mike Mehedin calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and… here you go!
Rank |
Change |
Name |
Total Votes |
1 |
![]() First Place Votes: 8
|
160 |
|
2 |
![]() Ryan BlaneySurprised he hasn’t been more effective in the Truck Series. But he has impressed in a Nationwide car. Needs to be full-time in the Nationwide Series for the next two seasons and then Cup will be calling. Jim Noble, ESPN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/PRN First Place Votes: 2 |
128 |
|
3 |
|
122 |
|
4 |
|
116 |
|
5 |
![]() Chris BuescherAbsolutely incredible Buescher is eighth in points after missing the season opener at Daytona. Has finishes of fifth and eighth in his last two starts. Buescher and the No. 60 team are making major gains each week and don’t be surprised if they are contending for wins soon. Justin Tucker, Frontstretch.com |
105 |
|
6 |
|
93 |
|
6 |
|
90 |
|
T-8 |
|
69 |
|
T-8 |
|
69 |
|
10 |
|
65 |
|
11 |
|
58 |
|
12 |
|
55 |
|
13 |
|
53 |
|
14 |
|
41 |
|
15 |
|
36 |
Others Receiving Votes: Ben Kennedy (35), Joey Coulter (31), Ryan Sieg (30), Landon Cassill (28), Elliott Sadler (24), Sam Hornish Jr. (22), German Quiroga (20), Tyler Reddick (20), Ross Chastain (11), John Wes Townley (11), Johnny Sauter (10), Timothy Peters (8), Corey LaJoie (8), Mason Mingus (7), Cole Custer (6), Austin Theriault (6), Dakoda Aromstrong (5), Gray Gaulding (4), Ron Hornaday Jr. (1)
Participants: Phil Allaway, Frontstretch.com; Tom Bowles, Frontstretch.com; Kelly Crandall, PopularSpeed.com; Dwight Drum, RaceTake.com; Michael Mehedin, Frontstretch.com; Jim Noble, ESPN, SiriusXM NASCAR/PRN; Justin Tucker, Frontstretch.com; Jeff Wolfe, Frontstretch.com