Race Weekend Central

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Las Vegas

NASCAR headed west this weekend for a little viva Las Vegas. It’s no secret that any title fight worth the price of admission can be found in the neon glow of the Nevada desert. Martin Truex Jr. took on all challengers and delivered a knockout blow; he’s the first to win all three stages in a race under the sport’s new format. While the post-race scrum on pit road stole much of the fanfare, it did little to curb the enthusiasm of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing team.

While Truex was cruising, former teammates Kyle Busch and Joey Logano were bruising each other; they found themselves in the middle of a melee after the race. Busch felt that he had been dumped by Logano on the final lap, costing him a likely top-five finish.

So once the dust settled, which drivers did our media members feel struck gold in Vegas and which ones rolled snake eyes? While chances are slim that any of our contributors had to be separated by NASCAR officials, they still gave us some rankings that pack a punch.

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 10 on a 10-9-8-7… 3-2-1 basis, giving 10 points to their first-place driver, 9 for second, and so on. In the end, Frank Velat calculates the points, adds some funny one-liners, and… here you go!

 2017 Top 10 After Las Vegas

Rank
Change
Name
Total Votes

1

+2

(Photo: NASCAR)

Brad Keselowski

If it wasn’t for a late-race mechanical problem last Sunday, Brad K’s win total for 2017 would match his car number. Rob Tiongson, The Podium Finish

First Place Votes: 4

55

2

+3

(Photo: NASCAR)

Kyle Larson

12th, second, second. Could we finally be seeing the transition to weekly contender for Larson in Cup season four? Tom Bowles, Frontstretch 

52

3

 +5
(Photo: NASCAR)

Martin Truex Jr.

He hit for the cycle on Sunday. In the past for Truex, that would’ve meant three horribly unfortunate incidents happened to keep his pace-setting car out of Victory Lane. Michael Massie, Frontstretch 

First Place Votes: 2

47

4

+2

(Photo: NASCAR)

Joey Logano

He may not make a lot of friends on the track but his determined, aggressive driving style will be beneficial as the season progresses.  Rob Tiongson

44

5

-3

(Photo: NASCAR)

Chase Elliott

The first win is very close for the Georgian babyface.  It’s a matter of when now. Phil Allaway, Frontstretch

 

40

6

 -5

(Photo: NASCAR)

Kevin Harvick

With the way his luck has been in 2017, one can only hope Harvick had enough sense to stay away from the blackjack tables last week. Truex knows that feeling all too well. Frank Velat, Frontstretch 

24

7

 -3
(Photo: NASCAR)

Kurt Busch

Not a good day, but having won the Daytona 500 should give the No. 41 team confidence to rebound quickly. Bryan Gable, Frontstretch

20

8

+1

(Photo: NASCAR)

Ryan Blaney

Blaney is reaping the benefits of Ford’s dominance in the Cup Series this year as the little brother to the Penske boys. He came up just short of his second top-five finish of the year after having just three in all of 2016. Pete McCole, Auto Racing 1 

18

9

 -2

(Photo: NASCAR)

Kasey Kahne

Currently on the “make” side of his make-or-break season with Hendrick Motorsports. How rare is it that the 5/24 side of the Hendrick shop is light years ahead of the 48/88? Tom Bowles

15

10

 

(Photo: NASCAR)

Jamie McMurray

Did anyone else realize that he’s 40 years old? Since when did he become one of the old guys in the sport? Michael Massie

6

Others Receiving Votes: Kyle Busch (5), Matt Kenseth (4), Trevor Bayne (2), Aric Almirola (1)

Who Voted: Phil Allaway, Frontstretch; Tom Bowles, Frontstretch; Michael Massie, Frontstretch; Pete McCole, Auto Racing 1; Rob Tiongson, The Podium Finish; Frank Velat, Frontstretch.

About the author

Frank Velat has been an avid follower of NASCAR and other motorsports for over 20 years. He brings a blend of passionate fan and objective author to his work. Frank offers unique perspectives that everyone can relate to, remembering the sport's past all the while embracing its future. Follow along with @FrankVelat on Twitter.

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