NASCAR on TV this week

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 10: NASCAR Cup Series Power Rankings After Darlington

by

For the fourth straight year, NASCAR throwback took the center stage this weekend in Darlington. As the grandstands were packed, it’s truly a crown jewel race that is a must-see for any NASCAR fans and a must-win for any NASCAR driver. NASCAR Hall of Famers like Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and others have a Southern 500 victory on their resume and on Sunday, another driver added his name to that list.

Brad Keselowski tallied his first victory of 2018 on Sunday by beating Kyle Larson off pit road with less than 25 laps remaining. Keselowski has clearly not had the speed lately but how did his victory throwback the power rankings for this weekend?

1. Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick honestly had the fastest car of the Big Three and that still didn’t mean much. The real problem facing Harvick this weekend was racing in the XFINITY Series on Saturday. Harvick and Ross Chastain were battling for the lead and when they entered the backstretch, things went south from there.

Harvick went on to blame Chastain for an incident that was clearly his fault. This has led to Harvick ultimately announcing that it’ll take a big deal for him to race in the XFINITY Series again.

So you’re saying that was all it took?

2. Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch had an interesting race on Sunday and much like the rest of the Big Three, not much came out of the No. 18 at least and it was just kind of odd, especially after the strong performance at Bristol by Busch.

Indianapolis has been a good track to Busch lately and it could be the place where he picks up his next victory.

3. Chase Elliott (+1)

As noted in the tweet below, Chase Elliott is one top 10 away from passing his longest career top 10 streak. Since his victory at Watkins Glen, it has been expected for him run up front and that is what he has done. Elliott missed out on the issues his Hendrick Motorsports teammates faced Sunday night which included two engine failures and a flat tire on the No. 88.

The name of the game for Elliott lately has been survival and that is a good way to enter an elimination style playoff.

4. Martin Truex Jr. (-1)

Things have been going awry for the driver of the No. 78. First, he doesn’t do very much in a race he dominated in 2016. On Tuesday, Furniture Row Racing announced it will cease operations following the 2018 season leaving Truex on the free agents’ list.

The latest news points to Truex heading to Joe Gibbs Racing replacing Daniel Suarez who could possibly be out of a ride when the music ends when the 2019 season comes to a start.

5. Erik Jones

Erik Jones was kinda just there on Sunday but still managed to round out an eighth-place finish. This is the momentum that is needed to head into the playoffs and has a consistent run but something will have to change and the organization will need to get better in order to compete against the other teams who have multiple victories.

6. Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch was running the same paint scheme that he ran when he finished second in 2003 to Ricky Craven. Busch was one of those drivers who really was hurt by the pace of the race as he was trapped a lap down early and considering the number of cautions that faced the race, it was hard to get a lap back.

7. Ryan Blaney (+1)

Ryan Blaney was a part of the most bad-a$$ celebration in the history of post-race celebrations. Blaney had a strong piece himself but much like the rest of the field, just didn’t have the pace to keep up with way faster cars like the No. 42.

8. Clint Bowyer (-1)

Do you ever have those days where you’re riding on a Sunday and Monday just comes out of nowhere and you hit it like a wall?

That is how Clint Bowyer felt on Sunday when he made hard contact with the No. 31 of Ryan Newman who was apparently pitting. Bowyer blamed lapped traffic for his terrific night and he had a reason to be irritated. The lapped traffic in all three series lately has just been a nuisance.

9. Brad Keselowski (NR)

Brad Keselowski was able to pick up his first crown jewel victory on Sunday but wasn’t able to pick up some Bojangles chicken after the race because the Media Center was out. Keselowski did state the Bojangles sponsorship has worked on him though.

10. Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson had the speed to contend against the Big Three on Sunday Night and it showed by the fact that he was lapping cars left and right. A late race loss on pit road by mere inches cost him the victory. Indianapolis hasn’t been one of his best tracks but if the speed is there, Larson could make a run for a victory to close out the regular season.

His favorite tracks on the circuit include Barber Motorsports Park, Iowa Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, and Bristol Motor Speedway.

During the season, Christian also spends time as a photographer with multiple other outlets shooting Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Minor League & Major League Baseball, and NCAA Football.

Home > Articles > Christian Koelle