The NASCAR Power Rankings enter Week 2. This week, the stock car circus is heading to EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. Everyone’s favorite recently renamed track on the schedule. We know, regardless of what you call the facility, the racing is going to be hot.
Knowing that this is another drafting track, that will factor into how these rankings shake out this week here at Athlon Sports. Along with the racing at Kansas Speedway, the new configuration at Atlanta has been an action track the last few years.
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Next to the Crown Jewel races, there is perhaps no race more anticipated on the schedule than the two dates at EchoPark Speedway. The Daytona 500 revealed a few things to us that the final results won’t show, and it’s too early to be making too many major changes and decisions.
So, let’s get into the top teams in the Cup Series and name a few of the favorites going into this weekend’s race. It will be unpredictable, exciting, and there will be torn-up race cars. But as we saw at Daytona, there is a chance for a little magic to happen as well.
PREVIOUS 2026 RANKINGS: Daytona 500
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10) Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (-6 Spots)
A tough end to the day for Chase Briscoe. He was bumped by Cody Ware and shot to the inside of the track. In the process, Austin Dillon zigged instead of zagged, went low, and collided with Briscoe.
While the final result wasn’t what he wanted, I’m not giving up on the 19 team this week. It felt like if anyone had to fall really far out of the rankings, it had to be him due to when he wrecked, where he finished, and how many stage points he picked up through the race and Duels.
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9) Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-3)
NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell (20) during qualifying for the Daytona 500.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Falling down a few spots here like others in the NASCAR Power Rankings this week, Christopher Bell is the defending winner of this Atlanta race. He won the race last February when the caution came out on the last lap in a three-wide finish with Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson.
Bell was leading the inside line when Denny Hamlin and Justin Allgaier collided and caused that massive wreck. Who knows if he would have won, but he would have done better than P31.
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8) Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-3)
It’s a shame that Kyle Larson can never catch a break. However, it is always impressive to watch what Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 crew can do to get these cars back on the track.
At one point, Larson didn’t have a right front fender. Still, he finished P16 among all of the wreckage on the final lap. He did well in Atlanta a year ago, can he follow it up this week and keep his car clean?
7) Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (+3)
Chris Buescher during driver introductions at Circuit of the Americas.Jamie Harms-Imagn Images
(Jamie Harms-Imagn Images)
P7 in the race, 7th in the NASCAR Power Rankings. Chris Buescher had a solid Daytona 500 experience. At least he made it out of the chaos at the end cleanly. Brad Keselowski can’t say the same.
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Buescher is in search of a win this season. It felt like the 2023 season was a break out year for him when he won three races in five weeks. He just hasn’t been able to replicate that success in the last two years.
6) Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+2)
A stage win under caution, led the most laps, and came away with a really good chunk of points. At one point, it looked like he was going to have a run on the last lap, but it was shut down when William Byron got a little sideways and the two almost wrecked together.
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Wallace decided to lift there and attempt to get another run. It didn’t work out in his favor. However, his teammate won the race. Don’t worry, we’ll talk about that.
5) Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-2)
Denny Hamlin waves to the crowd during driver introductions at the Daytona 500. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
((Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images))
The collision with Justin Allgaier was the nail in the coffin for Denny Hamlin and his hopes of a fourth Daytona 500. Still, as a team owner, he picks up his first, and that has to count for something.
Hamlin was leading the race when he wrecked with the 40 car. Going to Atlanta, Hamlin is going to have to try and do something different. His recent finishes there since the reconfiguration have not been the best.
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4) William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-2)
I’m still very high on William Byron this season. While he didn’t have the best Daytona 500 experience this year after going back-to-back the last two seasons, he’s going to be one of the most consistent drivers. In the Chase, that will benefit him.
Byron and Rudy Fugle are a duo that should be respected every week. Unless this team just can’t get it together for some reason, they will be in the top half of these Power Rankings likely every week.
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3) Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+4)
Chase Elliott stands on pit road during NASCAR Cup Series qualifying.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
While it has been awesome to see the win for Tyler Reddick and Michael Jordan celebrating and all of the fanfare, imagine if Chase Elliott had gotten it done? Elliott was so close to achieving his first Daytona 500 win, and it just slipped away in an instant.
Of course, Elliott won the last Atlanta race from last fall. He’s the hometown hero this weekend, so why not run it back and do it all over again? Besides, Elliott did win a Duel race. That has to count for something, right?
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2) Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-1)
While Ryan Blaney didn’t get a great finish, he is 10th in points. P27, but thanks to his performance in the Duels and the stages, he has more points than two drivers who finished in the top-10, that’s impressive.
Blaney is a driver who could win this weekend. He has won by the narrowest of margins at other drafting tracks. There’s no reason why he can’t do it this time, right? Besides, we’re used to Atlanta producing wild finishes. But could it possibly top the finish to Daytona?
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1) Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (NR)
Michael Jordan and Tyler Reddick celebrate the Daytona 500 win in Victory Lane. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
((Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images))
Foolish me, not ranking Tyler Reddick last week. He shoots to the top of the NASCAR Power Rankings for his great moves at the end of the race, keeping his car clean, and positioning himself to win the race.
Reddick didn’t have any wins last season. Now, he starts the year with the biggest win of all. Still, this is a long season, and he’s going to have to keep up the pace if he wants to become a NASCAR champion at the end of the year.
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Related: NASCAR Standings 2026: Updated Points After the Daytona 500
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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