NASCAR Power Rankings: Who Is the Favorite Heading Into Bristol?

A little short track action and Chase Elliott gets himself back in Victory Lane. A great win for the No. 9 team at Martinsville. So, how will it change the NASCAR Power Rankings?

So far this season, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Elliott are all winners. It won’t be a surprise if those four are fighting for a championship when it is all said and done at the end of the season.

There are some big changes in this week’s NASCAR Power Rankings. A one week break and then it is back to action at Bristol.

PREVIOUS 2026 RANKINGS: Daytona 500 – Atlanta – COTA – Phoenix – Las Vegas – Darlington – Martinsville

10. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (-3)

Things have not gone well the last two weeks for Bubba Wallace and his team. He drops from third in points to 11th. That’s not what he wants after having arguably the best five race start ever in his Cup Series career.

This season will be determined on how Wallace handles this off week and how he performs when he shows up to Bristol, Kansas, Talladega, and Texas. That is his time to shine, and bounce back. Other wise, he’s going to be on the Chase bubble sooner than later.

9. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing (+1)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (6) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.Peter Casey-Imagn Images

(Peter Casey-Imagn Images)

While he didn’t have a great race at Martinsville, Brad Keselowski did what he had to do. He’s 8th in points and has yet to finish worse than P20 through these first seven races.

Keselowski is off to a much better start in 2026 than in 2025. Perhaps bringing Jeremy Bullins to RFK Racing to reunite with Keselowski was a good idea after all.

8. Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

It feels like Kyle Larson is just one or two adjustments away from getting back to Victory Lane. Bristol in two weeks is going to be a big opportunity for him to get his first win of the season.

Larson has down well, but has two P32 finishes on the year. Limiting those mistakes and DNFs will be key to his championship run.

7. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (+1)

William Byron reacts after qualifying for pole position for the Shrines Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway.Gary A&period; Vasquez-Imagn Images

(Gary A&period; Vasquez-Imagn Images)

Four straight top-10 finishes and another top-five on the season, William Byron is also starting to look like he’s figuring things out in 2026. It is strange to not see Byron with a win at this point in the year. Usually, he’s one of the best in the start of the season and then tapers off.

Byron is going to get back to his winning ways. It’s a matter of when, not if. Sitting 5th in points, he is in a good place right now.

6. Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-1)

P7 for Christopher Bell at Martinsville is actually a little bit disappointing considering how good he can be at the Paperclip. Still, no one is going to complain too much about a solid finish.

Bell is on the cusp of winning a race. Could he make a considerable jump in performance over the short break?

5. Ty Gibbs – Joe Gibbs Racing (+1)

Ty Gibbs talks with fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Bob Goshert/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Five straight top-five finishes for Ty Gibbs after finishes of P23 and P37 to start the season. He is 6th in points, and if anyone is on the verge of getting a win, I’d put money on Gibbs.

The 54 team has looked fantastic lately and there is just one or two things this team needs before they finally get the job done. Could this be the break through season for Gibbs?

4. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske (-2)

These top four drivers are hard to separate from each other. Still, Ryan Blaney drops this weekend mostly as a result of Chase Elliott’s win. 2nd to 4th in the NASCAR Power Rankings could really be interchangeable.

Blaney is the best passer in the Cup Series. Even in an era where passing is at a premium and dirty air makes it difficult to get by others, Blaney makes it look relatively easy. Now if his pit crew can be more consistent…

3. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-)

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))

This week, Denny Hamlin doesn’t go anywhere. P2 with two stage wins, the fastest lap, pole award, most laps led, and most points earned…I think he earns the right to stay put.

Hamlin doesn’t look like he’s lost a step between last season and this one. He continues to impress on the track and just to add another accolade, he’s the only driver this season with two fastest lap awards.

2. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+2)

A big win for Chase Elliott and it is all thanks to a gutsy pit call from Alan Gustafson. The much maligned crew chief got the job done this time by staying out late on a green flag pit cycle and taking advantage of an opportune caution.

Elliott winning at Martinsville could be a sign of things to come. Is this the year when Elliott reestablishes his dominance?

1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (-)

Tyler Reddick walks down pit road during qualifying at Darlington Raceway. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

((Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images))

It won’t ruin his season, but Tyler Reddick has to figure out these short tracks eventually. P15 is not a result that the four-race winner wants. Regardless, he’s almost 100 points higher in the standings than P2, Blaney.

Reddick is likely going to struggle at Bristol coming up in two weeks. You better believe he has that Kansas date circled with a big #5 on it!

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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