NASCAR Power Rankings: Who Is the Favorite Heading Into Phoenix Raceway?

Three races down, and now the NASCARCup Series schedule heads to Phoenix Raceway. This is going to be the first “traditional” oval on the calendar. Then again, you could argue that Phoenix is unlike any other track on the schedule with the dogleg and its flat, one-mile layout.

So far, only Tyler Reddick has tasted victory in 2026. Honestly, that could continue this week as well. He’s led the most laps in each of the last two races and started on the pole, once by metric score and once by qualifying.

Let’s get into who the top drivers are this week as we move forward with the 2026 season. It’s going to be another fun weekend of racing.

10. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing

Is Brad Keselowski a world beater right now? No. But a man his age recovering from a broken right femur finishing in the top-20 in each of these first three races is massively impressive.

Keselowski is still limping around with his cane after races. But right now, he’s 12th in points and has finishes of P5, P17, and P20.

9. AJ Allmendinger – Kaulig Racing

AJ Allmendinger is introduced at the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 9, 2024.Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

(Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images)

How about the start to the season that AJ Allmendinger is having? The Dinger had to get some fluids after Sunday’s race at COTA. Still, he finished P9 and now sits 8th in the points standing.

Just like Keselowski, Allmendinger has finished inside the top-20 these first three weeks. Will that continue?

8. Joey Logano – Team Penske

It’s an even-numbered year. Joey Logano has finishes of P3, P18, and P15. He’s 6th in points, and looks like he’s ready for the long haul.

Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA are not standard tracks. Still, Logano has weathered the storm.

7. Zane Smith – Front Row Motorsports

Zane Smith walks out onto the stage for driver introductions before the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.Jamie Harms-Imagn Images

(Jamie Harms-Imagn Images)

Perhaps, besides Tyler Reddick, the surprise of the early season. Zane Smith has two top-10 finishes, a stage win, and looks like the driver he was billed to be a few years ago.

Anyone shocked about Smith’s solid runs this season might not remember how great he was in the Truck Series. Smith is seen as a potential star and may even be making a move to be FRM’s franchise driver.

6. Carson Hocevar – Spire Motorsports

Sitting 10th in points, Carson Hocevar has already angered a few folks and endeared himself to fans all at the same time. P4 at Atlanta is the highlight so far, but Hocevar likely has more tricks up his sleeve.

Hocevar is a young, controversial driver. But he’s also one of the most talented wheelmen out on the track each week.

5. Shane van Gisbergen – Trackhouse Racing

NASCAR Xfinity driver Shane Van Gisbergen (97) during driver introductions at Circuit of the Americas.© Michael C&period; Johnson-Imagn Images

(© Michael C&period; Johnson-Imagn Images)

Perhaps Shane van Gisbergen is not a one-trick pony. P6 at Atlanta and P2 at COTA have SVG sitting 5th overall in points. That’s not something anyone expected going into the season.

The thing is, he doesn’t even have that many stage points. 16 total on the season, there are 12 drivers who have as many or more stage points already. Can SVG maintain his early-season success?

4. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske

Once again, Ryan Blaney is holding down the Ford camp. He’s Team Penske’s best driver through the first three races and looked like he was going to challenge Tyler Reddick to the win at COTA.

Blaney sits 4th in points, has two top-10 finishes, and 34 stage points. That’s doing a lot of heavy lifting for Blaney. Fully expect Blaney to be a contender this weekend at Phoenix as well. It’s perhaps his best track.

3. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing

Bubba Wallace during driver intros at EchoPark Speedway. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

((Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images))

Three races into the season, and Bubba Wallace is sitting at 2nd in points. He has two stage wins, led the most laps at Daytona, and hasn’t finished worse than P11 yet.

While Reddick is getting the recognition he rightfully deserves, Wallace is quietly biding his time. Will it be the 23 team’s turn to win here soon?

2. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports

P4, P11, and P7. Chase Elliott has had a consistent season. He’s picking up right where he left off, and Elliott will be winning races before we know it. Elliott is by far the best Hendrick driver in points right now at 3rd. Next best is William Byron in 13th.

Elliott won two points races last season. Fans will be watching to see if he can get back to being a three, four, five win driver every season.

1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba Casino Toyota, celebrates after winning his third race in a row to start the 2026 NASCAR season. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

((Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images))

Top dog! Tyler Reddick has won three races in a row and has led the most laps in each of the last two weekends. He’s put 23XI Racing and NASCAR on his back to start the season.

Michael Jordan says he’s coming to Phoenix, and can you blame him? He’s been in attendance to watch his driver win all three of these races, and he’s not going to change that until his driver stops winning.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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