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After two consecutive wins by non-playoff drivers, Kyle Larson seized victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, marking a strong comeback for playoff contenders. Larson’s triumph secured his spot in the next round of the NASCAR Playoffs, as he and three other playoff drivers claimed the top five positions in the Round of 12 finale.
With this win, Larson joins the ranks of seven other contenders still in the title chase, while four drivers—Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Briscoe—were eliminated from contention. The next challenge awaits at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Here’s a look at the updated NASCAR power rankings following the Charlotte race:
1. Kyle Larson
Last week: 2
The 2021 champion is establishing a commanding lead in the playoffs with six wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 1,613 laps led. He heads into the Round of 8 with a 20-point lead over the second place and a 33-point advantage on the cut line.
2. Christopher Bell
Last week: 1
Dropping to second after finishing second at Charlotte, Bell has been consistently strong with eight straight top-15 finishes. He aims for a third consecutive Championship 4 appearance and his first title.
3. William Byron
Last week: 3
Byron maintained his position after a solid third-place finish. His performance in the Round of 12 was impressive, with finishes of second, third, and third again. With prior wins at all three Round of 8 tracks, he enters the next round with confidence.
4. Denny Hamlin
Last week: 4
Despite a 14th-place finish at Charlotte, Hamlin advanced thanks to his previous performances. Now heading to tracks he excels at, he looks to leverage his experience in pursuit of his first championship.
5. Chase Elliott
Last week: 7
Elliott needed to score stage points and strategically navigated the race to finish fifth, ensuring his advancement. He may have only one win this season, but he leads all drivers with an impressive average finish of 11.7.
6. Ryan Blaney
Last week: 5
The reigning champion kept his title defense alive with a 10th-place finish at Charlotte. He’ll look to elevate his performance at Las Vegas, a track where he has yet to win but placed third earlier this season.
7. Tyler Reddick
Last week: 6
Reddick’s race was tumultuous, but he managed to finish 11th and secure his place in the Round of 8. Despite an average finish of 18.2 in the playoffs, he still has a chance to bring home a Championship 4 spot for 23XI Racing.
8. Joey Logano
Last week: 9
Logano’s eighth-place finish initially seemed insufficient for advancement, but a post-race penalty for Bowman allowed him to continue his title pursuit. Known for stepping up in critical moments, he could surprise in the upcoming rounds.
9. Alex Bowman
Last week: 8
Bowman’s season ends after his car was found underweight, meaning he will not appeal the ruling. It’s a disappointing end for a driver who had shown promise during the playoffs.
10. Austin Cindric
Last week: First four out
Cindric was eliminated after a strong fourth-place finish at Charlotte, primarily due to a wreck while leading at Talladega the previous week. His playoff run was solid overall, and he’ll look for greater consistency in the future.
First Four Out: Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain.
