NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR: Power Rankings - The Citizen Soldier 400 From Dover

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:20 p.m. ET

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Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Once again, it’s time for our weekly NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Power Rankings. Who is at the top of our list following the Bad Boy Off Road 300 at New Hampshire as the series heads to Dover for the Citizen Soldier 400 ?

The second race of each round of the Chase often is the most chaotic, with those who need to overcome a poor showing perhaps taking some extra risks and those who got off to a good start just wanting to not jeopardize anything.  The Bad Boy Off-Road 300 saw a huge rebound from Kevin Harvick and continued strong showings from the likes of Martin Truex, Jr., Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.  At the other end of the spectrum, Austin Dillon, Tony Stewart and Chris Buescher should start worrying.  Stewart has won at Dover before, but doesn’t have anyone convinced he’ll do so this year, and Dillon and Buescher really need to hope for a miracle as the Round of 16 comes to a close this weekend.

Be sure to leave comments here or reach us via social media to discuss where your favorite driver is on the list, or to tell us who should be on/off the list in your opinion!

Dropping off the list this week:  None.

New (or returning) to the list this week:  None.

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions

Ryan Blaney

No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing

HM(Last Week: NR) – Blaney had a decent weekend, running in the mid-teens throughout practice and qualifying. He had moved into the Top 10 at one point about 2/3 of the way through the race, but the late-race restarts and pit strategy relegated him to a 12th-place finish in a car that was probably a few spots better than that.

Alex Bowman

No. 88, Hendrick Motorsports

HM(Last Week: NR) – Bowman proved that the confidence shown in him by car owner Rick Hendrick is justified. Returning to the site of the first race in which he subbed for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Bowman finished 14th this time around. He has completed all 602 laps at New Hampshire’s tricky oval this season, a notable accomplishment for a Sprint Cup rookie under the circumstances he’s in.Next: No. 15 to No. 11

Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Power Rankings (No. 15 – No. 11)

Jamie McMurray

No. 1, Chip Ganassi Racing

#15(Last Week: 14) – On your way home from New Hampshire, go down the street to the headquarters of the Sylvania light bulb company and see if they can shed some light on why you’re taking up a Chase spot that is more-deserved for someone else.

Austin Dillon

No. 3, Richard Childress Racing

#14(Last Week: 15) – Still don’t know what looked worse – the right side of your car after you stuffed it into the wall during practice or that cowboy had you insist on wearing. You’re not fooling anyone in either instance.

Kasey Kahne

No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports

#13(Last Week: 12) – Kasey scored a Top-10 finish on Sunday at New Hampshire. I demand an audit of timing & scoring. Not possible.

Carl Edwards

No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing

#12(Last Week: 13) – Cousin Carl says that he is amazed that all of the JGR drivers are still getting along at this point of the season. At least the other 3 know where the commitment cone is at pit entrance, maybe they can leverage the camaraderie and fill him in, too.

Denny Hamlin

No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing

#11(Last Week: 3) – A hard drop from #3 to #11 this week…. almost as hard as the left-side of your car hit after falling off that jack late. It’s go time, son — can’t be making those mistakes now.Next: No. 10 to No. 6

Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Power Rankings (No. 10 – No. 6)

Kurt Busch

No. 41, Stewart-Haas Racing

#10(Last Week: 11) – NBC announcers said that they saw some “weird smoke” coming from your car late in the race. Was that from the curse of your car owner or the fact that you got the motor up to 317 degrees?

Kyle Larson

No. 42, Chip Ganassi Racing

#9(Last Week: 7) – When reviewing my race notes for this column, I don’t see you listed with any significance. That’ll happen when you both start and finish 17th. Guess I was right in analyzing you didn’t do much

Joey Logano

No. 22, Penske Racing

#8(Last Week: 2) – Took half of the race to un-lap yourself on Sunday. With few cautions, you didn’t have a chance…. especially since the 10 and the 47 were beating you. Wow.

Brad Keselowski

No. 2, Penske Racing

#7(Last Week: 4) – Good job knowing that you were stronger on long runs and went long at the end. That’s tough when the race comes down to restarts and short runs.

Kyle Busch

No. 18, Joe Gibbs Racing

#6(Last Week: 5) – Furious late-race charge probably burned the new tires off of you, the 20 and the 78, which is why the 4 won. How ’bout them apples?Next: No. 5 to No. 1

Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Power Rankings (No. 5 – No. 1)

Chase Elliott

No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports

#5(Last Week: 8) – Everyone keeps saying that your first win is just a matter of time. Even a broken clock is right twice per day. Are you?

Jimmie Johnson

No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports

#4(Last Week: 9) – Last week, people were asking if HMS was back, but one race doesn’t erase a tough season. After yesterday, those same folks might be intrigued. With a solid run again next week, they might be convinced. Make sure you have all of your $4 gaskets in order this year at Dover.

Matt Kenseth

No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing

#3(Last Week: 10) – Keep brake-checking everyone else on restarts and sooner or later it will bite you right back. See how that works?

Kevin Harvick

No. 4, Stewart-Haas Racing

#2(Last Week: 6) – You’ve liked Bad Boy Buggies for a long time. Fitting that you took the Bad Boy off road 300 to shove the No. 20 off line and take the win. He’ll get over it.Related Story: Winners And Losers From New Hampshire

Martin Truex, Jr.

No. 78, Furniture Row Motorsports

#1(Last Week: 1) – I love the way you’re not backing into anything, and still leading the most laps in a dominating performance when you’ve already advanced. You’re sending notice that everyone else will have to come get you. Let’s see if they can.

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