NASCAR Power Rankings: Chase Elliott keeps top spot

Before calamity and mayhem became the operative words in the final laps of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup playoff race at the Charlotte Roval, Chase Elliott was powering his way to a runaway victory.

Elliott had a four-second lead with six laps to go and appeared headed for his sixth seasonal win before cautions scrambled everything and opened the door for Christopher Bell’s victory. Elliott led a race-high 30 laps, sits atop the playoff standings entering Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC) and keeps the top ranking in the NBC Sports NASCAR Power Rankings.

Bell, who was in a must-win situation last Sunday to stay in the playoffs, jumps six spots in the rankings to fourth as he establishes himself as a championship threat.

Eight of the 10 ranked drivers move on to the Round of 8, with races Sunday at Las Vegas, Oct. 23 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Oct. 30 at Martinsville Speedway. All remaining Cup races, including the season finale Nov. 6 at Phoenix Raceway, will be televised by NBC.

1. Chase Elliott (No. 1 last week) — Elliott remains the only Cup driver with more than three wins this season. He clearly had one of the best three cars Sunday at Charlotte.

2. Denny Hamlin (No. 2 last week) — Hamlin finished 13th in the craziness of the Charlotte ending. He’ll start the Round of 8 playoff run in seventh.

3. Ryan Blaney (No. 3 last week) — Blaney, still carrying the big zero on his back with no points wins this year, rolls into Las Vegas fifth in the playoff standings.

4. Christopher Bell (No. 10 last week) — Talk about hitting a winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning — Bell came through Sunday at Charlotte when everything was on the line.

5. Joey Logano (No. 5 last week) — Logano dominated