NASCAR Power Rankings: Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott move to top after Clash
The preseason Clash at Bowman Gray is in the books, and while NASCAR does not have any points races on quarter-mile ovals, the Clash did give a peek into how teams could perform this year.
Bowman Gray Stadium was still a short track, and it was similar to Martinsville. As a matter of fact, drivers used the same tire as Martinsville.
Here’s this week NASCAR’s power rankings, based on a mix of performance at Bowman Gray and how a driver should perform this year.
1. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 3)
He didn’t win the Clash, but his run might have been the most impressive, as he went from last (23rd) to second over the 200-lap race. And the Penske driver did it without making enemies.
2. Chase Elliott (LW: 6)
The sport’s most popular driver opened 2025 by delighting his fans with the victory at Bowman Gray. The Hendrick driver wasn’t just good in the main event; he was good in practice, qualifying and the heat race, too.
3. Joey Logano (LW: 7)
Logano finished fourth at the Clash, which was a solid start to defending his title. All three Penske cars finished in the top seven, and affiliate car Josh Berry placed 13th, an indication this track fell in the Penske wheelhouse.
4. Christopher Bell (LW: 1)
On the other side of the spectrum, only one Joe Gibbs Racing driver finished in the top 10. Bell finished second in his heat but ended up 12th in the main event.
5. Kyle Larson (LW: 2)
Larson was impressive in winning the last-chance qualifier, a race he probably didn’t expect to run but was relegated to after a spin in his heat. The main event was a challenge, as Larson was 17th, partially because his Hendrick car was turned with 85 laps remaining.
6. Denny Hamlin (LW: 10)
Hamlin was terrible at the start of