NASCAR driver rankings after an off week and before Iowa race: What changed?
NASCAR driver rankings after an off week and before Iowa race: What changed?
Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-JournalWed, August 5, 2026 at 9:09 AM UTC
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No way we could change the Top 10 driver rankings after a week with no racing, right?
Right?
Well ... as it turns out, that's right. We're still looking at Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe on our front row, but in theory, they're hardly side by side. Hamlin is clearly the class of the field, even with a drop-off after that amazing stretch in May and June.
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Since that streak, there have been two road-course races and a plate-race. In the three "honest ovals" over the past four weeks, Denny has finished second, third and fifth. Now we're on to three straight weeks of tracks measuring a mile and shorter, and it's hard to imagine him not adding to his win total and padding his lead here.
1. Denny Hamlin
Remember six weeks ago when we thought he'd never lose again?
2. Chase Briscoe
"The Other Chase" has clawed his way to the front row of our Top 10. Can he stay?
3. Ryan Blaney
Had an extra week off to contemplate how he lost a million bucks by not finishing in front of Todd Gilliland at Indy.
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4. Ty Gibbs
Keeps piling up points, but we thought he was gonna start collecting trophies. I smell a win coming in August.
5. Christopher Bell
"Mr. Bridesmaid" now has a six-pack of runner-up finishes this season. He's not celebrating, by the way.
6. Carson Hocevar
Three short tracks and Daytona coming this month. He won't likely make any headlines, right?
7. Tyler Reddick
One of three with 15 top-10s this year. Still one of one with five wins.
8. Chase Elliott
"The People's Chase" has just one top-10 in his last 11 starts, and he's dangerously close to getting bumped from our little gathering here.
9. Joey Logano
After a really good July, he might be tempted to relax. But that Chase bubble isn't yet small enough in his rearview mirror.
10. Corey Heim
If and when he wins again this year, maybe he'll return to our Top 10. But he's not racing the next three weeks, so he'll probably dart outside for a while.
Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver rankings after an off week and before Iowa race: What changed?
Source: “AOL Sports”
