Last week we suggested the top three in our weekly rankings were the class of the field and maybe, just maybe, the champion was most likely to come from that trio.
Well, those three remain up top this week, but there’s a chance they might have picked up a fourth for the next round. Christopher Bell hadn’t won in months, not just weeks, but back then, he won three straight and such things leave an impression.
The impression: This guy is capable of a roll. And if he has started one, there’s no better time. Bell’s win at Bristol this past Saturday night gave his Joe Gibbs Racing team a sweep of the three Round of 16 races.
The official playoff point standings still have a pair of Hendrick racers — William Byron and Kyle Larson — second and third entering the Round of 12. They’re still being buoyed by a trunkload of playoff bonus points, but around here, we tend to jettison those bonus points from past successes and focus on the here and now.
Here’s the here and now …
1. Chase Briscoe
Led 127 laps at Bristol before shuffling to ninth. That’s now considered an off-week for this Chase.
2. Ryan Blaney
Cruise control still engaged but might need to hit the left lane soon.
3. Denny Hamlin
Among those hoping the Gibbs crew can maintain this roll.
4. Christopher Bell
He also hopes so.
5. Bubba Wallace
Three clunkers in the last five starts for Bubba, but he’s recovered from other mini-slumps this year.
6. Joey Logano
Still not great, but showing signs of playoff life with two straight fifths. Weird, huh?
7. Chris Buescher
Remains best of the rest from 17th on back. Don’t clear room, though. There’s no trophy for that at the banquet.
8. William Byron
Billy the Kid a big part of the Hendrick sluggishness through Round of 16.
9. Chase Elliott
Another part of it. Not exactly firing off the line to the Round of 12.
10. Kyle Larson
In seven starts since the beginning of August, he has two sixth-place finishes and five clunkers. What’s going on?
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