A week ago, it was suggested Denny Hamlin’s hold on our top spot here was weakening.
Scratch that thought. As the late, great Barney Hall would say, Denny drove the wheels off that Toyota Sunday at Dover. On older tires, through two restarts, and even losing the lead by a few feet on the next-to-last lap, he prevailed.
Might it have been different if the two dudes battling with him in the later laps hadn’t been teammates? Might, say, a Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott have approached with sharper elbows if given the chance?
Don’t know.
Doesn’t matter.
Here we go …
1. Denny Hamlin
First to four wins this season, closing in on all-time top 10.
2. Chase Elliott
On a good little roll but probably should’ve won at Dover.
3. Chase Briscoe
Two straight runner-up finishes. Mitchell native races close to Indy home this week.
4. Kyle Larson
Did decent Dover reset his summer? Brickyard will tell us where this team now sits.
5. Tyler Reddick
One Ty too many. He won’t race for a million bucks at Indy.
6. Alex Bowman
Will finish seventh this week as he continues turning around his 2025.
7. Christopher Bell
Bad on ovals since late spring. How about rectangular ovals?
8. Chris Buescher
Needs to dial in his iron play because he’s spent too much time on the fringes this season.
9. Ryan Blaney
The Penske team has some home-court advantage this week. Does Roger cook breakfast?
10. Joey Logano
0-for-16 on the Brickyard oval and road course, combined.
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