Stop me if you’ve heard this before: It just might be Denny Hamlin’s year.
Did you see who finished fourth in Chicago? That’s right, it was Denny, who hadn’t finished better than 14th in his previous seven road-course starts.
In fact, it was just his second top-10 in his last 19 roadies. This week will tell us more, but if he’s going to start handling right-hand turns without issue, he’s definitely on all cylinders.
On the other end of the spectrum, what in the world is wrong with William Byron? Here are his last five finishes: 28, 9, 27, 37, 40.
This week’s power rankings:
1. Denny Hamlin
Congrats on that fourth-place in Chicago. It was just his second top-10 in his last 19 road races.
2. Chase Elliott
Often leads at Sonoma, but hasn’t won there.
3. Kyle Larson
Seven straight races without a bonus point, which seems weird.
4. Ryan Blaney
0-for-32 on road courses since winning the Roval in 2018.
5. Christopher Bell
Mr. Hunch says he’s the man to beat this weekend.
6. Alex Bowman
Finding decent form in time for a shot at the million-dollar bracket battle.
7. Chris Buescher
Still collecting points in steady fashion, but you can’t put points on the mantel.
8. Ross Chastain
Ross the Boss generally holds his own at road courses. Not great, not bad.
9. William Byron
You thought it couldn’t get worse, then he finished 40th in Chicago. It’s a full-blown mini-slump now.
10. Chase Briscoe
It was a toss-up between him and Ryan Preece for our 10th spot.
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