Not that any driver has even attempted a stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in our weekly standings — and certainly not the Iron Sheik’s rear naked chokehold — but something felt especially tentative about Chase Briscoe’s recent and brief reign atop our scoring pylon.
Particularly given the steady work of late turned in by Ryan Blaney. Since a clanker at Sonoma in late July, Blaney has finished outside the top 10 just once in the past 10 races (an 18th at Darlington, which is no crime). And we’re not talking about a run of eighth- or ninth-place finishes.
Among those nine top-10s are two wins and four other finishes of fourth or better.
It’s not like Briscoe has stepped on a rake. In the last four weeks he has a win, a second and two other top-10s. But Blaney has been better and for longer.
Hard to beat better and longer.
But just for kicks, thankfully there’s a social-media account out there that continues to give us the long-ago Winston Cup standings using the long-ago Winston Cup points formula. Check out this beauty before we re-rack our top 10.
1. Ryan Blaney
On a great two-month run. Ascension to #1 here sorta clinches that, right? Right??!!
2. Chase Briscoe
Gives up #1 spot and don’t look now, but he’s up against the bubble in the official standings.
3. Christopher Bell
He’s a top-10 machine at Kansas. Like six of the last seven type of top-10 machinery.
4. Joey Logano
Guess who’s showing signs of playoff life. Last three finishes: 5-5-4.
5. Denny Hamlin
Will talk teamwork with Ty Gibbs this week. Ty’s grandpa kinda gave Denny the green light.
6. William Byron
RIding those bonus points toward the Round of 8. Good thing he stocked up on ’em.
7. Chase Elliott
Too close to the playoff bubble. Seventh here and seventh in the playoff standings.
8. Chris Buescher
Still “best of the rest,” and frankly, we still can’t believe he missed the playoffs.
9. Kyle Larson
Hey, Kyle got a top 10 at Loudon! Just his second at a non-plate race since late July.
10. Bubba Wallace
Needs to regain summer form, and soon. Four finishes of 26th or worse in last six starts.
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