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Johnson Elliott Byron Bowman Pr 2019
BACK TO GALLERIES

NASCAR Power Rankings: Preseason edition

By Pat DeCola | Published: 12 Feb, 2019 21
Cindy Gonzalez | NASCAR Digital Media
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 21

Johnson Elliott Byron Bowman Pr 2019

Cindy Gonzalez | NASCAR Digital Media

NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers following the Advance Auto Parts Clash and before the Daytona 500. This is the first edition of Power Rankings this season.

2 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Ryan Newman

Rank: 20

Change (from end of 2018): +2

Comment: As a former Daytona 500 winner, Newman can never be counted out (same goes for Jamie McMurray, though he's not ranked here). That said, the newest Roush Fenway Racing driver has just three finishes inside the top five -- and all were fifth, exactly -- in 21 starts since winning the "Great American Race."

3 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Dow Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Austin Dillon

Rank: 19

Change: -1

Comment: The reigning Daytona 500 champion has a great shot to find his way to the front of the field on Sunday once again -- proving last year wasn't a fluke. Dillon has scored the second-most points (268) at Daytona over the past 10 races run there.

4 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Daniel Suarez, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Ford, looks on during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Driver: Daniel Suarez

Rank: 18

Change: -1

Comment: Suarez is turning a new page in 2019 with his arrival at Stewart-Haas Racing. Hopefully for him it turns around his Daytona prospects as well, because he owns the worst average finish among all active drivers (29.5) at the Florida track.

5 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Kurt Busch

Rank: 17

Change: -1

Comment: Busch finally broke through for his first Daytona 500 win in 2017, but it was a long time coming. He's one of the top plate racers in the game, with the most top fives (13) and top 10s (17) among active drivers.

6 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, looks on during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Paul Menard

Rank: 16

Change: +3

Comment: Menard nearly won Sunday's Advance Auto Parts Clash, leading 51 laps before contact with Jimmie Johnson shortly before the race was called derailed everything. The Wood Brothers Racing driver continues to prove he's a capable restrictor-plate racer and will work with the Team Penske drivers to find the front of the field on Sunday.

7 of 21

Denny Hamlin

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Denny Hamlin

Rank: 15

Change: -2

Comment: Right now is the perfect time for Hamlin to quiet any doubters who claim he's washed up after a winless 2018. Hamlin not only won the Daytona 500 in 2016 -- he's the active laps led leader and has scored the most points (272) over the past 10 races at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

8 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks with team owner Rick Hendrick during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Alex Bowman

Rank: 14

Change: --

Comment: Hendrick Motorsports obviously brought the power to Daytona -- as it routinely does -- and Bowman drove his way to another Daytona 500 front row starting spot. He'll have an excellent shot to ride to a victory on Sunday, especially when you consider the car number he's driving.

9 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09:  Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Sport Clips Toyota, walks through the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Erik Jones

Rank: 13

Change: -2

Comment: So far, Jones' Daytona 500 results are pretty subpar (39th- and 36th-place finishes). The good news is that his Coke Zero 400 results are incredible, with an average finish of 5.0 and a win in last year's July running. He's capable of winning if he stays clean, which is often just up to fate. He'll get a break in the 500 one of these days.

10 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands on stage during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Kyle Larson

Rank: 12

Change: -2

Comment: Larson can wheel it any time, anywhere, on pretty much any type of track. His skills haven't ... quite ... translated to Daytona yet, where he's yet to finish in the top five and has only two top 10s in 10 starts. In his defense, he does seem to get collected in wrecks not of his doing -- he's finished just half of his Daytona races.

11 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: William Byron

Rank: 11

Change: +4

Comment: Byron already seemed to be carrying a good bit of momentum coming into the 2019 season ... and then he went out and won the Daytona 500 pole. Chad Knaus knows how to win at Daytona (see: No. 48 car history) and could mark the start of a new era of winning on Sunday with Byron behind the wheel.

12 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Jimmie Johnson

Rank: 10

Change: +2

Comment: Does Jimmie have his mojo back? It's certainly starting to look like it, with Sunday's victory in The Clash looking like the "Seven-Time" of old. Johnson has the most Daytona wins (three) among active drivers, and it wouldn't be a major surprise to see him add a fourth this weekend.

13 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Brad Keselowski

Rank: 9

Change: --

Comment: If you're looking for a solid pick to win the Daytona 500, Keselowski is as strong as they come. You'd find few in the garage who would argue with the Team Penske driver's status as the sport's restrictor-plate ace, and Ford should show its strength as a whole on Sunday. Plus, that Mustang just looks fast

14 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers/Mobil 1 Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Clint Bowyer

Rank: 8

Change: --

Comment: Bowyer has a lot of strengths as a race car driver -- and as an entertainer off the track -- but driving a race car at Daytona hasn't shown to be one of them over the past decade or so. Since leading 31 laps in the 2011 Daytona 500, he's seen the front of the field for just 13 total laps and has never made the trip to Victory Lane.

15 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 09:  Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Prime Fresh Ford, stands in the garage area  during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 9, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Driver: Aric Almirola

Rank: 7

Change: -1

Comment: Almirola will be out for blood Sunday after being in position to win the 500 on the last lap a year ago. A 2014 winner at Daytona, he makes for a really good pick that's teetering on the sleeper/favorite line.

16 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Peak Ford, gets ready to drive during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Ryan Blaney

Rank: 6

Change: +2

Comment: As far as actual favorites, though, Blaney makes about as good of a case as any. There's a strong chance he'll be hoisting the Harley J. Earl on Sunday -- he was runner-up in 2017 and led 118 laps last year. It could all come together for him this weekend.

17 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Driver: Chase Elliott

Rank: 5

Change: --

Comment: Elliott is right up there, as well. He owns the best average start among actives, but bad luck has relegated him to the second worst average Daytona finish (28.7). Given Hendrick's strength so far, his fortunes are destined to be turned around.

18 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Rank: 4

Change: --

Comment: Truex is going to win races this year. A lot of them. The fact that he's the active driver with the most winless Daytona starts (27) doesn't bode well for Sunday's chances, but he was the runner up in the closest-ever finish in 2016 -- to now-teammate Denny Hamlin -- and you have to think piloting a Joe Gibbs Racing entry gives him the best opportunity to win NASCAR's biggest race that he's ever had.

19 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Car2Can Ford, looks on during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Driver: Kevin Harvick

Rank: 3

Change: -1

Comment: Apart from Johnson, fellow #oldguy Harvick is the only other driver with multiple Daytona wins among active drivers. That said, he hasn't won the Daytona 500 in 12 years But, really, are you going to ever bet against Kevin freaking Harvick? Didn't think so.

20 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

Driver: Joey Logano

Rank: 2

Change: +1

Comment: Defending series champion. Former Daytona 500 winner. Driving a Penske-powered, straight-bad-looking Mustang. What's not to like? Literally nothing. Logano has as good a shot -- if not better -- to win the Daytona 500 on Sunday and continue to build his potential Hall of Fame career.

21 of 21

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 10:  Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Chocolate Bar Toyota, stands in the garage area during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 10, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

Driver: Kyle Busch

Rank: 1

Change: --

Comment: Look, you know by now that Kyle Busch's trophy case is basically just missing one thing: the Harley J. Earl Trophy. Though he's never won NASCAR's biggest race, it's hard to think he'll wrap up his career years from now without doing so. Positioned as the strongest driver entering the season, why not now?
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