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Power Rankings: Analyzing Cup teams with playoffs looming
By Pat DeCola | Published: August 3, 2021 16
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As NASCAR wraps up its summer break with an eye on a return to action at Watkins Glen International this weekend, NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 15 NASCAR Cup Series teams with four races to go before the 2021 playoffs.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
15. StarCom Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Quin Houff (No. 00)
Average finish: 33.0
Comment: Houff has had a rough year, with no finishes inside the top 30 since Dover. He did have a decent two-race stretch in the top 25 at Bristol and Martinsville, but those are the only races this year he's scored double-digit points in. Still just 23 years old, it's all about reps at this point for the developing driver.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Quin Houff (No. 00)
Average finish: 33.0
Comment: Houff has had a rough year, with no finishes inside the top 30 since Dover. He did have a decent two-race stretch in the top 25 at Bristol and Martinsville, but those are the only races this year he's scored double-digit points in. Still just 23 years old, it's all about reps at this point for the developing driver.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
14. Spire Motorsports
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Corey LaJoie
Average finish: 25.4
Comment: Spire is a team on the rise building for the long term, and even still LaJoie is putting in a season slightly better than his previous two at GoFas. With a top 10 in the Daytona 500, it's not impossible the team turns in another strong finish or two the rest of the way with some superspeedways on the horizon.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Corey LaJoie
Average finish: 25.4
Comment: Spire is a team on the rise building for the long term, and even still LaJoie is putting in a season slightly better than his previous two at GoFas. With a top 10 in the Daytona 500, it's not impossible the team turns in another strong finish or two the rest of the way with some superspeedways on the horizon.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
13. Richard Petty Motorsports
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Erik Jones
Average finish: 21.0
Comment: Given the step down in car performance from his Joe Gibbs Racing years to RPM, Jones is struggling to put up the numbers he was accustomed to for the rebuilding Chevy organization. Still, it appears both driver and team are happy to continue laying foundation down together and the still-young Jones could become a face-of-the-franchise-type driver if he could bring the longtime organization back to prominence over the coming years. In terms of this season, don't count him out at Daytona — and the playoff spot that would come with a win.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Erik Jones
Average finish: 21.0
Comment: Given the step down in car performance from his Joe Gibbs Racing years to RPM, Jones is struggling to put up the numbers he was accustomed to for the rebuilding Chevy organization. Still, it appears both driver and team are happy to continue laying foundation down together and the still-young Jones could become a face-of-the-franchise-type driver if he could bring the longtime organization back to prominence over the coming years. In terms of this season, don't count him out at Daytona — and the playoff spot that would come with a win.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
12. JTG-Daugherty Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Ryan Preece (No. 37), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47)
Average finish: 20.55
Comment: Stenhouse started out the year looking like a playoff contender but lost his way over the middle months of the season, now likely needing a last-ditch win to get in. Preece does have a recent top 10 at Pocono, but overall has struggled to string performances together. Still, both are outperforming their 2020 seasons so there's a silver lining.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Ryan Preece (No. 37), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47)
Average finish: 20.55
Comment: Stenhouse started out the year looking like a playoff contender but lost his way over the middle months of the season, now likely needing a last-ditch win to get in. Preece does have a recent top 10 at Pocono, but overall has struggled to string performances together. Still, both are outperforming their 2020 seasons so there's a silver lining.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
11. 23XI Racing
Manufacturer: Toyota
Driver: Bubba Wallace (No. 23)
Average finish: 20.0
Comment: In some ways, Wallace's stats have taken a step back from his final season with RPM last year. On one hand, 23XI is a rookie organization and growing pains are expected, but on the other it's a JGR-aligned team and a 20.0 average finish certainly isn't what it's looking for. That said, expect this team to continue to build and get better as the season closes out, especially if Wallace finds his way into the playoffs.
Manufacturer: Toyota
Driver: Bubba Wallace (No. 23)
Average finish: 20.0
Comment: In some ways, Wallace's stats have taken a step back from his final season with RPM last year. On one hand, 23XI is a rookie organization and growing pains are expected, but on the other it's a JGR-aligned team and a 20.0 average finish certainly isn't what it's looking for. That said, expect this team to continue to build and get better as the season closes out, especially if Wallace finds his way into the playoffs.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
10. Roush Fenway Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Ryan Newman (No. 6), Chris Buescher (No. 17)
Average finish: 19.6
Comment: Buescher is doing some heavy lifting on the team average finish, with a 17.4 to Newman's 21.8 (ranks 26th among full-timers). Roush is obviously a team in transition and while the playoffs are still on the table for either, the brighter days for the championship organization are likely still in 2022 and beyond.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Ryan Newman (No. 6), Chris Buescher (No. 17)
Average finish: 19.6
Comment: Buescher is doing some heavy lifting on the team average finish, with a 17.4 to Newman's 21.8 (ranks 26th among full-timers). Roush is obviously a team in transition and while the playoffs are still on the table for either, the brighter days for the championship organization are likely still in 2022 and beyond.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
9. Front Row Motorsports
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Michael McDowell (No. 34), Anthony Alfredo (No. 38)
Average finish: 22.65
Comment: Like Roush, McDowell (18.2 average finish), as to be expected, is significantly outpacing his rookie teammate Alfredo (27.1) and, if you hadn't heard, also won that big race at the start of the year. "Fast Pasta" appears likely to continue his improvement and McDowell has earned a new level of respect this year that could see him continue to be competitive into the Next Gen era.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Michael McDowell (No. 34), Anthony Alfredo (No. 38)
Average finish: 22.65
Comment: Like Roush, McDowell (18.2 average finish), as to be expected, is significantly outpacing his rookie teammate Alfredo (27.1) and, if you hadn't heard, also won that big race at the start of the year. "Fast Pasta" appears likely to continue his improvement and McDowell has earned a new level of respect this year that could see him continue to be competitive into the Next Gen era.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
8. Trackhouse Racing Team
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Daniel Suarez
Average finish: 19.8
Comment: Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the 2021 season (apart from McDowell's Daytona 500 win) is how well Justin Marks and Pitbull's joint venture has gotten off and running. The first-year team has had its share of ups and downs, of course, but appears to be hitting all cylinders and Suarez is putting up numbers comparable to his JGR years. Keep an eye on Trackhouse.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Driver: Daniel Suarez
Average finish: 19.8
Comment: Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the 2021 season (apart from McDowell's Daytona 500 win) is how well Justin Marks and Pitbull's joint venture has gotten off and running. The first-year team has had its share of ups and downs, of course, but appears to be hitting all cylinders and Suarez is putting up numbers comparable to his JGR years. Keep an eye on Trackhouse.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
7. Wood Brothers Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Driver: Matt DiBenedetto (No. 21)
Average finish: 17.9
Comment: We know now that DiBenedetto has just 14 races remaining in his lame-duck season with the Woods, and it hasn't gone according to plan. Still, the pieces are starting to come together and it feels like a better chance than not that he'll pop off a win before all is said and done this year. The bigger question is if he'll be a championship-eligible driver if and when he does.
Manufacturer: Ford
Driver: Matt DiBenedetto (No. 21)
Average finish: 17.9
Comment: We know now that DiBenedetto has just 14 races remaining in his lame-duck season with the Woods, and it hasn't gone according to plan. Still, the pieces are starting to come together and it feels like a better chance than not that he'll pop off a win before all is said and done this year. The bigger question is if he'll be a championship-eligible driver if and when he does.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
6. Stewart-Haas Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Kevin Harvick (No. 4), Aric Almirola (No. 10), Chase Briscoe (No. 14), Cole Custer (No. 41)
Average finish: 18.88
Comment: If it weren't for Harvick's consistency and Almirola's season-saving win at Loudon, this ranking certainly would be a lot lower. The prognosis for SHR looks markedly better coming out of the break than it did in the weeks leading up to it. There could still be title potential here.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Kevin Harvick (No. 4), Aric Almirola (No. 10), Chase Briscoe (No. 14), Cole Custer (No. 41)
Average finish: 18.88
Comment: If it weren't for Harvick's consistency and Almirola's season-saving win at Loudon, this ranking certainly would be a lot lower. The prognosis for SHR looks markedly better coming out of the break than it did in the weeks leading up to it. There could still be title potential here.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
5. Chip Ganassi Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kurt Busch (No. 1), Ross Chastain (No. 42)
Average finish: 17.55
Comment: Not bad for a team that will close its doors in a few short months. Busch has found a new life in the middle portion of the season and looks primed for a strong playoff run, and Chastain isn't too far behind, if at all.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kurt Busch (No. 1), Ross Chastain (No. 42)
Average finish: 17.55
Comment: Not bad for a team that will close its doors in a few short months. Busch has found a new life in the middle portion of the season and looks primed for a strong playoff run, and Chastain isn't too far behind, if at all.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
4. Richard Childress Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Austin Dillon (No. 3), Tyler Reddick (No. 8)
Average finish: 13.85
Comment: Buoyed by a healthy relationship with fellow Chevy organization and 2021 season stalwart Hendrick Motorsports, RCR is enjoying its best collective season in years and looks to be knocking on the door of a win or two before the season's up. Dillon is looking like a true veteran these days and Reddick has electrified at times at the front of the field.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Austin Dillon (No. 3), Tyler Reddick (No. 8)
Average finish: 13.85
Comment: Buoyed by a healthy relationship with fellow Chevy organization and 2021 season stalwart Hendrick Motorsports, RCR is enjoying its best collective season in years and looks to be knocking on the door of a win or two before the season's up. Dillon is looking like a true veteran these days and Reddick has electrified at times at the front of the field.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
3. Team Penske
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Brad Keselowski (No. 2). Ryan Blaney (No. 12), Joey Logano (No. 22)
Average finish: 12.17
Comment: The days of this particularly strong Penske lineup are numbered, yet all three drivers have won this year and are championship hopefuls. The clear top Ford organization in 2021, it seems likely all three could win at least once the rest of the way and it'd be a shock if the Championship 4 doesn't include at least one Penske driver — and perhaps it'll be the one that's departing at season's end.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Brad Keselowski (No. 2). Ryan Blaney (No. 12), Joey Logano (No. 22)
Average finish: 12.17
Comment: The days of this particularly strong Penske lineup are numbered, yet all three drivers have won this year and are championship hopefuls. The clear top Ford organization in 2021, it seems likely all three could win at least once the rest of the way and it'd be a shock if the Championship 4 doesn't include at least one Penske driver — and perhaps it'll be the one that's departing at season's end.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
2. Joe Gibbs Racing
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Denny Hamlin (No. 11), Kyle Busch (No. 18), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19), Christopher Bell (No. 20)
Average finish: 12.2
Comment: Early in the year it looked like Denny Hamlin would be leading the JGR charge all season for the series' best team and, while the wins have still come in spurts, the full-on domination hasn't been there in months. Still, all four cars are capable of winning and catching fire in the playoffs and right now Kyle Busch might be the best non-Chevy bet to win the title.
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Denny Hamlin (No. 11), Kyle Busch (No. 18), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19), Christopher Bell (No. 20)
Average finish: 12.2
Comment: Early in the year it looked like Denny Hamlin would be leading the JGR charge all season for the series' best team and, while the wins have still come in spurts, the full-on domination hasn't been there in months. Still, all four cars are capable of winning and catching fire in the playoffs and right now Kyle Busch might be the best non-Chevy bet to win the title.
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Maddie Meyer | Getty Images
1. Hendrick Motorsports
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kyle Larson (No. 5), Chase Elliott (No. 9), William Byron (No. 24), Alex Bowman (No. 48)
Average finish: 12.05
Comment: It's starting to look like it's not a foregone conclusion that a Hendrick driver will be holding the trophy at season's end, but for the past several months that certainly has been the case. The longtime organization has been the season's clear best so far, with wins in nearly half of the 22 races. And counting. Hendrick is very much still the team to beat.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kyle Larson (No. 5), Chase Elliott (No. 9), William Byron (No. 24), Alex Bowman (No. 48)
Average finish: 12.05
Comment: It's starting to look like it's not a foregone conclusion that a Hendrick driver will be holding the trophy at season's end, but for the past several months that certainly has been the case. The longtime organization has been the season's clear best so far, with wins in nearly half of the 22 races. And counting. Hendrick is very much still the team to beat.