Power Rankings: Ryan Blaney inching toward top five after Las Vegas near-win powered by Mack Trucks

By Pat DeCola | Published: 25 Feb, 2020 21

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NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 NASCAR Cup Series drivers after the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and before the race at Auto Club Speedway.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 United States Air Force Chevrolet, lands a tandem sky dive with the US Air Force at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

20. Bubba Wallace (NR):

Comment: Wallace has put together about as strong a start to the season as he could've hoped for, with a sixth-place finish at Las Vegas marking his best result since Indy. He's yet to finish better than 20th at Auto Club, but look for him to carry some momentum into the weekend.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

19. Kurt Busch (-8):

Comment: Busch has sputtered out of the gate to start 2020, but could find respite at Auto Club. Though he hasn't won there since 2003 and has no top fives since 2015, his seven such results historically rank him third among active drivers. His four poles are most among actives.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, gets into his car during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

18. William Byron (-4):

Comment: Byron hasn't seen much luck since winning his Duel at Daytona, but perhaps things will turn around in California. In two races at Auto Club -- both of which he started outside the top 20 -- he's notched two 15th-place finishes.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

17. Erik Jones (-9):

Comment: Jones is another with high 2020 expectations that haven't delivered yet, but he could contend this weekend at a strong track for Joe Gibbs Racing. The young driver was 19th there last year, but started fourth and finished seventh the season before.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industries Ford, talks with Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

16. Chris Buescher (+3):

Comment: Buescher is looking like he has a playoff car so far, and Fontana could be a good test. He was 16th last year, so a top 10 on Sunday could indicate good things ahead.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 08: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Symbicort/Rig Up Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

15. Austin Dillon (NR):

Comment: Dillon appears intent on making 2020 his best season yet, and he could keep it rolling this weekend. Last year's Busch Pole Award winner has two total at Auto Club Speedway and he's always seemed to handle NASCAR's bigger tracks better than most.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Kroger Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (+4):

Comment: Though he has just one top 10 at Auto Club -- fifth, 2016 -- it feels more likely than not with how he's running right now that Stenhouse adds a second one to his resume this weekend.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

13. Matt DiBenedetto (+4):

Comment: Similar to Stenhouse, DiBenedetto's Auto Club history isn't exactly favorable, but a hot start to the season has us believing the possibilities are endless.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

12. Jimmie Johnson (+3):

Comment: Sunday's race is Johnson's last scheduled event at his home track -- one of his best. The site of his first Cup Series win, Auto Club has been a boon for Johnson who has a series-best six trips to Victory Lane and a ridiculous 7.6 average finish.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, stands by his car during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

11. Brad Keselowski. (+2):

Comment: Keselowski was competitive at Vegas and should be again this weekend. The only Ford driver to win at Auto Club since Matt Kenseth in 2009 -- he did it in 2015 -- Kes led 42 laps last year en route to a P3 finish.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush/Mobil 1 Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 09, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

10. Clint Bowyer. (--):

Comment: Bowyer has an identical average start and finish -- 14.8 -- at Auto Club and has just one top 10 there since 2011. That said, it was a third-place finish in 2017.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Valvoline Chevrolet, speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

9. Alex Bowman (+3):

Comment: Bowman nearly pulled off his first win of 2020 at Vegas but had to settle for 13th after getting shuffled back on the final restart. He has no top 10s at Auto Club, and his best finish in four starts there was 13th in 2018.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands by his car during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

8. Kyle Larson (-2):

Comment: Larson hung around the top 10 -- and often the top five -- all day on Sunday, something we'll likely see again this weekend. The 2017 Auto Club winner was also the 2018 runner-up.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford, signs autographs during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

7. Ryan Blaney. (+2):

Comment: Ryan Blaney appeared set to be celebrating in Victory Lane before a late caution foiled his chances and instead saddled him with an 11th-place finish in Vegas. All three Penske cars finished in the top five at Auto Club last year, so another strong weekend appears to be in store.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, sits by his car during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

6. Chase Elliott (+1):

Comment: Elliott swept the stages at Vegas before he had a tire go down and ruin his day (finished 26th). Despite just two top 10s in four Auto Club starts, his average finish there of 10.8 is third-best in the series.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, signs autographs during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

5. Martin Truex Jr. (-1):

Comment: Truex appeared to have a strong No. 19 on Sunday at Vegas, but a couple of issues derailed his race and he wound up 20th. The 2018 Auto Club winner led 125 laps from the pole and should be in the mix for the win this weekend.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers White Toyota, talks with crew members during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

4. Kyle Busch (-1):

Comment: Busch is the defending Auto Club winner and always seems to be among the favorites for this race. The reigning champ was P3 with 62 laps led the year before and is one of two active drivers with multiple wins there (four).

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 09, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

3. Denny Hamlin (-2):

Comment: Hamlin never really seemed to get it going at Vegas, but Auto Club could go a little better for the Daytona 500 champ. While he is winless at Auto Club in 18 tries, he does have three poles at the California track.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images

2. Kevin Harvick (--):

Comment: Harvick had plenty of short-run speed at Vegas -- leading 92 laps across the race -- but couldn't close things out, finishing eighth. He was P4 at Auto Club last year, but had back-to-back runner-up results from 2015-16.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, signs autographs during practice for NASCAR Cup Series Penzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Matt Sullivan | Getty Images

1. Joey Logano (+4):

Comment: Sunday's Vegas winner is ... almost always great at Auto Club, too. One bad finish in 2014 -- 39th -- is surrounded by six races with an average finish of 4.33. No wins, though. How about two in a row, Joe?

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Power Rankings: Ryan Blaney inching toward top five after Las Vegas near-win powered by Mack Trucks