NASCAR Playoff Rankings: Championship Hope Burns Bright in Round of 12
Man, this NASCAR playoff picture is getting wild. The first round was a demolition derby of hopes and dreams, and now we’re staring down the barrel of the Round of 12. This is where the contenders really separate themselves from the pretenders. Forget what you thought you knew. After the chaos of Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol, it’s time to take a hard look at these playoff rankings and see who’s got the juice to make a real run for the championship.
This next set of tracks, including New Hampshire, Kansas, and the Charlotte Roval, is a monster. It’s a mix of a flat short track, a fast-as-heck intermediate, and a road course that can throw a wrench in anyone’s plans. A driver has to be versatile, a team has to be sharp, and a little bit of luck wouldn’t hurt. Let’s break down who’s looking strong and who’s just hanging on for dear life.
Who is the True Favorite in the NASCAR Playoff Rankings?
Denny Hamlin
You have to start with Denny Hamlin. Even with a rough go at Bristol, he’s sitting pretty at the top of the playoff rankings. That win at Gateway was a masterclass, a powerful reminder that when the No. 11 car is on, it’s on. Hamlin drives with the savvy of a veteran who has seen it all, and this year, he seems to have an extra gear of focus. The question, as it always is with Hamlin, is whether he can finally close the deal.
This round will be a huge test. If he comes out swinging at New Hampshire and Kansas, that confidence could become an unstoppable force. But a couple of stumbles, and you’ll hear the whispers start all over again. He’s my pick for the Championship Four, but he’s got to earn it right here.
Kyle Larson
Don’t let a rough opening round fool you. Kyle Larson is still Kyle Larson. Yes, not having top-10s in the first three playoff races looks bad on paper, but this is the guy who can find speed anywhere, on any track. This upcoming round is practically built for him. He’s a beast at Kansas and a magician at the Roval.
He has this uncanny ability to shake off a bad race and show up the following week like nothing happened. While other drivers might be rattled, Larson will probably climb in the car and drive the wheels off it. He’s got the talent and the Hendrick Motorsports equipment to make a deep run, and I fully expect him to be battling for the title in Phoenix.
Who is Rising in the Playoff Rankings?
Christopher Bell
He’s back. That’s the feeling you get after watching Christopher Bell dominate Bristol. The guy was in a slump, a 24-race winless streak that had people wondering if he’d lost that early-season magic. Well, he found it. That win wasn’t just a ticket to the next round; it was a shot of pure adrenaline for that entire No. 20 team.
Bell won at Phoenix earlier this year, so you know if he makes it to the championship race, he’s a legitimate threat. Bristol might have been the wake-up call that turns his whole season around. He’s moved from a guy you hoped would advance to a guy you expect to see in the Championship Four.
Chase Briscoe
Is there a hotter driver in the playoffs right now than Chase Briscoe? A win at Darlington, followed by two more top-10s? That’s not a fluke. That’s a driver hitting his stride at the perfect moment. This is his first authentic taste of being a top-tier contender, and so far, he’s not backing down. He’s driving with a quiet confidence that is turning heads in the garage. The real test is whether he can maintain this level of performance when the pressure cooker gets turned up even higher in the later rounds. He’s proving he belongs in this conversation.
Ryan Blaney
Never, ever count out Ryan Blaney. The defending champ knows how to navigate these playoff waters. He’s a grinder. He might not always have the fastest car, but he’ll fight you for every single spot on the track. His back-to-back top-five finishes at Gateway and Bristol, even after facing some trouble, showed the heart of a champion. Blaney’s ability to consistently run in the top five keeps him in the hunt, and you know that when it’s on the line, he’s going to be a factor.
Breaking Down The Rest of the Field
The rest of the field is a dogfight. You’ve got guys like William Byron who need to find their early-season speed, and quickly. Chase Elliott survived Bristol by the skin of his teeth and now heads to a round with tracks he loves. And then there are the longshots, guys like Austin Cindric and Joey Logano, who need to find another gear if they want to keep their hopes alive. This is what NASCAR playoffs are all about. The pressure, performance, and pure, unadulterated drama. Buckle up.
