The Energy Rankings enter Week 2. This week, the inventory automotive circus is heading to EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. Everybody’s favourite not too long ago renamed observe on the schedule. We all know, no matter what you name the ability, the racing goes to be scorching.
Understanding that that is one other drafting observe, that may issue into how these rankings shake out this week right here at Athlon Sports activities. Together with the racing at Kansas Speedway, the brand new configuration at Atlanta has been an motion observe the previous few years.
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Subsequent to the Crown Jewel races, there’s maybe no race extra anticipated on the schedule than the 2 dates at EchoPark Speedway. The revealed a number of issues to us that the ultimate outcomes will not present, and it is too early to be making too many main modifications and choices.
So, let’s get into the highest groups within the and identify a number of of the favorites going into this weekend’s race. It is going to be unpredictable, thrilling, and there might be torn-up race vehicles. However as we noticed at Daytona, there’s a likelihood for a little bit magic to occur as nicely.
PREVIOUS 2026 RANKINGS:
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10) Chase Briscoe – Joe Gibbs Racing (-6 Spots)
A troublesome finish to the day for Chase Briscoe. He was bumped by Cody Ware and shot to the within of the observe. Within the course of, Austin Dillon zigged as an alternative of zagged, went low, and collided with Briscoe.
Whereas the ultimate consequence wasn’t what he wished, I am not giving up on the 19 group this week. It felt like if anybody needed to fall actually far out of the rankings, it needed to be him resulting from when he wrecked, the place he completed, and what number of stage factors he picked up by means of the race and Duels.
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9) Christopher Bell – Joe Gibbs Racing (-3)
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Christopher Bell (20) throughout qualifying for the Daytona 500.Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photos
(Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photos)
Falling down a number of spots right here like others within the NASCAR Energy Rankings this week, Christopher Bell is the defending winner of this Atlanta race. He received the race final February when the warning got here out on the final lap in a three-wide end with Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson.
Bell was main the within line when and Justin Allgaier collided and prompted that large wreck. Who is aware of if he would have received, however he would have completed higher than P31.
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8) Kyle Larson – Hendrick Motorsports (-3)
It is a disgrace that Kyle Larson can by no means catch a break. Nevertheless, it’s all the time spectacular to look at what Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 crew can do to get these vehicles again on the observe.
At one level, Larson did not have a proper entrance fender. Nonetheless, he completed P16 amongst all the wreckage on the ultimate lap. He did nicely in Atlanta a 12 months in the past, can he observe it up this week and preserve his automotive clear?
7) Chris Buescher – RFK Racing (+3)
Chris Buescher throughout driver introductions at Circuit of the Americas.Jamie Harms-Imagn Photos
(Jamie Harms-Imagn Photos)
P7 within the race, seventh within the NASCAR Energy Rankings. Chris Buescher had a stable Daytona 500 expertise. No less than he made it out of the chaos on the finish cleanly. .
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Buescher is looking for a win this season. It felt just like the 2023 season was a get away 12 months for him when he received three races in 5 weeks. He simply hasn’t been capable of replicate that success within the final two years.
6) Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing (+2)
A stage win underneath warning, led essentially the most laps, and got here away with a extremely good chunk of factors. At one level, it appeared like he was going to have a run on the final lap, but it surely was shut down when William Byron acquired a little bit sideways and the 2 virtually wrecked collectively.
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Wallace determined to raise there and try to get one other run. It did not work out in his favor. Nevertheless, his teammate received the race. Don’t fret, we’ll discuss that.
5) Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing (-2)
Denny Hamlin waves to the gang throughout driver introductions on the Daytona 500. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
((Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos))
The collision with Justin Allgaier was the nail within the coffin for Denny Hamlin and his hopes of a fourth Daytona 500. Nonetheless, as a group proprietor, he picks up his first, and that has to depend for one thing.
Hamlin was main the race when he . Going to Atlanta, Hamlin goes to must . His latest finishes there because the reconfiguration haven’t been the perfect.
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4) William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports (-2)
I am nonetheless very excessive on William Byron this season. Whereas he did not have the perfect Daytona 500 expertise this 12 months after going back-to-back the final two seasons, he will be one of the vital constant drivers. Within the Chase, that may profit him.
Byron and Rudy Fugle are a duo that ought to be revered each week. Except this group simply cannot get it collectively for some motive, they are going to be within the high half of those Energy Rankings seemingly each week.
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3) Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports (+4)
Chase Elliott stands on pit highway throughout NASCAR Cup Collection qualifying.Gary A&interval; Vasquez-Imagn Photos
(Gary A&interval; Vasquez-Imagn Photos)
Whereas it has been superior to see the win for Tyler Reddick and Michael Jordan celebrating and all the fanfare, think about if had gotten it completed? Elliott was so near attaining his first Daytona 500 win, and it simply .
In fact, Elliott received the final Atlanta race from final fall. He is the hometown hero this weekend, so why not run it again and do it another time? Moreover, Elliott did win a Duel race. That has to depend for one thing, proper?
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2) Ryan Blaney – Workforce Penske (-1)
Whereas did not get a terrific end, he’s tenth in factors. P27, however due to his efficiency within the Duels and the phases, he has extra factors than two drivers who completed within the top-10, that is spectacular.
Blaney is a driver who might win this weekend. He has received by the narrowest of margins at different drafting tracks. There isn’t any motive why he cannot do it this time, proper? Moreover, we’re used to Atlanta producing wild finishes. However might it presumably high the end to Daytona?
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1) Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing (NR)
Michael Jordan and Tyler Reddick have a good time the Daytona 500 win in Victory Lane. (Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Photos)
((Photograph by Chris Graythen/Getty Photos))
Silly me, not rating Tyler Reddick final week. He shoots to the highest of the NASCAR Energy Rankings for his nice strikes on the finish of the race, conserving his automotive clear, and positioning himself to win the race.
Reddick did not have any wins final season. Now, he begins the 12 months with the . Nonetheless, this can be a lengthy season, and he will must sustain the tempo if he needs to develop into a NASCAR champion on the finish of the 12 months.
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