Three races down, and now the schedule heads to Phoenix Raceway. That is going to be the primary “conventional” oval on the calendar. Then once more, you may argue that Phoenix is not like every other monitor on the schedule with the dogleg and its flat, one-mile structure.
Up to now, solely Tyler Reddick in 2026. Truthfully, that would proceed this week as properly. He is led essentially the most laps in every of the final two races and began on the pole, as soon as by metric rating and as soon as by qualifying.
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Let’s get into who the highest drivers are this week as we transfer ahead with the 2026 season. It should be one other enjoyable weekend of racing.
10. Brad Keselowski – RFK Racing
Is Brad Keselowski a world beater proper now? No. However a person his age recovering from a damaged proper femur ending within the top-20 in every of those first three races is massively spectacular.
Keselowski continues to be limping round along with his cane after races. However proper now, he is twelfth in factors and has finishes of P5, P17, and P20.
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9. AJ Allmendinger – Kaulig Racing
AJ Allmendinger is launched on the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 9, 2024.Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photographs
(Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Photographs)
How concerning the begin to the season that AJ Allmendinger is having? The Dinger needed to get at COTA. Nonetheless, he completed P9 and now sits eighth within the factors standing.
Similar to Keselowski, Allmendinger has completed contained in the top-20 these first three weeks. Will that proceed?
8. Joey Logano – Crew Penske
It is an even-numbered 12 months. has finishes of P3, P18, and P15. He is sixth in factors, and appears like he is prepared for the lengthy haul.
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Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA aren’t normal tracks. Nonetheless, Logano has weathered the storm.
7. Zane Smith – Entrance Row Motorsports
Zane Smith walks out onto the stage for driver introductions earlier than the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.Jamie Harms-Imagn Photographs
(Jamie Harms-Imagn Photographs)
Maybe, apart from Tyler Reddick, the shock of the early season. Zane Smith has two top-10 finishes, a stage win, and appears like the driving force he was billed to be a couple of years in the past.
Anybody shocked about Smith’s stable runs this season won’t bear in mind how nice he was within the Truck Sequence. Smith is seen as a possible star and should even be making a transfer to be FRM’s franchise driver.
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6. Carson Hocevar – Spire Motorsports
Sitting tenth in factors, Carson Hocevar has already angered a couple of of us and endeared himself to followers all on the identical time. P4 at Atlanta is the spotlight thus far, however Hocevar doubtless has extra tips up his sleeve.
Hocevar is a younger, controversial driver. However he is additionally one of the gifted wheelmen out on the monitor every week.
5. Shane van Gisbergen – Trackhouse Racing
NASCAR Xfinity driver Shane Van Gisbergen (97) throughout driver introductions at Circuit of the Americas.© Michael C&interval; Johnson-Imagn Photographs
(© Michael C&interval; Johnson-Imagn Photographs)
Maybe Shane van Gisbergen just isn’t a one-trick pony. P6 at Atlanta and P2 at COTA have SVG sitting fifth total in factors. That is not one thing anybody anticipated going into the season.
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The factor is, he does not even have that many stage factors. 16 complete on the season, there are 12 drivers who’ve as many or extra stage factors already. Can SVG preserve his early-season success?
4. Ryan Blaney – Crew Penske
As soon as once more, is holding down the Ford camp. He is Crew Penske’s finest driver via the primary three races and seemed like he was going to problem Tyler Reddick to the win at COTA.
Blaney sits 4th in factors, has two top-10 finishes, and 34 stage factors. That is doing a whole lot of heavy lifting for Blaney. Totally anticipate Blaney to be a contender this weekend at Phoenix as properly. It is maybe his finest monitor.
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3. Bubba Wallace – 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace throughout driver intros at EchoPark Speedway. (Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs)
((Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs))
Three races into the season, and is sitting at 2nd in factors. He has two stage wins, led essentially the most laps at Daytona, and hasn’t completed worse than P11 but.
Whereas Reddick is getting the popularity he rightfully deserves, Wallace is quietly biding his time. Will it’s the 23 group’s flip to win right here quickly?
2. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports
P4, P11, and P7. has had a constant season. He is selecting up proper the place he left off, and Elliott shall be profitable races earlier than we all know it. Elliott is by far the very best Hendrick driver in factors proper now at third. Subsequent finest is William Byron in thirteenth.
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Elliott received two factors races final season. Followers shall be watching to see if he can get again to being a 3, 4, 5 win driver each season.
1. Tyler Reddick – 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba On line casino Toyota, celebrates after profitable his third race in a row to begin the 2026 NASCAR season. (Picture by James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)
((Picture by James Gilbert/Getty Photographs))
Prime canine! Tyler Reddick has received three races in a row and has led essentially the most laps in every of the final two weekends. He is put 23XI Racing and NASCAR on his again to begin the season.
Michael Jordan says he is coming to Phoenix, and may you blame him? He is been in attendance to observe his driver win all three of those races, and he is not going to alter that till his .
This story was initially printed by on Mar 2, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
