SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s Power Rankings

The NASCAR Cup Series competed in its second road course race of the season last Sunday. Here’s a look at the ‘Power Rankings’ after the Toyota SaveMart 350.

by:
Pete Pistone
June 14, 2022

SONOMA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Onx Homes/Renu Chevrolet, celebrates by drinking wine in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Pete Pistone will unveil Power Rankings each week of the NASCAR season. Check out this week’s edition of NASCAR Power Rankings below, and listen to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) on the SXM App now.

The NASCAR Cup Series competed in its second road course race of the season last Sunday. Here’s a look at the Power Rankings after the Toyota SaveMart 350:

1. Ross Chastain

While one Trackhouse Racing driver was celebrating in Victory Lane, Chastain scored another top-10 finish driving to a seventh-place finish on an afternoon that also included a spin out as well.

Point Standings: 2nd
Last Week: 2nd

2. Chase Elliott

Unfortunately for Elliott and his faithful Sonoma turned out to be another tough day for the Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 team on pit road. The miscue cost Elliott an opportunity to put another road course win in the record book and despite leading 26 laps he had to work hard just to finish eighth.

Point Standings: 1st
Last Week: 8th

3. Kyle Busch

His weekend started out well with a victory in Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race but Sunday’s Cup Series main event did not go well at all for Busch. It included a spin late and Busch left Sonoma with a very disappointing 30th-place finish.

Point Standings: 3rd
Last Week: 1st

4. Daniel Suarez

The Trackhouse Racing driver became the fourth new Cup Series race winner in 2022 and Suarez finally found Victory Lane in his 195th career start. He led 47 laps including the final 26 to give the upstart Trackhouse team its third victory of the season and he is the fifth foreign born driver to win at NASCAR’s highest level.

Point Standings: 17th
Last Week: NR

5. Kyle Larson

By far the most dominant car of the weekend as Larson won the pole, took the first stage and led 26 laps. But his wheel came off late in the race meaning a four week suspension for crew chief Cliff Daniels when the series picks up again after the Father’s Day weekend break.

Point Standings: 7th
Last Week: 9th

6. Ryan Blaney

Back in the rankings this week after a good outing in Sonoma. Blaney is underrated as a road racing driver and although he didn’t have enough to challenge for the lead and win, the Team Penske driver put another top-10 on the board, his fourth in the last five Sonoma races.

Point Standings: 4th
Last Week: NR

7. Christopher Bell

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver had high hopes for Sonoma given his past road racing prowess. But issues earlier in the weekend added up to a 31st-place starting spot and Bell could do no better than 27th on Sunday.

Point Standings: 10th
Last Week: 3rd

8. Denny Hamlin

Miserable best describes Hamlin’s day as he struggled all afternoon in Sonoma. Despite being a two time winner, Hamlin’s 31st-place performance has been more indicative of his overall season.

Point Standings:
Last Week: 5th

9. Chase Briscoe

A middle of the pack kind of day at Sonoma for Briscoe. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver pretty much finished where he started taking the green flag 15th and finishing two spots better.

Point Standings: 13th
Last Week: 10th

10. Joey Logano

His follow-up to winning the week before at World Wide Technology Raceway was a sour one. While Logano did pace the field of four laps, he faded back in th elater going and left Sonoma with a 17th-place finish.

Point Standings: 5th
Last Week: 4th

Dropped Out: Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch



Share: