NASCAR Power Rankings: Top 10 drivers after Coca-Cola 600. Kyle Larson spins off top spot
Twice.
In Kyle's world, one bad day (and night) constitutes a slump. Generally, we're a forgiving bunch at the Rankings Ranch, and one bad Sunday doesn't normally have us grabbing the hook. But this "one bad Sunday" came with a glaring spotlight.
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And it came during a weekend in which Billy the Kid — William Byron — was giving a master class in how to race an automobile at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Consider his dominance over the course of about 30 hours.
Byron not only won Saturday's Xfinity Series race, he swept all three stages. Sunday night, he won all three stages again, but this time, there was a fourth stage, thanks to the 600 miles that make up the Coke 600. Late in Stage 4, his tires began to go night-night, allowing Ross "The Boss" Chastain to pass for the win.
It was very similar to what happened to Willy B last month at Darlington.
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Not that he'll care, but Byron's near-sweep at Charlotte did bump him to first place in our weekly power rankings. He'll surely sleep better knowing that.
1. William Byron
A near Charlotte sweep has him atop our heap.
2. Christopher Bell
He just doesn't have bad weeks. Sunday's eighth-place finish was about as bad as it gets.
3. Kyle Larson
May ends soon and we turn to June. Bet he can't wait.
4. Ross Chastain
Win a race, smash a watermelon, scoop up watermelon, eat some. Maybe not appetizing to some, but Ross likes it.
That watermelon was getting ripe.
5. Joey Logano
Won last year's race at Nashville. Might mean something, might not.
6. Chase Elliott
Just filling his points basket. Ex-Hendrick champ Terry Labonte would be proud.
7. Ryan Blaney
Mixes in too many crashes. Has four finishes of 35th or worse.
8. Denny Hamlin
Got back in the mix Sunday before an unfulfilling pit stop.
9. Chase Briscoe
Snuck out a third at Charlotte. Continues to run well most weeks.
10. Alex Bowman
Came down to him or Tyler Reddick for 10th. It's the Showman. For now.
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— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kyle Larson spins from top of NASCAR Power Rankings. Who's No. 1 now?
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