Shane Van Gisbergen delivered a stunning performance at the NASCAR Cup Series event held Sunday at Watkins Glen International, firmly establishing himself as a top contender in the series. The New Zealand rookie not only met expectations as a favorite but surged ahead to win by more than 10 seconds, rekindling his prominence in the NASCAR power rankings.
This impressive road course triumph brought Van Gisbergen back into the power rankings after a temporary absence, while a surprising new leader has emerged in the latest standings.
Power Rankings Shift After Watkins Glen Race
Van Gisbergen had fallen out of the power rankings just a week earlier following several challenging races on oval tracks. His dominance on the road course at Watkins Glen reaffirmed his status as a playoff dark horse, showcasing his exceptional skill on tracks he favors. Meanwhile, notable contenders Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson struggled throughout the event, paving the way for a fresh face to rise to the top of the rankings.
Top Ten NASCAR Drivers Ranked Following Watkins Glen
10. Tyler Reddick’s Steady Performance Yields Solid Results
Tyler Reddick put together a dependable race at Watkins Glen despite not having an outstanding qualifying or race day. Starting in 21st position, he spent much of the race just outside the top 10 but ultimately secured a respectable ninth-place finish. Avoiding the mishaps that affected other playoff drivers, Reddick demonstrated resilience but continues to lack the winning speed expected from a championship contender.
Many had pegged Reddick as a dark horse for the title this season, but his inconsistent performances leave questions about his ability to launch a winning streak at this point. He hopes to find that momentum soon as the next race at Richmond presents a promising opportunity, where he finished third last year.
9. Shane Van Gisbergen’s Exceptional Road Course Record Remains Unchallenged
Van Gisbergen’s consistency on road courses is unparalleled this season, with four wins in five starts and an average finishing position of 2.0, influenced only slightly by a sixth-place finish at Circuit of the Americas in Austin. His struggles persist on oval tracks, where his average finish dips to 26.7, but his dominance on road courses more than compensates in the eyes of many NASCAR fans.
Although there is some skepticism regarding his ability to succeed once the playoffs narrow focus predominantly on oval tracks—with only a single road course remaining—his performance at Watkins Glen proves he is a serious contender whenever the circuit ventures into his preferred terrain.
8. Bubba Wallace’s Consistency Marks Career High
Bubba Wallace extended his streak of top-10 finishes to four straight races, matching his best career run. His eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen was particularly noteworthy, considering it’s a track that has posed difficulties for him in the past. Wallace’s steady improvements have made him one of the more reliable performers during the latter part of the season.
Racing with a seriousness and confidence that has grown over recent weeks, Wallace has often outpaced his superstar teammate Tyler Reddick in head-to-head comparisons this season, highlighting his potential as a force within the NASCAR Cup Series.
7. Chase Elliott’s Hopeful Campaign Faces Recent Setbacks
After seizing the points lead in July at Dover, Chase Elliott’s performance has taken a concerning downturn, with finishes of 13th, 14th, and a disappointing 26th at Watkins Glen. Though Elliott has a history of strong results at Watkins Glen, including his first career NASCAR victory, recent strategy gambles did not pay off, causing him to fall quickly through the field in the second stage of Sunday’s race.
Currently 42 points behind leader William Byron in the regular-season standings, Elliott’s recent pace has raised questions about his capacity to win going forward, echoing the struggles he faced at the start of the season.
6. Chase Briscoe’s Strong Form Continues
While Elliott’s challenges mount, Chase Briscoe maintains excellent momentum, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at Watkins Glen. Briscoe has secured four top-five finishes in his last five races, marking a career-best run. His crew chief, James Small, has shifted expectations from consistently good finishes to outright race victories, reflecting the team’s growing confidence.
If Briscoe sustains his performance across different track types, he stands as a genuine candidate for not only making the championship four but potentially winning the title in his freshman season with Joe Gibbs Racing.
5. Ryan Blaney’s Early Dominance Fizzles but Points Accumulate
Ryan Blaney demonstrated early strength at Watkins Glen, earning the pole position and leading every lap before pitting to conclude the opening stage. However, a strategic misstep and a subpar pit stop prevented him from challenging for the win, resulting in a sixth-place finish.
Despite this, Blaney captured the second stage victory and collected 14 stage points overall, finishing as the highest points scorer on Sunday. These efforts boosted him above Tyler Reddick in the regular-season standings and moved him within 21 points of third-placed Denny Hamlin as the regular season nears completion.
4. Kyle Larson’s Difficult Summer Continues
Kyle Larson is enduring a difficult stretch this summer, marked by a count of poor finishes including four races outside the top 25 and three beyond the top 35. At Watkins Glen, Larson’s performance was hindered by a poor qualifying session that placed him 28th and a brake issue early in the race.
Although Larson has shown the ability to rebound as evidenced by recent top-five results at Dover and Indianapolis, his struggles at Watkins Glen underscored the challenges he currently faces, leading to his fall to the lowest ranking he’s held all season.
3. Christopher Bell Edges Consistency Over Larson Despite Win Drought
Christopher Bell’s recent form mirrors Kyle Larson in some respects, with no race wins since May except for the non-points All-Star Race victory. However, Bell has been more consistent in maintaining competitive speed during events.
His impressive final charge on Sunday at Watkins Glen, passing Chris Buescher on the last lap to secure second place, illustrates his resilience. Bell heads into next week’s Richmond race on a hopeful note, a track where he reliably finishes in the top 10 and showed dominance by leading 122 laps last year.
2. Denny Hamlin Faces Setbacks After Longevity Atop Leaderboard
After holding the top spot in these power rankings for two months, Denny Hamlin fell to No. 2 following a pair of disappointing weekend performances. Last week’s 24th-place finish at Iowa was compounded by a 25th-place finish at Watkins Glen, where Hamlin struggled through qualifying and never appeared to challenge the leaders during the race.
Despite this downturn, many view Hamlin’s recent results as a temporary setback. With four previous wins at Richmond, the upcoming race could provide an opportunity for him to regain momentum in the regular season.
1. William Byron’s Resurgence Moves Him to the Top of Rankings
William Byron’s recent streak has revitalized his season, shaking off earlier questions about his form. A win last week at Iowa followed by a strong fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen has propelled him to the top of both the regular-season points standings and the power rankings for the first time this year.
Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports team accumulated 42 points on Sunday, extending his lead significantly. He now holds a 42-point advantage over second-place Chase Elliott and a commanding 81 points over third-place Denny Hamlin. As the regular season draws to a close, Byron is positioned strongly to clinch the regular-season title along with the 15 valuable playoff points it awards.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Dynamics and Potential Shifts
Shane Van Gisbergen’s return to the spotlight underscores the continued importance of road course specialists amidst a series dominated by oval tracks. As the playoffs approach, with limited road courses remaining, questions loom about whether Van Gisbergen’s dominance will translate into long-term playoff success on more diverse circuits.
Meanwhile, William Byron’s commanding lead places him in a strong position to secure the regular-season championship, but drivers like Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe remain threats if they return to winning form. The upcoming races, including Richmond, could prove critical in setting the tone for the playoff battles, with several drivers fighting to establish or reclaim momentum as they face the season’s most intense challenges.