SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s Power Rankings – February 21, 2023

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 officially kicked off the 2023 season. Here is a look at the “Power Rankings” after the Daytona 500:

1. Joey Logano

The defending Cup series champion came within an eyelash of taking home the Daytona trophy. Logano was just behind Stenhouse, Jr. when the race was declared official and began his quest for a second straight title with a second place finish in the season’s biggest race.

Point Standings: 1st
Last Week: 1st

2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Daytona delivered another underdog story in Stenhouse, Jr. and the JTG Daugherty Racing team which became the first single car operation to win the 500 since Trevor Bayne and the Wood Brothers in 2011. He led once for ten laps and was in front when the final caution ended the race.

Point Standings: 3rd
Last Week: NR

3. Ross Chastain

A pretty quiet day for Chastain who didn’t make a lot of noise but was good enough to open up the 2023 season with a top-10 finish in “The Great American Race.”

Point Standings: 6th
Last Week: 3rd

4. Christopher Bell

By far the best Toyota of the weekend belonged to Bell. His third place finish included 20 laps at the point and with a little help, who knows if Bell might have found his way to Victory Lane.

Point Standings: 4th
Last Week: 5th

5. Chris Buescher

One of the day’s most pleasant surprises, Buescher like his RFK teammate Brad Keselowski spent a great deal of time at the front including 32 laps in the lead. Buescher’s finish of fourth was a huge shot in the arm to the team’s 2023 fortunes.

Point Standings: 2nd
Last Week: NR

6. Ryan Blaney

Another driver that suffered huge problems early but Blaney and company kept digging and when all was said and done ended up coming home eighth in the 500.

Point Standings: 7th
Last Week: NR

7. Alex Bowman

He had lots of speed in qualifying and started the race from the pole once again. But Bowman was able to back up that run with a day near the front of the field and he started the campaign with a top-five finish.

Point Standings: 5th
Last Week: NR

8. Denny Hamlin

Not much of a shot at a fourth Daytona 500 win for Hamlin who found himself without help when he needed it and the Joe Gibbs Racing driver posted a disappointing 17th place finish.

Point Standings: 19th
Last Week: 6th

9. Daniel Suarez

Not an easy day by any means for Suarez who somehow piloted his battered and bruised Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet home to a top-10 Daytona 500 finish.

Point Standings: 12th
Last Week: NR

10. Brad Keselowski 

He didn’t get the finish to back up his performance but Keselowski looked very strong in the 500 and had his Ford in front of the field for 42 laps before finishing 22nd.

Point Standings: 11th
Last Week: NR

Dropped Out: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe