We just rank 'em, folks.
We don't accumulate points and list our guys here according to how many of those points they've tucked away. So the only difference between, say, No. 1 and No. 4 is three spots.
Without a points value attached, we can't and don't see how close things might be here on a weekly basis. But rest assured, it's damn close.
You can't logically uproot Kyle Larson after his first clunker in a long while. But you gotta assume that Chase Briscoe, on a nice roll of his own lately, could make his way up top any week now.
Or he could also swap spots with the guy in third. Or fourth.
While not mathematically close, there's a definite tightening among our top 10 these days. Or at least this week.
1. Kyle Larson
His grip on our No. 1 rung has loosened some more.
2. Chase Briscoe
Won Talladega's fall race last year.
The championship battle is wide open as we head to the track where anything can happen. pic.twitter.com/vFBRsJl7Gg
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 20, 2026
3. Christopher Bell
Over on the official points table, this guy is filling Larson’s mirror right now.
4. Ryan Blaney
Has brushed off early Chase funk and is back in gear.
5. Tyler Reddick
Speaking of comebacks! He'd forgotten how champagne tasted.
TYLER REDDICK WINS IN PHOENIX! pic.twitter.com/oT5Wbu19Hn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 18, 2026
6. Denny Hamlin
Shouldn't wait much longer before flipping the switch.
7. Joey Logano
Big points day at Phoenix for Joey.
8. Austin Cindric
Pretty solid little plate-racer, so expect him to run near the front this week.
9. Chase Elliott
Look who’s back on the beam!
10. Ty Gibbs
And look who’s hanging on here at the bottom of our weekly endeavor.
#NASCARpic.twitter.com/yXEitxIltg
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) May 8, 2023
Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR driver rankings and a tighter Top 10; how's Kyle Larson's grip with Talladega next