2023 NASCAR Power Rankings: Hendrick Motorsports Reigns, Gibbs and Penske Showcases

2023 NASCAR Power Rankings: Hendrick Motorsports secures the pinnacle spot in the NASCAR Power Rankings, emerging as the dominant force this season by clinching the most wins.

Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske clinch second and third spots respectively, showcasing stellar performances with multiple wins and successful representation in the Championship 4.

2023 NASCAR POWER RANKINGS:

1. Hendrick Motorsports — Despite two drivers missing a collective 11 weeks of the season, the organization triumphed with the other two drivers clinching the highest number of wins. William Byron claimed six victories, while Kyle Larson secured four, both finishing in the top three in the series after reaching the Championship 4.
2. Joe Gibbs Racing — JGR’s quartet delivered an impressive season. Christopher Bell clinched two wins and a spot in the Championship 4. Denny Hamlin claimed three victories and secured a fifth-place finish in points. Martin Truex Jr. triumphed thrice, bagging the regular-season championship but faced playoff struggles, concluding the season in 11th place. Rookie Ty Gibbs, with 10 top-10 finishes and four top fives, landed in the 18th spot.
3. Team Penske — Ryan Blaney’s three wins secured his first Cup championship, yet Team Penske grappled with consistency. Joey Logano secured a single win but faced elimination in the Round of 16 in the playoffs as the reigning champion. Austin Cindric, the reigning Rookie of the Year, only managed five top-10 finishes and one top five, finishing the season in 24th place.
4. RFK Racing — 2023 marked a significant year for RFK Racing. Despite Brad Keselowski’s winless streak, his consistent performance landed him eighth in points, averaging a finish of 14.4. Chris Buescher marked a breakout season with three wins, 17 top-10 finishes, and nine top fives, setting personal bests.
5. 23XI Racing — In a historical feat, both 23XI Racing drivers secured playoff berths. Tyler Reddick claimed two wins, finishing sixth in points, marking his best Cup driver season. Bubba Wallace clinched 10th place in points, achieving a career-best average finish of 15.9 and improving his starting position.
6. Richard Childress Racing — While RCR had strong moments early in the season, challenges arose later. Kyle Busch’s three wins within the initial 15 weeks were offset by nine finishes outside the top 20 in the final 16 races, missing the Round of 8 in the playoffs. Austin Dillon faced penalties and struggled, finishing 20th or worse in 19 races.

1. Trackhouse Racing — This two-car team celebrated three wins this season, with Ross Chastain securing two victories and Shane van Gisbergen claiming one. Daniel Suarez missed the playoffs and remained winless, encountering inconsistent speed throughout the season.
2. JTG Daugherty Racing — Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Daytona 500 win, aided by reuniting with former Xfinity crew chief Mike Kelley, marked a highlight. Stenhouse tallied nine top-10 finishes, matching his career-best, and secured an average finish of 17.8.
3. Front Row Motorsports — Michael McDowell’s win and playoff return marked a resurgence, securing a career-best 15th place. Todd Gilliland showcased progress with four top-10 finishes, enhancing his average finish from 23.2 to 22.0.
4. Stewart-Haas Racing — Kevin Harvick concluded his final season in the playoffs, finishing 13th in points. Chase Briscoe encountered penalties but managed a 30th place finish. Aric Almirola secured five top-10 finishes, while Ryan Preece, in his first full season, ended 23rd with limited top finishes.

ALSO READ: Hendrick Motorsports 2023 Season: Reflecting on Challenges and Triumphs