michael jordan Moment? Tyler Reddick Surges as Chase Elliott Moves to Top in NASCAR Power Rankings
Tyler Reddick’s return to the power rankings and Chase Elliott’s ascent to the top spot reshaped the pecking order heading into the Atlanta race weekend. With race coverage set to begin at 2 p. m. ET Sunday, teams will take Daytona’s shakeup into a new chapter at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Reddick’s surge and the ripple effects from Daytona
Tyler Reddick was outside the top 10 entering the Daytona 500 but his performance over the opening weekend forced a re-evaluation. The 23XI Racing driver’s rebound has him inserted back into the rankings at No. 7, a clear signal that early-season fortunes can change in an instant. Reddick’s climb underscores how a strong qualifying or duel showing can vault a driver from overlooked to influential in a matter of days.
Daytona’s chaos also highlighted the uneven nature of the superspeedway carousel. Several contenders ran strong at times only to be banged up by late incidents. A handful of drivers walked away with valuable insight into drafting and damage repair that could pay dividends at Atlanta, where close-quarters racing and attrition often determine outcomes.
Elliott’s move to No. 1 and what to expect in Atlanta
Chase Elliott’s duel victory and a top-five finish in his qualifier propelled him to the top of the rankings. Elliott also finished fourth in the Daytona 500 and left the track feeling the sting of being passed and tagged late in the race—evidence that even frontrunning performances can carry unfinished business.
Logano also produced notable tempo: he won his duel and put together a third-place showing in his heat, placing him high in early standings and second in the points after one race. That Penske driver’s ability to contend in the closing stages despite contact among leaders at the end suggests he will be in the mix in Atlanta.
Drivers who excel at discipline and track position will likely benefit when the field compresses and strategy matters most. Elliott’s recent win at Atlanta gives him both confidence and a target on his back; expect other teams to treat his performance as a benchmark for the weekend.
On the verge: who’s knocking at the door
A group of drivers sits just outside the primary rankings but could break through quickly. Names to watch include Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith and Bubba Wallace. Each carries the upside to vault into contention with a handful of strong laps or a clean pit sequence.
Several notable storyline finishes from Daytona will carry into Atlanta. A driver who led laps only to be collected in late accidents learned valuable lessons in damage control when forced to repair and return to the track. Others endured multi-car incidents that dropped them from contention but left their teams with a clearer picture of setup and repairs under pressure.
There were also sobering results: one contender was wrecked and finished 35th while others left with double-digit finishes after surviving multiple incidents. Those outcomes underline how quickly momentum can swing and how important it is to balance aggression with preservation on short runs and restarts.
As teams converge on Atlanta Motor Speedway, the weekend will test who can translate Daytona’s takeaways into a setup that works on a different kind of fast, tight oval. With the leaderboard already rearranged, the next round of racing begins at 2 p. m. ET Sunday and promises another round of shifts in the early-season pecking order.
