Properly, NASCAR followers, we’ve got survived the opening two weeks of drafting races. How are all of us feeling heading into the primary highway course race of the yr? Atlanta supplied some good racing, I’ll say, however for the reason that checkered flag has flown, even with a controversial yellow gentle blinking beneath. So we have to as soon as once more replace the 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings earlier than the Cup Sequence goes left and proper this weekend in Texas.
The Backside Feeders
I used to be anticipating Chris to have a greater run than he did. I do know he bought caught up in a racing incident himself with the 19. Chris didn’t get stage factors or lead any laps so it was a little bit of a disappointment in Atlanta. Now as for COTA, he has critical possibilities to rebound in these 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings.
Hocevar says whereas he has some issues to scrub up, he’s right here to win races not construct boy bands, specific love for others, or play on playgrounds collectively. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/O0qWIzW5hD
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) February 24, 2025
What a race he had. He pissed some folks off however as a fan who cares. Except he pissed off your driver. Both method, I loved the present Carson placed on sufficient to have him crack the highest fifteen on the 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings. As for COTA and expectations, I’ve none for Carson, he’s not the worst highway racer so he may have a stable day once more.
I received’t sugar coat it. This dude has straight up impressed me this season. I do know that we opened up with two drafting tracks. Nonetheless, Austin has arguably had the very best automobile in two again to again races solely to get taken out by no fault of his personal. He’s an honest highway racer as nicely so perhaps we see him crack the win barrier this weekend?
No stage factors however he led some laps. Plus got here house with a prime ten end. Even after some early fireplace being lit between Kyle and Carson Hocevar. Kyle has a mean historical past at COTA, so if he can simply be that it will be an excellent factor I consider.
Stage factors in each levels, and a prime ten end. I’d name that one other stable day for Bubba. This weekend will probably be fascinating to keep watch over Bubba as a result of traditionally he’s not been the very best on highway programs.
2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings Week 3 Mid-Pack Drivers
After being one of many many caught up in Cole Custer’s horrible Daytona 500. He rebounded with a prime ten end at Atlanta. Denny didn’t lead any laps or get any stage factors so it may’ve been higher however nobody will complain an excessive amount of a couple of prime ten on a drafting observe. He hasn’t been horrible at COTA however there positively is room for enchancment.
One other man with a lackluster end, and who had a lackluster day. I hoped to see this automobile carry out higher after the massive penalty they obtained following Daytona. Chase didn’t get any stage factors and once more had the lackluster end. This very nicely could possibly be the beginning of the autumn for Chase on these 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings except he can present a few of these Xfinity highway racing abilities this weekend at COTA.
We have hassle on the frontstretch! @chaseelliott, @keselowski and @CoreyLaJoie are concerned! pic.twitter.com/Otd8QY8t7c
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 23, 2025
He salvaged Atlanta to get a lead lap end nevertheless it was positively a day of “what may’ve been”. In his final two journeys to COTA, Chase has averaged round a tenth place end. Not horrible however I feel lots of people anticipate higher. Keep watch over the 9 automobile this weekend. Chase has been constant once more this season, may he escape this weekend?
He was capable of get again to the lead in Atlanta, and led six laps. He most likely would’ve gotten a prime ten end on the very least if not for his teammate Kyle Larson clearing himself on Austin Cindric. Willy B can head into COTA figuring out he’s bought a win beneath his belt this season and in Austin inside the final three years. I anticipate a stable day for William so long as he doesn’t get caught up in another person’s mess.
See, I informed ya Kaleb, no drop this weekend. It helps the blokes round him too, additionally bought taken out by others. Alex has the very best ending common within the final three COTA races and not using a win. He has the potential to seize that elusive win in Austin, however can he with all the opposite guys who want to do the identical factor?
The High 5
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He led essentially the most laps(83) and essentially the most occasions within the lead(8). Together with these stats, he grabbed stage factors in each levels. It was an excellent rebound for Logano after the bonehead transfer he pulled within the Daytona 500. As for COTA, nicely Logano followers, don’t get excited. Joey has solely averaged round a twenty third place end within the final three COTA races.
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It may’ve been higher for Kyle however I’m certain personally he was ecstatic simply ending certainly one of these races. He was 0-6 on the brand new Atlanta format, so now he can a minimum of say he had an excellent run too. He additionally was capable of get the stage 2 win. Now he can go to COTA and let his driving do extra of the speaking
Strong factors day for our group, and realized lots for subsequent time. Acquired to fulfill Hip-Hop royalty and listen to Beau’s model of the nationwide anthem. 😂@BigBoi | @XfinityRacing pic.twitter.com/Rcwyd5osX7
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) February 24, 2025
It was a quiet day for the main 23XI automobiles. Tyler didn’t have the end he needed, I’d assume. Nonetheless, he did seize stage factors in each levels. Which at all times helps when the end isn’t the very best. Now after surviving the primary two drafting tracks, Tyler can go into COTA with probably the greatest ending averages within the final three races and one win as well.
Dewalt Dub #dewalttough #teamtoyota pic.twitter.com/zX91EZ5jyv
— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) February 24, 2025
How about Christopher Bell successful on a drafting race observe. That was one heck of a solution to bounce again after getting dumped at Daytona the prior week. He will get to journey the waves of momentum into COTA as nicely, the place very similar to Blaney, Bell hasn’t been horrible.
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One other prime ten end, after a stable day. He solely led one whole lap at Atlanta. He was up entrance a ton, and across the leaders till that late spin after contact from the brand new fourteenth place driver on these 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings. He’s main the factors nonetheless heading into COTA. The place he hasn’t precisely sucked it up, he’s averaged round a thirteenth place end within the final three races.
This Weeks Closing Lap
I touched on it in my intro paragraph. I feel Atlanta proved once more why it is among the greatest tickets on the Cup Sequence now to buy. That is the racing, like so many others have stated this week, all of us need to see at Talladega and Daytona. I don’t know the way we may accomplish that or if it’s even doable. Both method, it’s onto The Circuit of The Americas. The structure has been adjusted to a extra “inventory automobile pleasant” structure, apparently in order that will probably be fascinating. In order for you driver picks, you might be within the mistaken spot, these dropped earlier. Nonetheless, I’ll say I anticipate COTA to be one other highway course. Technique will probably be at play, however don’t be stunned to see a late warning trigger loads of chaos in additional time or within the remaining few laps.
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