Who is the best driver in NASCAR? It’s an answer that changes from race to race, with several top drivers vying for the top spot on our 20023 NASCAR power rankings.
Taking into account their performances from competing in events all season long, our power rankings set out to place a crown on the best NASCAR driver in the world.
Bookmark this page throughout the season for updates to our weekly NASCAR power rankings as we look at how the top 20 full-time drivers perform.
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20. A.J. Allmendinger
- Previously: No. 20 in NASCAR power rankings
Allmendinger has been surging recently, but it may be too little, too late for a shot at the playoffs. He’s raced just one time in Atlanta, where he finished 16th, so there’s no telling what to expect for Allmendinger this Sunday.
19. Ty Gibbs
- Previously: No. 19 in NASCAR power rankings
Still just 20, Gibbs is still gaining valuable experience on race courses across the nation. Coming off a ninth-place finish, Gibbs hopes to make waves this weekend.
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18. Alex Bowman
- Previously: No. 18 in NASCAR power rankings
When he’s been able to race, Bowman has put forth a consistent effort, often placing within the top ten, with six such finishes so far. Typically a strong performer in Atlanta, we expect Bowman to be in the mix to win at the Motor Speedway.
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17. Daniel Suarez
- Previously: No. 17 in NASCAR power rankings
With just one top-five finish all season, but he’s been racing much better as of late. Even though he’s led for just 17 laps in 2023, there’s hope for Suarez to turn in a big day this weekend.
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16. Bubba Wallace
- Previously: No. 16 in NASCAR power rankings
Despite finishing second in the All-Star Race, Bubba Wallace has yet to emerge with a win this season. He’ll need a clean race to make up any ground with the year dwindling down, and his chances don’t look strong in Atlanta, where he’s never had a top-ten finish.
15. Tyler Reddick
- Previously: No. 15 in NASCAR power rankings
Having led for 209 laps this season and taking home first place at the Circuit of Americas back in March, Reddick could be primed for a big day on Sunday.
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14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Previously: No. 14 in NASCAR power rankings
In the midst of a career-best season, Stenhouse is in a bit of a funk. After finishing 34th in the Chicago Street Race, Stenhouse needs a near-perfect effort to avoid sliding toward the back of the pack.
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13. Chris Buescher
- Previously: No. 13 in NASCAR power rankings
Buescher may not be on the radar when it comes to ranking the top drivers in NASCAR, but he’s put together a strong season that includes eight top-ten finishes. We just don’t expect him to be at the front of the pack this weekend in Atlanta, having never finished better than seventh at the Motor Speedway.
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12. Brad Keselowski
- Previously: No. 12 in NASCAR power rankings
Keselowski’s placement in our power rankings comes close to his average finish this season (15.8). Despite not having any wins to date, his chances of breaking that streak on the Atlanta Motor Speedway look promising after finishing second on this course back in March.
11. Chase Elliott
- Previously: No. 11 in NASCAR power rankings
Elliott has good reason to be upset, as this year has not come anywhere close to living up to his expectations. On the bright side, his top-five placements in his past three races give reason for hope.
10. Ryan Blaney
- Previously: No. 10 in NASCAR power rankings
Blaney’s season has been marred by car wrecks, but luckily he’s been able to stay fairly healthy throughout the process. With his win in Charlotte being his big highlight of the year, Blaney is running out of time to make up serious ground.
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9. Kevin Harvick
- Previously: No. 9 in NASCAR power rankings
Kevin Harvick’s retirement campaign continues in 2023, bringing the end of a Hall of Fame racing career. He doesn’t have any wins this season, but he’s still making a push toward the playoffs as the season winds down. We’ll see what he has in store for the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
8. Joey Logano
- Previously: No. 8 in NASCAR power rankings
Logano’s tough season continued on Sunday, finishing 19th in Nashville, but we’ve seen him come up big in clutch moments before. After a top-ten finish in Chicago, Logano needs another strong effort in Atlanta.
7. Denny Hamlin
- Previously: No. 6 in NASCAR power rankings
Hamlin has been one of the most consistent drivers this season, even taking home a win at the AdventHealth 400. With another win seemingly in reach almost every time he takes the course, Hamlin could come up big at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
6. Christopher Bell
- Previously: No. 7 in NASCAR power rankings
Bell may be a notch or two below Truex, his fellow Toyota teammate, but having won the Bristol Dirt Race, he showed he can compete with the best. Typically a strong driver on road courses, Bell managed to win Stage 1 and 2 in Chicago but couldn’t stay ahead of the pack after several unexpected setbacks.
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5. Kyle Larson
- Previously: No. 5 in NASCAR power rankings
Larson is now 70 points behind the NASCAR Cup Series leader, but his two wins can’t be forgotten. Nor can his eight top-five finishes, which are the most in NASCAR. Four top-ten finishes in a row suggest he’s in a groove, and we could see another great performance soon.
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4. Ross Chastain
- Previously: No. 4 in NASCAR power rankings
Ross Chastain’s win at Ally 400 has him soaring up the NASCAR power rankings after facing plenty of struggles earlier this season. We’ll see if he can maintain momentum down the stretch.
3. Kyle Busch
- Previously: No. 3 in NASCAR power rankings
NASCAR’s all-time record-holder in Xfinity Series wins is also tied for the most victories so far in 2023. Kyle Busch has had his down moments, but he’s also had some excellent performances this season. It’s hard to place Busch outside of the top-three in our eyes.
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2. William Byron
- Previously: No. 2 in NASCAR power rankings
Only two drivers have won three races so far this season. William Byron is one of them. He also has the most top-five and top-ten finishes in NASCAR. Some might even suggest Byron has been NASCAR’s best driver, having led 722 laps in 2023. No other driver has more than 588.
1. Martin Truex Jr.
- Previously: No. 1 in NASCAR power rankings
Sitting on top of the NASCAR Cup Series standings, there is no better NASCAR driver than Martin Truex Jr. He’s recorded two wins and six top-five finishes for Joe Gibbs Racing to secure the top spot of Sportsnaut’s NASCAR power rankings.
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