Man, this NASCAR playoff picture is getting wild. The first round was a demolition derby of hopes and dreams, and now we\u2019re staring down the barrel of the Round of 12. This is where the contenders really separate themselves from the pretenders. Forget what you thought you knew. After the chaos of Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol, it\u2019s time to take a hard look at these playoff rankings and see who\u2019s got the juice to make a real run for the championship.<\/p>\n
This next set of tracks, including New Hampshire, Kansas, and the Charlotte Roval, is a monster. It\u2019s a mix of a flat short track, a fast-as-heck intermediate, and a road course that can throw a wrench in anyone\u2019s plans. A driver has to be versatile, a team has to be sharp, and a little bit of luck wouldn\u2019t hurt. Let\u2019s break down who\u2019s looking strong and who\u2019s just hanging on for dear life.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWho is the True Favorite in the NASCAR Playoff Rankings?
\nDenny Hamlin<\/p>\n
You have to start with Denny Hamlin.<\/a> Even with a rough go at Bristol, he\u2019s sitting pretty at the top of the playoff rankings. That win at Gateway was a masterclass, a powerful reminder that when the No. 11 car is on, it\u2019s on. Hamlin drives with the savvy of a veteran who has seen it all, and this year, he seems to have an extra gear of focus. The question, as it always is with Hamlin, is whether he can finally close the deal.<\/p>\n This round will be a huge test. If he comes out swinging at New Hampshire and Kansas, that confidence could become an unstoppable force. But a couple of stumbles, and you\u2019ll hear the whispers start all over again. He\u2019s my pick for the Championship Four, but he\u2019s got to earn it right here.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKyle Larson<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let a rough opening round fool you. Kyle Larson is still Kyle Larson.<\/a> Yes, not having top-10s in the first three playoff races looks bad on paper, but this is the guy who can find speed anywhere, on any track. This upcoming round is practically built for him. He\u2019s a beast at Kansas and a magician at the Roval.<\/p>\n He has this uncanny ability to shake off a bad race and show up the following week like nothing happened. While other drivers might be rattled, Larson will probably climb in the car and drive the wheels off it. He\u2019s got the talent and the Hendrick Motorsports equipment to make a deep run, and I fully expect him to be battling for the title in Phoenix.<\/p>\n Who is Rising in the Playoff Rankings?
\nChristopher Bell<\/p>\n