'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NASCAR's return from the Olympic break was a blockbuster as Austin Dillon returned to victory lane. The #3 Richard Childress Racing driver made headlines with a controversial finish, wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag.
The #3 RCR team rebounded from a disastrous season with a strong performance at Richmond Raceway, as Dillon appeared poised for a clean win. However, a late race caution triggered an overtime restart, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Ultimately, the #3 Chevy driver managed to secure his playoff ticket.
Trending
Apart from the controversial finish, the Richmond race was uneventful for several championship contenders. Austin Dillon's unexpected victory shook the playoff bubble, with three spots still up for grabs as drivers fight for points to secure their postseason berth.
Ahead of NASCAR's trip to Michigan International Speedway, let us take a look at how the Richmond race influenced the top 5 positions in the power rankings.
Top 5 NASCAR drivers ahead of Michigan Cup race
#5 Chase Elliott
The 2020 NASCAR Cup champion, Chase Elliott, and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates were unimpressive on the 0.750-mile oval. Elliott managed to clinch a top-10 result but dropped behind Tyler Reddick in the regular-season standings.
Heading to Michigan, the #9 Chevy driver hasn't shown recent winning speed at the two-mile oval; however, he has been consistent, with three consecutive runner-up finishes early in his career.
#4 Ryan Blaney
The reigning Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney, had an uneventful race at Richmond Raceway but managed to secure a P11 result. The result snapped his four-race streak of top-ten finishes, which included a victory at Pocono and a third-place finish at Indianapolis.
Heading into Michigan, Blaney will be aiming for his second NASCAR Cup victory at the two-mile oval, having previously won the 2021 edition of the race.
#3 Tyler Reddick
The 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick, maintained his strong momentum following the Olympic break. Reddick finished third at Richmond, marking his fourth top-three finish in the last five races. He is also inching closer to the top spot in the regular-season standings, trailing Kyle Larson by five points.
The #45 Toyota driver was in contention to win the Michigan race last season until a bad pitstop derailed his efforts. Having never scored a top-15 result at the two-mile oval, Reddick will be keen on improving the stat.
#2 Denny Hamlin
The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Denny Hamlin, led a race-high 124 laps at Richmond but conceded the lead to Austin Dillon in the final stint. Despite missing out on the victory, the P2 finish provides stability for the team as they head into the playoffs.
A two-time winner at Michigan, Hamlin has finished inside the top-6 in his last six starts at the two-mile oval.
#1 Kyle Larson
The regular season points leader, Kyle Larson, and the Hendrick Motorsports team had a relatively quiet day at Richmond. Larson managed to navigate to a seventh-place finish at the checkered flag, retaining his lead in the standings.
The 2021 NASCAR champion has a strong history at Michigan International Speedway, steering his Chip Ganassi Racing team to three consecutive wins. He has finished inside the top-7 in his last four starts at the track but is yet to make a trip to the victory lane with HMS.
