Power Rankings

Power Rankings: Thornton Rises, Sweet Falls Out Of Top Five

It’s time for a new edition of SPEED SPORT Power Rankings. Who will be on top this week?

1. Austin Prock

Austin Prock was the top qualifier for the 15th time this season, clinched his first NHRA Funny Car title and recorded a 340 mph run before losing to teammate Jack Beckman in the final round of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season at Pomona, Calif. Last Week: 1

2. Bobby Pierce

Bobby Pierce has won 38 dirt late model features this season, including many of the sport’s biggest events. Last Week: 2

3. Carson Macedo

Carson Macedo earned his 12th World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series triumph of the campaign during the World of Outlaws World Finals. He finished the season second in the WoO standings. Last Week: 3

4. Joey Logano

Joey Logano won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway to secure his third series championship and his fourth victory of the season. Last Week: 4

5. Ricky Thornton Jr.

Ricky Thornton Jr. swept the Peach State Classic at Georgia’s Senoia Raceway for his 28th and 29th victories of the season. He also claimed the Castrol Night in America title. Last Week: Not Ranked

6. Antron Brown

Antron Brown won the season-ending NHRA event at Pomona, Calif., to secure his fourth Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship. Sunday marked his sixth victory of the season and his third in six races during the Countdown. Last Week: Not Ranked

7. Matt Hirschman

Matt Hirschman earned his 10th North-South Shootout victory at North Carolina’s Caraway Speedway continuing a late-season tear that included a Race of Champions victory and the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series title. Last Week: 5

8. Brad Sweet

Brad Sweet won three races in a row during the final week of High Limit Racing competition and secured the series championship Saturday Texas Motor Speedway. Sweet won 10 High Limit features this year. Last Week: 6

9. Kody Swanson

Kody Swanson claimed the $50,000 top prize in the Open Wheel Showdown at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Swanson also earned the USAC Silver Crown and 500 Sprint Car Tour titles this season. Last Week: Not Ranked

10. David Gravel

David Gravel earned his 15th World of Outlaws victory and 16th overall triumph while securing his first series championship during the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Last Week: 8

What’s Next?: Only a handful of opportunities to move into the power rankings remain on the 2024 schedule.