Entering the second race of the debut Cup season, Jim Roper was the highest-rated driver, but he did not race at Daytona. The third-place drivers finished at the top of the table. With the unreliable sample size of one race, the current ratings were predictive in determining the order of finish Red Byron improves from ØR (Øverrated Rating) to 1693 ØR. Fifth-place finisheri from to 1674 ØR.
The population of the NASCAR Driver Universe (NDU) has grown to forty-one. Glen Dunaway has finished last for a second straight week, dropping his 1366 ØR to 1292 ØR.
Due to the peculiarities of the mathematics of ELO-based ratings, Jim Roper’s rating remains the same; however, his rank falls to third behind Red Byron and Tim Flock.
Top 10 Drivers
| Driver | ØR |
| Red Byron | 1693 |
| Tim Flock | 1674 |
| Jim Roper | 1629 |
| Bill Blair | 1609 |
| Sam Rice | 1605 |
| Archie Smith | 1589 |
| Joel Littlejohn | 1589 |
| Jimmy Thompson | 1587 |
| Sterling Long | 1581 |
| Frank Christian | 1573 |
(sps – 2026-08-09)