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NASCAR: Five Drivers Most Likely To Disappoint In 2017

By Christopher Olmstead

Jul 1, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (L) talks with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (R) during qualifying for the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (L) talks with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (R) during qualifying for the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; Crew members push the car of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman in the garage during qualifying for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bowman is subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; Crew members push the car of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman in the garage during qualifying for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Bowman is subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In a perfect world Dale Earnhardt Jr. would win 3-5 races in 2017 on his way to an appearance in the Chase and ultimately a trip to the final-four. From there Earnhardt would cap his comeback off with his first championship which would lead to questions about his retirement and future plans in the world of NASCAR.

Now, let’s jump back to reality for a moment.

Could all of that happen? Of course it could. It was only a couple of seasons ago that Earnhardt was winning multiple races and looked to be primed to make a run for a title. The issue with 2017 is that so much has to go right for the driver of the No. 88 machine.

First Earnhardt has to win, something that has not happened since 2015. Yes, I know he missed half of 2016, but he wasn’t winning before he was done for the season. Second, Earnhardt has to make it to the final-four in the Chase, something that he has never done in his career as he tends to struggle down the stretch (IE 2014 and 2015).

Third and most important, Earnhardt has to stay healthy in 2017, which could or could not happen as there is no way of guessing how this plays out. Earnhardt could easily have no issues in 2017 and not miss a single race, then again, he could also wreck at Daytona and end up with another concussion.

Must Read: The 20 Biggest Questions Heading In 2017

For Earnhardt to get where his fans want him to be in 2017, a lot has to go right for him and his team. While it’s not impossible, it’s just more likely not to happen given recent events and some of the road blocks that will be ahead of the driver of the No. 88 machine this season.

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