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NASCAR: The Big 2017 Prediction Page

By Christopher Olmstead

May 1, 2016; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2017; Huntersville, NC, USA; NASCAR driver Carl Edwards announces his retirement during a press conference at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Huntersville, NC, USA; NASCAR driver Carl Edwards announces his retirement during a press conference at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

What Is Your Boldest Prediction For 2017?

  • Christopher Olmstead: Chase Elliott will win a race in 2017 and make it to the final-four in the Chase. He will also be one of at least three first-time winners in 2017.

  • Alex Herbst: My boldest prediction for 2017 won’t truly come into play until the end of the season. Expect Matt Kenseth to retire from racing, and be replaced by Erik Jones in the #20 Toyota for the 2018 season

  • Matt Lovisa: Another top-level driver announces their intention to retire after the 2017 season. It may not seem too bold after the Carl Edwards surprise. But if NASCAR sees another star driver walk away for the third season in a row, it would provide another offseason discussion surrounding the state of NASCAR.

  • Michael Guadalupe: This will be Dale Jr’s last season as a driver. Health concerns and maybe the potential of starting a family will take NASCAR’s favorite driver away from the sport as a driver after 2017. He will still be involved in the sport as he oversees Jr Motorsports.

  • Dhruva Byrapatna: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. retires after the season and is replaced by William Byron. Dale Jr just tied the knot this past offseason, and will certainly be thinking about his wife and family every time he steps in the car. With Byron rising quickly through NASCAR’s ranks, we could see Junior step aside due to his ongoing health concerns. He’ll still be involved through his Nationwide team, but don’t be surprised if Dale Jr climbs out of the car for good after Homestead.

  • Kayla Gipson: I don’t know if this is a bold prediction since most people are expecting this to after last season with Jeff. Either Carl Edwards, Tony, Stewart, Greg Biffle, or all three will come back and race a couple of races this season.

  • Dominic Lee: My boldest prediction in 2017 is that Carl Edwards will announce his comeback for the 2018 season, however, it will not be with Joe Gibbs Racing.

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