NASCAR: Post-Season Driver Grades

D. Trevor Bayne finished six races in the top 10 in the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season. His season-high 3rd place finish at Talladega was one of his two top 5 finishes throughout the year, the other one coming at Michigan in the form of a 5th place result. He is still searching for his first victory since winning the 2011 Daytona 500, the only race he has won to date.. No. 6. Roush Fenway Racing, Ford. TREVOR BAYNE

C. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won his first two career NASCAR Cup Series races this season at Talladega and Daytona, respectively. However, he would not have been anywhere near qualifying for the playoffs had it not been for his wins, as he wasn’t that great in non-restrictor plate races. In fact, he recorded just seven top 10 finishes in non-restrictor plate races this season.. No. 17. Roush Fenway Racing, Ford. RICKY STENHOUSE JR.

B. Joey Logano thought he was headed to the playoffs after winning early in the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season at Richmond, but that win was encumbered and he ended up not getting in. However, he finished in 17th place in the final standings as the highest non-playoff driver having finished in the top 5 in 10 races and the top 10 in 17 races throughout the season.. No. 22. Team Penske, Ford. JOEY LOGANO

BRAD KESELOWSKI. A-. After a hot start to the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season, which included two wins in the first six races, Brad Keselowski cooled down and became somewhat inconsistent throughout the rest of the year. However, his win at Talladega in the Round of 12 sparked a Championship 4 run. While he didn’t win the championship, his 4th place finish in the final standings made this season a pretty solid one for him.. No. 2. Team Penske, Ford