NASCAR: Post-Season Driver Grades

In her fifth career full-time NASCAR Cup Series season, Danica Patrick was arguably at her worst despite the fact that she drove for a top-tier team. Her lone top 10 finish of the season was just a 10th place finish at Dover, and she finished a career-low 25 races. Her 28th place finish in the final standings tied her career-worst, and it would have been her worst had Aric Almirola not gotten injured and missed seven races, as he finished just 9 points behind her in 29th.. No. 10. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. DANICA PATRICK. F

C+. Kurt Busch had a solid 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season, but despite the fact that he racked up six top 5 and 15 top 10 finishes, he would not have qualified for the playoffs had it not been for his Daytona 500 win since he was rather inconsistent throughout the year. He was eliminated from championship contention in the Round of 16.. No. 41. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. KURT BUSCH

Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. CLINT BOWYER. B-. Clint Bowyer was the first driver below the NASCAR Cup Series playoff cut line after he did not win a single race in the 2017 regular season. However, while he hasn’t won a race since the 2012 season, he still had a solid season from a points perspective, as he racked up five podium finishes, including three season-best 2nd place finishes, en route to an 18th place finish in the final standings, the 2nd highest result among non-playoff drivers.. No. 14

KEVIN HARVICK. A. Even with just two wins in the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season, of which one came in the Round of 8, Kevin Harvick managed to qualify for the Championship 4 and finish in 3rd place in the final standings because of just how consistent he was throughout the year. He racked up eight podium finishes, 14 top 5 finishes and 23 top 10 finishes this past season.. No. 4. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford