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NASCAR: Way-too-early 2018 Driver Power Rankings

By Asher Fair

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Caramel Toyota, race during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Caramel Toyota, race during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: William Byron, driver of the #9 AXALTA/Vorteq Chevrolet, leads Erik Jones, driver of the #20 GameStop/Turtle Beach Toyota (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: William Byron, driver of the #9 AXALTA/Vorteq Chevrolet, leads Erik Jones, driver of the #20 GameStop/Turtle Beach Toyota (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

HM. Alex Bowman will finally get his chance to shine as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for a top-tier team when he takes over the driving duties of the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet from 14-time and soon-to-be 15-time Most Popular Driver Award winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bowman was solid in his 10 races as Earnhardt Jr.’s substitute in the 2016 season, so there is no reason to believe he won’t be even better in 2018.. No. 88. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. ALEX BOWMAN

No. 24. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. WILLIAM BYRON. HM. After winning the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in his first career season, William Byron definitely looks ready to take the next step to the Cup Series. While it may take some time for the driver who credits iRacing for his rise to the professional level to develop into a true championship contender, don’t rule out the possibility of him shooting up the ranks in the near future.

HM. After one season driving for Furniture Row Racing, Erik Jones is moving on to replace Matt Kenseth at Joe Gibbs Racing, which will be no easy task. However, given the potential he showed in his rookie NASCAR Cup Series season even without a victory, Jones is definitely up for it, and it may not be long until he starts running up front on a weekly basis.. No. 20. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. ERIK JONES

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