NASCAR Cup Series: Way-too-early 2018 playoff predictions
By Asher Fair
Round of 16 predictions
#9. . No. 9. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. CHASE ELLIOTT
Barring an unforeseen awful season, Chase Elliott will be back in the playoffs for the third time in three seasons given his potential and skill level.
Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. WILLIAM BYRON. #24. . No. 24
William Byron is the early front-runner for 2018 Rookie of the Year honors, and with Hendrick Motorsports, he will likely end up in the playoffs.
#48. . No. 48. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. JIMMIE JOHNSON
Even if Jimmie Johnson’s career is on the decline, there is no way that the seven-time champion will fail to qualify for the playoffs.
Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. ALEX BOWMAN. #88. . No. 88
Alex Bowman’s first full-time ride with a top-tier team is with Hendrick Motorsports as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s replacement, and he excelled as Earnhardt Jr.’s substitute in the 2016 season.
#11. . No. 11. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. DENNY HAMLIN
A regular championship contender, Denny Hamlin is pretty much a lock to get into the playoffs and make a run at his first career title yet again in 2018.
KYLE BUSCH. #18. . No. 18. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
Over the last three years, there has not been a driver better than Kyle Busch. That trend will likely continue in 2018, so expect him back in the playoffs.
. No. 20. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. ERIK JONES. #20
Erik Jones was on the verge of breaking through several times in his rookie season. Now with Joe Gibbs Racing, he will have an even better chance to do so, so expect him in the playoffs as well.
#4. . No. 4. Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford. KEVIN HARVICK
While his win numbers may be down, Kevin Harvick’s consistency is still there, and that will be enough to get him into the playoffs yet again in 2018.
No. 2. Team Penske, Ford. BRAD KESELOWSKI. #2.
Brad Keselowski didn’t have a consistent season after his hot start in 2017, but he still managed to make it to the Championship 4. There is no reason to expect him to miss the playoffs in 2018.
. No. 12. Team Penske, Ford. RYAN BLANEY. #12
Ryan Blaney showed flashes of his potential in the 2017 season and managed to make the Round of 8, so he will be back in the playoffs again in 2018 in his first season driving for Team Penske.
#22. . No. 22. Team Penske, Ford. JOEY LOGANO
Joey Logano is poised to bounce back after he missed the playoffs in 2017 following a hot start to the season. At the very least, that bounce-back will include him qualifying for the playoffs.
#1. . No. 1. Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet. JAMIE MCMURRAY
While he hasn’t won a race since the 2013 season, Jamie McMurray has made it into the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Even if he doesn’t win in 2018, he should be back in the playoffs.
#42. . No. 42. Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet. KYLE LARSON
Kyle Larson was one of the championship favorites for much of the 2017 season until he had engine issues prevent him from qualifying for the Round of 8. He’ll be back in the playoffs in 2018.
#6. . No. 6. Roush Fenway Racing, Ford. TREVOR BAYNE
Trevor Bayne is still searching for his second career win and first since the 2011 Daytona 500. With his skill on restrictor plate tracks, expect him to get that win in 2018 and make the playoffs.
#17. . No. 17. Roush Fenway Racing, Ford. RICKY STENHOUSE JR.
Like his teammate Trevor Bayne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is also a great restrictor plate track driver. He has two recent wins to back it up, so expect him to keep rolling in 2018 and get to the playoffs.
#78. . No. 78. Furniture Row Racing, Toyota. MARTIN TRUEX JR.
Even if Martin Truex Jr. takes a step back in 2018 from his eight-win championship season in 2017, don’t expect him to be left out of the playoffs.