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NASCAR Cup Series: 2018 preseason driver power rankings

By Asher Fair

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 15: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Erik Jones, driver of the #77 Sport Clips Toyota (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 05: Erik Jones, driver of the #77 Sport Clips Toyota (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /

Honorable mentions

The 2018 season will be Alex Bowman’s third season as a full-time driver. However, he hasn’t driven full-time since the 2015 season, and he hasn’t driven at all since the 2016 season when he was a substitute for the driver he is replacing in the #88 Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. With 2018 slated to be Bowman’s first full season driving for a top-tier team, expect him to have some success, especially after he did well in his role as a substitute in the #88 Chevrolet in 2016. The new Chevrolet Camaro should also help boost Bowman’s results.. No. 88. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. ALEX BOWMAN. HM

William Byron is the other new driver for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2018 season, and he is a rookie. The new Chevrolet Camaro should definitely help him secure more great results, maybe even a few victories. As the 2017 Xfinity Series champion, people won’t be sleeping on Byron, so there are definitely high expectations for him in his rookie season. He should have a solid rookie season during which he meets if not exceeds those expectations.. No. 24. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. WILLIAM BYRON. HM

Erik Jones had a successful rookie season driving for Furniture Row Racing during which he secured several solid results despite not making the playoffs or securing a victory. With him now set to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing, arguably the sport’s top team, expect him to improve and get to Victory Lane at least once in the 2018 season. It may be a stretch to predict him being a regular front-runner during races, but don’t be surprised if that’s what he ends up being.. No. 20. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. ERIK JONES. HM

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