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NASCAR Cup Series: 2018 preseason playoff predictions

By Asher Fair

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, lead the field past the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, lead the field past the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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MARTINSVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 29: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford, leads Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
MARTINSVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 29: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford, leads Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Round of 12 predictions

#2. . No. 2. Team Penske, Ford. BRAD KESELOWSKI

I am still not quite sure how Brad Keselowski ended up in the Championship 4 in the 2017 season. Aside of his two early victories, he really didn’t have that great of a season. He advanced to the round of 8 thanks to a win at Talladega in the round of 12, and he advanced to the Championship 4 thanks to other drivers’ misfortunes, namely those of Denny Hamlin in the round of 8 finale. Don’t expect him to have the same fortune for two straight seasons.

#20. . No. 20. Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota. ERIK JONES

Erik Jones came close to winning his first career Cup Series race several times in the 2017 season, his rookie season in the sport. Expect him to win at least one race in his first season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, and expect him to have a solid first playoff run during which he advances at least to the round of 12. Given his success last season, it is not too far-fetched to believe he will make it this far, or perhaps even farther.

#22. . No. 22. Team Penske, Ford. JOEY LOGANO

Joey Logano was left out of the 2017 playoffs after finishing in 2nd place in the 2016 championship standings as a result of the fact that his lone win of the season at Richmond was encumbered. Expect him to have a solid bounce-back season in 2018 during which he makes it to at least the round of 12. However, given the ride of a number of other drivers in the last year or so, it may be tough for him to advance any farther.

WILLIAM BYRON. #24. . No. 24. Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

William Byron is expected to be the top rookie in the Cup Series in the 2018 season, and for many good reasons. His success in the Xfinity Series in 2017 coupled with the new Chevrolet Camaro coming out this year make a playoff run likely. After a 2017 season during which the playoffs did not feature a single rookie, expect Byron to be the first rookie since Chase Elliott in the 2016 season to make the round of 12.

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