NASCAR Cup Series: 2018 round-by-round playoff predictions
Round of 8
Here comes the most exciting round of them all! In the round of 8, we get to find out who will race for the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway! At this point of the season, the favorites usually separate themselves from the guys who have played the game well, but not well enough.
In this round, I predict that Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott will pack up their playoff bags and head home.
I’ll kick things off with Larson. “Young Money” is the one driver who the ‘big three’ better pray doesn’t make the big show in mid-November. There is no doubt that Larson at Homestead is a magical combination. The only issue is that I don’t think he will make it to Homestead with a shot to win the title.
Larson has the speed it takes to win, but I don’t think he will get the job done when he needs to the most. He is notorious for losing races that he should win and becoming a bridesmaid. I always picture a late restart with everything on the line. Do I think Larson can have a big clutch moment to make the Championship 4? No.
Next, Joey Logano. Logano was my championship pick last season, and boy did he let me down. I do think Logano’s championship window is closing, and this year will once again be a wasted season.
Logano has all the potential in the world, but he’s not even the best driver on his team. I just don’t feel the magic with him this year, but you never know. He could get some good karma from the Matt Kenseth debacle a few years ago.
Third, Denny Hamlin. Hamlin is much like Logano. Both are veterans, both have championship talent, but both have fallen short of accomplishing the overall goal of becoming a champion.
Hamlin has the experience, but that experience won’t be enough to beat the favorites this season. His fans have hope considering the fact that 15 of his 31 career wins have come at playoff tracks, but I can’t get the 2010 choke out of my mind. He will once again fall short in 2018.
Lastly, Chase Elliott. Chase Elliott is a dark horse if there was one, but don’t hedge your bets on him. Much like Kurt Busch has, Elliott has peaked a little bit earlier than I would have liked to see.
I think Elliott can make it deep into the playoffs, but he also has the “choke” factor at times. I believe his win at Watkins Glen International will help him get past this hurdle, but not quick enough to earn him a championship. Don’t worry, race fans. I personally enjoy cheering for the him, but you have to be realistic.
Much like the case for Ryan Blaney and Erik Jones, we are just a couple of years away from naming Elliott a favorite to win it all. But just remember that patience is a virtue.