NASCAR Cup Series: Ranking the 8 round of 8 drivers

6th and 5th

6. Aric Almirola

Aric Almirola has proven me wrong in the playoffs. Not only did he make it out of the round of 16, but he earned his second career win in the race at Talladega Superspeedway, securing himself a spot in the round of 8.

With a win in the bank and continues consistency, many fans think that Double A is poised for a Championship 4 trip to Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I’m here to tell you otherwise.

Don’t let one win fool you. I know that Almirola is fast and I know that he has an average finish of 9.0 so far in the playoffs, but I also know that he isn’t ready for a championship run. It’s not that he can’t get the job done, but considering his competition, he may be the least “lethal” weapon in the gun store.

Almirola has the least amount of playoff experience and the fewest career wins of the right round of 8 drivers. It’s been a great first year for him at Stewart-Haas Racing, but I’m confident that it will end in three weeks when the checkered flag flies at ISM Raceway.

5. Joey Logano

Joey Logano may be the definition of a quiet assassin. Over the first six playoff races, he has an average finish of 7.33 and has firmly placed himself in the championship conversation.

I’ve stated for years that Logano’s window for a championship is closing, but his performance in this year’s playoffs could be one of his best playoff performances yet. He has proven that he can reach the Championship 4 in the past, but he will have to regain winning form if he hopes to be crowned king for the first time in his career.

Logano is growing on me as a talent, and he ironically reminds me a lot of Matt Kenseth. He’s quiet, he’s talented and he kills you with consistency. His lack of winning is what puts him fifth on this list, but don’t be shocked to see him in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.