NASCAR Cup Series: Early 2020 power rankings
By Asher Fair
#36 through #33
TIMMY HILL. #36. . No. 66. MBM Motorsports, TBD
Timmy Hill has only been confirmed by MBM Motorsports for the Daytona 500 behind the wheel of the #66 Ford, but their aim is to make the #66 entry a full-time entry. If this car, which could end up with multiple manufacturers throughout the season, ends up being a full-time entry, Hill could be the full-time driver of it. This could depend upon whether or not he qualifies for the Daytona 500, as the #66 car does not have a charter.
. No. 52. Rick Ware Racing, TBD. J.J. YELEY. #35
Rick Ware Racing are basically the largest of the backmarker teams, and unfortunately also arguably the slowest. J.J. Yeley will be fortunate to find himself running in the top 25 when the checkered flag flies at any point in the 2020 season.
#34. . No. 51. Rick Ware Racing, TBD. JOEY GASE
See J.J. Yeley’s description and add that fact that Joey Gase has never previously competed full-time in the Cup Series. The 2020 season will be a great learning experience for him with just 41 starts over six years entering the year.
#33. . No. 15. Premium Motorsports, Chevrolet. BRENNAN POOLE
Premium Motorsports are one of the slowest teams in the Cup Series. Ross Chastain wheeled the #15 Chevrolet to two top 12 finishes, both in superspeedway races, in 2019, but other than that, he finished no higher than 22nd place. Rookie Brennan Poole should be in line for more of the same, although the fact that he has never previously competed in the Cup Series may make it more reasonable just to expect an occasional top 25 finish.