NASCAR: 5 drivers who have underperformed so far in 2020
By Konner Metz
The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season has featured some notable drivers punching above their weight, such as Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick and John Hunter Nemechek. However, five other drivers have failed to deliver through the first nine races.
To no one’s surprise, veterans Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski have all raced to two wins throughout the first nine races of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Meanwhile, two young Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman, join Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick as the other three 2020 winners. These three drivers are the top three drivers in total laps led. The impressive results from these winners have been no surprise.
Other drivers have met expectations as well, despite not winning yet. Rookies Tyler Reddick and John Hunter Nemechek sit in the top 20 in the championship standings and have shown unexpected race pace.
Jimmie Johnson, while struggling to accrue points, has shown pace far exceeding his pace from last yaer. He has already had four races in which his Driver Rating was above 100, which matches his total from all of last year, according to Racing Reference.
However, the unexpectedly good performances from some drivers means others have been performing below expectations. Let’s take a look at five drivers who have not quite met expectations thus far in 2020.