NASCAR Cup Series: 5 drivers who will regress in 2021

After an offseason filled with driver changes and new teams entering the NASCAR Cup Series, there are sure to be drivers who see vast improvements and others who plummet in performance. However, for those drivers not undergoing a change of scenery, what will the 2021 season bring?

Of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series playoff teams in 2020, only the #14 Stewart-Haas Racing team will undergo a driver change, as Chase Briscoe has replaced the retired, broadcast booth-bound Clint Bowyer.

For the most part, the remaining 15 playoff drivers from last season will return with the same crew chiefs and teams.

Ben Beshore has joined the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing team to replace Adam Stevens as Kyle Busch’s crew chief. Meanwhile, Rudy Fugle has joined Hendrick Motorsports to call races for William Byron, with Chad Knaus having moved to a competition role within the organization.

Aside from Busch and Byron being paired with new crew chiefs, the only other notable change is Alex Bowman switching over from the #88 Hendrick Motorsports team to the #48 team in place of the retired Jimmie Johnson.

Despite continuity at the front of the Cup Series pack, there will inevitably be drivers who improve and drivers who regress this season. Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch both had down seasons in 2020 and are likely candidates to bounce back.

Sophomores Cole Custer, Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell could all contend for playoff spots this season, after the three of them finished in 16th, 19th and 20th place in the 2020 championship standings, respectively.

With a new-look schedule and a lack of practice, some of the sport’s stalwart teams and drivers may be thrown for a loop. Let’s take a look at five drivers — among those returning to their 2020 teams — who will experience regression in performance this season.