The texture-good tales and underdogs are gone — eradicated via the primary two rounds. Even Alex Bowman, who went from being the fourth driver at HMS to one of many strongest playoff drivers, has now been eradicated after an unlucky DQ. Half of the eight remaining title contenders are former Cup champions. In truth, each champ from the final 4 seasons remains to be within the combat, and all 4 Championship 4 drivers from final yr stay as nicely. There are not any weak hyperlinks, which ought to make for an exhilarating and dramatic Spherical of 8 as 4 of them will see their title hopes shatter into items whereas the opposite 4 transfer on to Phoenix.
Sitting atop the standings is Kyle Larson, the clear championship favourite. He has extra wins, extra top-fives, and extra laps led than anybody else this season. There’s actually no more to say about him past the truth that he’s ‘the man’ till one of many different show in any other case, however there’s loads that would.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
For instance, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. NASCAR’s Most Fashionable Driver and the 2020 collection champion solely has one win this yr, however he leads the complete pack in greatest common end (11.7). He has been nothing if not constant, ever-present within the front-half of the sector and prone to make some noise within the races forward. After a dismal 2023 the place a damaged leg derailed his total yr, he has rigorously made his method via the mayhem and unpredictability of this yr’s championship with out ever actually feeling the strain of being eradicated. He even entered the Spherical of 12 cut-off race on the bubble, however he was by no means actually a part of that tense storyline as he shortly scored a mountain of stage factors.
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Kelley Blue Ebook Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
The one two-time Cup champion within the Spherical of 8 is a little bit of shock, contemplating the truth that he was out on the checkered flag final weekend. Bowman’s disqualification practically three hours later paved the best way for his playoff re-entry. Joey Logano, who gained the title in 2018 and 2022, is considered one of simply two drivers to win a number of titles below this unstable playoff format. Staff Penske can also be in search of its third straight Cup title within the Subsequent Gen period, however regardless of Logano’s resume, he has really underperformed in comparison with latest seasons. Regardless of this, he has proven the flexibility to step it up when the second calls for it, and that is nothing new for Logano. Doubtless probably the most aggressive driver nonetheless within the title combat, he has gained in any respect 4 tracks that finish the 2024 season.
Joey Logano, Staff Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Then there’s his Penske teammate and reigning champion Ryan Blaney. Regardless of scoring only one level at Watkins Glen within the Spherical of 16 and crashing out closely at Talladega to complete a season-worst of thirty ninth, he stays in competition. Like Logano, he is aware of how one can step it up when the strain is on. In each different playoff race, he is scored wherever between 33 and 53 factors per race. No driver has ever gained back-to-back championships on this knockout format, however the the feisty driver of the No. 12 simply would possibly.
Ryan Blaney, Staff Penske, Low cost Tire Ford Mustang
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
So, half of the remaining title combatants have already gained championships, together with the final 4 from 2020 – 2023. They’re right here for a purpose, however the challengers who’ve but to hoist the Invoice France Cup are simply as aggressive.
For instance, there’s Denny Hamlin, regardless of a considerably rocky playoff run thus far. He is additionally acquired quite a bit occurring proper now with a contentious lawsuit in opposition to NASCAR involving the group he co-owns, however as a driver, he’s probably the most profitable to ever race that has but to win a Cup title. Three Daytona 500 victories, 54 Cup wins, and 5 consecutive seasons ending fifth or larger within the last standings. He has by no means missed the playoffs since this format was launched in 2014, and he’s maybe the hungriest driver right here. We have seen him wall his good buddy Larson for wins, we have seen him get into bodily altercations with Logano (greater than as soon as), and he thrives off of followers’ bathe of boos each time he wins. That is the precise kind of driver you need going into this spherical, which is extra a battlefield than a inventory automotive race. He’ll do no matter it takes to smash via that cup ceiling and turn into a champion.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx One Charge Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
And what in regards to the third Hendrick driver to advance? William Byron began the yr by successful three of the primary eight races, together with the Daytona 500. Nonetheless, we have not seen him in Victory Lane since April. However the driver of the No. 24 seems to be discovering his footing simply in time for the ultimate stretch. He scored three straight podium finishes within the Spherical of 12, scoring so many factors that he did not even have to win with a purpose to lock himself into this spherical early. It will be silly to depend him out.
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Tyler Reddick is maybe probably the most fascinating driver on this checklist. 23XI Racing has by no means made it past the Spherical of 8, and neither has Reddick. After all, there’s additionally that lawsuit hanging over them. Reddick drove like a champion at Roval, utilizing recent tires to chop via the sector in closing laps, erasing the double-digit factors deficit and narrowly escaping elimination. Some could be fast to ignore him however we must always do not forget that this driver gained the common season championship. He has closely relied on these bonus factors via what has been a tough playoffs, however this can be a driver who simply confirmed the world that he can extract all the pieces after which some out of the automotive when his again is in opposition to the wall. After that late cost on the Roval, he is already confirmed to be championship materials.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Monster Vitality Toyota Camry Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports, Mattress Warehouse Chevrolet Camaro Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro Joey Logano, Staff Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
In order that’s it for thi — wait, aren’t we lacking somebody? Oh proper … Christopher Bell! As he himself will inform you, everybody all the time overlooks the driving force of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. And there’s actually no good purpose for it. He’s quiet and makes little noise on the observe, however he’s all the time a contender. Bell is the one driver to have made the Championship 4 in each years of the Subsequent Gen period. He has additionally completed seventh or larger in seven of the final eight races — the one consequence worse than that was 14th. He’s constant, ever-present and a really authentic title risk. Earlier than the playoffs, this author picked him to win all of it for all the explanations we simply lined. He’s NASCAR’s ‘silent murderer.’ Individuals all the time surprise the place Bell got here from when the large prize is in sight, however he is all the time been proper there, however no one — together with his rivals — appear to comprehend that till it is too late.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, DEWALT Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
