Here we go. The 2018 Nascar season is less than a week away. And let me tell you, I’m pretty excited! Daytona 500 is possibly my favorite day of the year. And of course, that means it’s time for a preview of the season! So without further delay, let’s get this party started!

Lessons Learned from 2017: All right then, let’s start off with something basic. Like lessons learned from the past season.

1: Martin Truex Jr. is king of the world. No question, whether you like it or not, Truex deserved the 2017 championship. And to be totally honest, he’s not going away. Truex is a master of this new car, new system, and stage racing. It’ll take a lot to dethrone him.

2: Toyota. Every king needs his steed. And Truex has quite the Stallion under him. Toyota has hit something in its new design, and clearly has a leg up on the field. While there are some debates about the legality of the car (thank you Brad Keslowski), Nascar hasn’t banned it, so they will continue to bring the heat. But, Chevrolet has done a redesign in hopes of catching up to Toyota.

3: Chase Elliot is coming. There is no denying that if Truex had any threat in the playoffs, it was Elliot. Were it not for Denny Hamlin’s reckless driving at Martinsville, Elliot may well have been a champion. As he is only in his third season, he and his Chevy may well be the ones who dethrone Truex and Toyota.

4: The new playoffs are awesome. The new system was thrilling and a source of excitement throughout the 2017 season. And it’s back for more in 2018. And I couldn’t be happier.

YOUNG GUNS! Holy smoke I didn’t see this one coming. Three years ago Chase Elliot and Ryan Blaney were two young drivers trying to break into a world ruled by Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Matt Kenseth. Now, Elliot and Blaney have become major players, while every driver listed above has retired. And they are joined in the young ranks by Eric Jones, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace, and countless others. all of whom have become major threats to the veterans. So watch out old boys, the young guns are coming.

 

The 2018 Championship Four Will Be:

1: Chase Elliot. Haha, yes I am an Elliot fan. However, hear me out. Elliot is good. Really good. Last year he was so good he was one smarter decision by Denny Hamlin away from a championship four spot. And with the newly designed Chevrolet Camaro, he will only be on more level footing with his Toyota rivals. I believe he can win this, and he does too.

2: Jimmie Johnson. Oh yeah, forget about him? Well, shame on you. To be honest, I don’t know that he’ll ever be gone. Last year was a struggle, but it’s hard to win when your competition has a leg up on you, even when your name is Jimmie Johnson. But, if Johnson’s good at anything, it’s bouncing back. While 2018 may be the aging star’s last shot at the never-before-claimed eighth title, it will also be the chance to see who’s better, Johnson or him and his mentor’s protégé: Chase Elliot.

3: Martin Truex Jr. Yeah duh. Truex isn’t going anywhere. The man is lights out right now, and I think some crazy stuff has to happen for that to change. Then again, four years ago it looked like Truex’s career was over, so what do I know? (A lot actually, but you get the point)

4: Uh… snap. I didn’t really think this one through. Fun thing is, there’s always an unexpected guy sneaking into the final four (Ryan Newman in 2014 and Kyle Busch in 2015 comes to mind), so who will it be? Well, I’m looking at another young gun actually. Well, two actually. Eric Jones and Daniel Suarez are both on a strong team in Joe Gibbs Racing. And both are amazing drivers. This one seems a bit out on a limb, but it just kinda feels like a gut feeling. The spot may be claimed by the two’s older teammate Kyle Busch, but who knows? (This is why I love Nascar. So unpredictable!)

 

First Time Winners:

Chase Elliot: Yeah, if he’s winning a championship he’ll be claiming a few wins along the way. By a few, I’m guessing at least three. Maybe more.

Eric Jones: Uh, how did this guy not win last year? Anyone who watched Bristol knows the man was very impressive. Actually better than Kyle Busch.

William Byron: To years ago, no one knew who the heck William Byron was. Now, he’s possibly the best driver in the young class (with the possible exception of Elliot). He may just be a rookie, but that didn’t stop him in the Xfinity and Truck Series,’ where he claimed a combined ten wins in two seasons. Feels like that trend ought to keep going in the Cup Series.

Daniel Suarez: The quiet contender last year, Suarez is a capable and skilled driver. With a year under his belt and a strong Toyota, I think Suarez will find victory lane for the first time.

Alex Bowman: A couple years ago I’d have said Alex Bowman was sadly one of those young drivers doomed to spend his career on lower tier teams, never a threat for wins. A Dale Jr. concussion and a Phoenix race later, Bowman is in a pretty fast car with a shot at a win. He’s done it in the Xfinity series, so he can do it here,

 

Returning to Victory Lane Will Be:

Aric Almirola. He only has one win, but it boosted him into the playoffs and he made a run for a championship. Now, he may have a better chance with a better team in Stewart-Hass Racing. While it may be a wild card race, he still returns.

Clint Bowyer: Another SHR driver. Bowyer nearly got there more than once in 2017, but failed to crack victory lane. I wouldn’t be to surprised if that changed in 2018.

Jamie McMurray. Vastly overshadowed by his three win teammate Kyle Larson, McMurray pieced together a pretty solid season. While he wasn’t flashy, he certainly was a threat. And that may just get better.

Joey Logano: Ok, I really don’t like him. But, somehow he just keeps winning. Last year he had one, but it didn’t count as it was encumbered due to an illegal modification. Honestly, that probably won’t be a losing streak that lasts.

 

Big Race Winners:

Daytona 500: Chase Elliot. Uh, watch last year. He was easily the class of the field. This will be a big win for him, not just as it will be his first, but the history he has in Daytona will make it that emotional.

Coca-Cola 600: Jimmie Johnson. Johnson is a master at Charlotte. And I respect just how great he is in this race in particular. So I wouldn’t be remotely shocked to see him pull off this one.

Coke 400: Ryan Blaney. Blaney has prowess on restrictor plate tracks that honestly reminds me of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sure, his teammate Brad Keslowski also has that, but I think this is where Blaney steps out of Brad’s shadow and claims a big win. The 400 may not be a crown jewel, but it’s still pretty solid for a young driver like Blaney.

Southern 500: Brad Keslowski. Brad K has been pretty good at Darlington over the past couple years. Somehow he hasn’t won yet. Well, that just may change. Brad’s surprisingly never won a crown jewel race, but I don’t see that continuing.

Brickyard 400; Kyle Busch. Busch only lost the Brickyard this past year because Truex and him tangled for the lead. Don’t see that happening again.

Charlotte Road Course: Ok, technically this isn’t even close to a crown jewel. But it is a completely new course, and it is very much an exciting new challenge for drivers. Besides, there hasn’t been a new course (technically this is still Charlotte Motor Speedway) since 2011 in the Cup Series. How many people have the chance to claim the first trophy on a new course!?

Homestead-Miami: Kyle Larson. Larson is flat out amazing in Miami. Yet somehow he hasn’t won here yet. Well, why not change that this year? He may not claim a championship this year, but he will finally when at this darn track.

 

The other 12 Playoff Drivers (As describe with a fun one liner):

5: Kyle Busch: Let’s get Rowdy again.

6: William Byron: What’s a rookie?

7: Ryan Blaney: Yeah, I’m better than my dad.

8: Brad Keslowski: Still get that free beer. Now I get Dale Jr.’s fans too! (Pleading)

9: Kyle Larson: Pleas not (Mich)again.

9 1/2: Kevin Harvick: One minute I’m the young new guy, The next Tony retires and I’m the old guy at SHR.

10: Daniel Suarez: I’ll make Subway regret ditching me because I ate at Dunkin Doughnuts!

11: Eric Jones: Guess that mullet held me back. I ditched it just in case.

12: Denny Hamlin: I keep getting messed up with ‘Chase.’

13: Jamie McMurray: I’m the big Mc in town! At least when I stand next to Larson.

14: Joey Logano: 2017 was a nightmare. (He actually said that)

15: Alex Bowman: Wait… Brad got Dale’s fans? I thought I was his protégé. (Brad was first, see 2009)

16: Clint Bowyer/Aric Almirola: Can’t decide between us? (Yeah, we actually have pretty similar paths. Both have two kids, both married blondes, and both are trying to resurrect their careers at SHR)

Honorable Mentions:

Ricky Stenhouse Jr: I lost Danica. My confidence too.

Trevor Bayne: Really wish people would leave alone the fact that my worst curse is: holy bananas! (Or whatever it was he said. The guy never swears)

Austin Dillon: I’m still better than my little brother.

Ty Dillon: Say what now?

Ryan Newman: Shut up little boys. The old guy is in the room.

Dale Earnhardt Jr: Oh… right. (Cue the end of the world… and the first time in over a decade we have a new most popular driver)

Kasey Kahne: If I’m brutally honest with myself, I’m gone. (Seriously, I only put him here because… I don’t know why?)

Kurt Busch: Wait! I missed it?

AJ Allmendinger: Letter to Nascar: help me with more road courses. Their my only hope.

Bubba Wallace: I will now impersonate… anyone think of someone me and Blaney didn’t already?

Paul Menard: …. (blank stare) ….

 

 

Well, how’s that for a preview? I rather enjoyed it, the one liners in particular. This season looks pretty interesting. Not exactly sure what to expect, I mean, look at last year. But, I’m already counting down the minutes too the Daytona 500!

So, without further delay (other than the five days between now and the Clash at Daytona) let’s go racing!