Who would've thought that during the pandemic stoppage NASCAR would get this season done with only a few minor hiccups, but after the rollercoaster season it all comes down to Phoenix.
Cup Series
Everyone thought Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick would walk into the final 4, not be the ones scrapping for the last transfer spot. However, that is what we need to expect from the playoffs, NASCAR no longer promotes dominance. The big three came up emptied handed in 2018, Harvick and Hamlin's historical dominance this season may well go uncelebrated as well. So who are the candidates for this season's championship?
Denny Hamlin
My pick for the championship is still alive, barely. Scraping into the championship race after 'holding off' Erik Jones in the final stages at Martinsville. Hamlin has been poor in the playoffs, with only 3 Top 10s. Bad luck and silly mistakes have plagued his playoffs. Punted by Jimmie Johnson coming to the pits at Darlington, a speeding penalty after winning the stage at Richmond, crashed into by Truex Jr at Bristol, got caught out by a late caution at Las Vegas, brushing the wall during a top 5 run at Kansas and had no where to go when Matt Kenseth got loose at Texas. Despite this he has came out on top of the points standings for the last two rounds, his 54 playoff points helping him accomplish this. One crumb of hope Hamlin fans can hang on to is, because of everyone thinking he'd cruise to this round, Joe Gibbs may have been working on a Phoenix car for weeks now.
Joey Logano
The 2018 Champion was the first to punch his ticket to championship weekend after a controversial win at Kansas. Logano was on fire winning two of the four races before the pandemic, including the March Phoenix race. After the pandemic hit he struggled and didn't find victory lane again until said Kansas race.
Brad Keselowski
The 2012 Champion has to be the favourite coming into this race. The 2 team have built a rocket ship short track car, that he won with at New Hampshire and Richmond, and has 3 wins with the package, visiting victory lane at Bristol as well.
Chase Elliott
The fan favourite has momentum on his side, having a sensational playoffs, and winning in a walk-off race at Martinsville. The 9 team will have the Georgia curse looming over their head this weekend. Can the Dawsonville native be the one to finally break the choking curse?
Stacking up the Stats
Which of the Championship 4 drivers have been the best at each stat this season.
Wins - Denny Hamlin - 7
Top 5s - Denny Hamlin - 17
Top 10s - Brad Keselowski - 23
Avg Finish - Denny Hamlin - 9.5
Laps Led - Chase Elliott - 1094
750HP Wins - Brad Keselowski/Chase Elliott - 3
Which of the 4 drivers are the best at Phoenix?
Starts - Denny Hamlin - 30
Wins - Denny Hamlin/Joey Logano - 2
Top 5s - Denny Hamlin - 13
Top 10s - Denny Hamlin - 17
Avg Finish - Denny Hamlin - 11.3
Laps Led - Denny Hamlin - 821
Focusing on just the last 5 races, the Denny dominance continues, his average finish is in a different league.
Hamlin - 8.6
Keselowski - 11.4
Logano - 15.2
Elliott - 17.2
All the stats point towards Denny Hamlin finally breaking through and capturing his first NASCAR Cup Series title. However, that car the 2 team has is a rocket ship.
Trucks series champion Sheldon Creed, and Xfinity champion Austin Cindric both started from the third position, which is a good omen for Brad Keselowski's #Goingfor2 quest. Even better for Jeremy Bullins and the rest of the 2 team is they will be promoted to the front row after Chase Elliott will be sent to the back for failing inspection.
Denny Hamlin was my original pick before the playoffs started, but coming into the race Brad Keselowski looks to be the favourite, what a time it would be for him to win his first Phoenix race.
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