NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Predictions

The NASCAR Cup Series has reached the halfway point in its season, which means that the playoffs are rapidly approaching. Thus far, we have seen incredible parity throughout the field, with each race being unpredictable and unique in its outcome. You could make an argument for many different drivers being Championship 4 contenders, but in my opinion, there are a few of them that have set themselves apart from the rest as favorites to arrive at Phoenix with a shot to win it all. Here is my current, mid-season prediction of who will make up the 2023 Championship 4:

1. William Byron

Right now, William Byron looks like the title favorite in the NASCAR Cup Series. The young driver from Charlotte, North Carolina has amassed three wins on the season thus far, tying him for the most among all drivers. Not only that, but his seven top fives are the most in the series, as are his whopping 717 laps led. The only one who even comes close to that figure is his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, but even he is over 100 laps led behind Byron. This year has been a true breakout for the driver of the 24-car, and he has to be seen as the safest pick to make it to Phoenix at the moment.

2. Martin Truex Jr.

While Byron at 25 years old is part of NASCAR’s youth movement, Martin Truex Jr. is one of the series’s veterans. He has accomplished almost everything possible in the top division of the sport, with 33 Cup wins and a championship already under his belt. This year, Truex is showing no signs of slowing down, as he already has two wins, five top fives, and eight top tens. Those finishes along with his overall consistency currently have him the top of the regular season points standings, which would award him with a staggering 15 playoff points should he hold on to that position. Considering his winning pedigree and championship experience, Truex has his eyes set on this year’s Championship 4 without a doubt.

3. Kyle Larson

While this season has been far from Kyle Larson’s best, the 30-year-old from Elk Grove, California definitely has reason to be proud. He currently sits at two wins on the year, along with a non-points-paying victory in the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. Six top fives and seven top tens should be spelling for success for Larson, but his five DNFs have him a lowly tenth in the points standings. It has been a checkers or wreckers season for Larson, but he has always shown race-winning speed whenever he isn’t crashing out. Oftentimes, these accidents aren’t even his fault and are more so the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once Larson and the 5 team figure out how to string together consistent results, they are going to be dangerous, and will likely make a push for the title at Phoenix.

4. Kyle Busch

While two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch should be anything but a surprise pick to make the Championship 4, his last few seasons have left something to be desired. He has failed to make it to the championship race since he won his second title in 2019, despite being a regular contender in the years prior. His last three seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing only yielded four wins, which by Busch’s high standards is poultry. Now in his first campaign with Richard Childress Racing, the new driver of the 8-car has pulled in three race victories, which ties him for the most in the series along with Byron. While he has been up and down throughout the first 16 events, Busch has continued to show the garage that he is far from past his prime. Kyle Busch is as motivated now as he has ever been, which is bad news for the rest of the field. While a Richard Childress car has never made the Championship 4 since it was introduced, Kyle Busch has a chance to change that this year.

Who do you think will make up the four drivers who’ll race for the title in Phoenix?

NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Predictions

2023 Ally 400 Preview

Team Liquid Look to go International