Checking-In On My Pre-Season NASCAR Playoff Predictions

[@DennyDeliversYT]

it seemed so logical to have kyle busch being a solid lock for the playoffs… little did we know how dysfunctional RCR truly is…

[@stephenholloway6893]

I guess we assumed that they would had gotten their issues resolved when the season started but apparently not and pretty much had gotten worse since then in terms of performance.

[@94nolo]

rcr = xfinity series merchants

[@greggkiest1069]

I give Kyle much of the credit for where he is. Way too many spin outs on his own and stupid avoidable crashes

[@Manley410]

i think if Busch isn't spinning out, wrecking his car, hitting others cars like a baby for an entire calender month, he would actually be in the playoff spots. It isn't just RCR.

[@stephenholloway6893]

@manleyfgc7981 Sure but everyone there is at fault to a certain point besides Kyle and Childress the problem is that they would rather blame Childress then Kyle.

[@adepressednygiantsfan]

LMC got waaaaaaay overhyped in the preseason, also Hocevar having top 10s at all in Spire equipment, yea he’s underrated

[@JJ_R3ACH]

Not just Spire but the 77. Which was easily the worst car in 2023

[@Pointlesscrap-lu5vi]

@@JJ_R3ACHthat had Ty Dillon behind the wheel

[@shaneharrisnj3484]

Aaaannnnd Rick Ware is actually going somewhere that isn't down thanks to Kaz and Haley.

[@someoneftw]

Both Busch and Logano haven’t looked the same since winning their 2nd championship

[@JJ_R3ACH]

Joey didn't even look the same when he won his 2nd Championship

[@nickchana8573]

@@JJ_R3ACHeh I disagree, it wasn’t like a super great statistical season, but he still got 4 wins and entered the playoffs with the 2nd most playoff points

[@SortaNonymous]

​@@JJ_R3ACHUgh, please don't remind me of THAT horrible race. (Yes, I'm a Chastain and Bell fan and also just nowhere close to a Logano fan in general. Yes, it still stings.)

[@SortaNonymous]

Is there a curse to winning multiple titles in the Playoff era? (I mean if so, then at least I can't feel that scared dreaming about Truex winning this year... unless it means the racing gods ruin his post-retirement life too.)

[@supercoffeebean]

Logano won the Allstar race this year with almost a perfect run; race only counted for money. I expect Logano to get into the round of 16 on points or a win.

[@edwardnegrete2163]

Eric I think your predictions are highly accurate amongst any and all NASCAR critics. I only tune into you for all my NASCAR needs.

[@spencerrubin1769]

If you only watch Eric, how do you know how his picks compare to others?

[@Itsgamingtime11YT]

Jeez already 8 away from playoffs?! How the time flies

[@rocksreviewsreactions337]

2024 has felt like one of the fastest years I ever felt. It was so quick.

[@Itsgamingtime11YT]

@@rocksreviewsreactions337 exactly

[@rocksreviewsreactions337]

@@Itsgamingtime11YT I wouldn't be surprised if someone is speeding up time.😆

[@davids5006]

Wait until you get older, time really flies

[@reborndiajack9612]

Make that 5

[@IsaacV24]

I don’t know which pick aged worst: Erik Jones or Kyle Busch.

[@corduroycal]

Jones could still have a random winning run. He did it last season at Kansas out of nowhere

[@Carlovingbozo8]

​@corduroycal uhhhh kansas? Uhhhhh last year?

[@corduroycal]

@@Carlovingbozo8 he didn’t win but was so close

[@Railroadracer49]

Kyle Busch 💯

[@chasebriscoefan19]

My championship 4 picks are Larson, Bell, Elliott, and Reddick

[@Pigeongamer_]

I’d go with Larson, Hamlin Bell and Elliot. I think reddick is a good choice but he’s a little too inconsistent right now

[@stuartsonger3364]

​@@Pigeongamer_CORRECTION- his pit crew is too inconsistent

[@Pigeongamer_]

@@stuartsonger3364 I’d go a step further. His whole TEAM is inconsistent. 23xi has been off at a couple tracks this year

[@claychamlee884]

​@Pigeongamer_ that's my picks!

[@rebelsoul5980]

No BK or Hamlin? I don't see Reddick getting into final four!

[@ScottG91]

Eric that's awesome how you are confident enough to watch your own videos. I hate hearing my voice whenever i watch old videos or calls at work.

[@IceBandit14]

You should react to you reacting to your way to early playoff picks later this year.

[@Pointlesscrap-lu5vi]

Infinite content farm

[@bojojr2945]

I always enjoy your show Eric! But this self critique is great! You crack me up.

[@WizardKingNick]

I always love the early prediction video and this follow up, but i feel like itd make more sense to do it the week after the cutoff race so you know which ones you got right and wrong

[@WizardKingNick]

As of right now you have 13 of the 16 correct.

[@westrx7]

That was a fun episode. An update during the playoffs would be interesting.

[@musthaveclassics]

Now watch Justin Haley win a random race and just ruin everyone’s preseason picks

[@irvingboy1122]

It’s that time once again to see how far off those predictions are so far in the season

[@leehallman7764]

Hey @EricEstepp don't sleep on Michael. He is running the best he has ever run but just can't finish. Darlington is a strong point and Daytona and Chicago if he needs them.

[@StoopidRoofer555]

Its a BOLD statement to count Rowdy out!!! I've been a fan of this great sport for 35 years, and one thing i NEVER do, is bet against Kyle Busch! Not until turn 3 in the last race, on the last lap, and he's nowhere in sight! Especially a PISSED OFF Kyle Busch! That is a driven man! He's going to make it!

[@SN1PERx64]

Double checked my old comment on the video, and my picks weren't much better. I did predict a slow start for Logano, Eric Jones out, and bowman in, but I made some other bold predictions that did not pan out. Oh well, it was a extra fun challenge to an always fun video series!

[@M1ster77]

LOVE the GHOST T-Shirt 🤘😆 Just seen "Rite here, Rite now" in the cinemal last weekend! 😎🎉

[@bowman_fan2560]

I would love to see Alex win it all and who would look foolish for not even putting him in the playoffs?

[@carterhealy]

Could Kyle Busch turn it around and do a 2011 tony Stewart??

[@stephenholloway6893]

Anything is possible but most likely Kyle has to win before the playoffs to get in unlike what Tony did.

[@krinky0666]

Tony was actually in top 10 all the time,he was fighting for the last chase spot because he didn't want to get out of the chase if the wildcard guys did something. Kyle busch can get into playoffs only if he wins tbh

[@andrewbono6714]

YOOOO THE GHOST SHIRT ERIC I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE NOW

[@drdogbarker3830]

This is a really entertaining video. Like NASCAR Mystery Playoffs 3000. Just put a robot in the audience next time.

[@AustinKnappWrastlin]

Who are we signing for our driver of the number TBD Estepp Autosport Chevy (cause the show/channel colors are yellow)

[@8ETHANK8]

Brennan Poole

[@AustinKnappWrastlin]

Yeah that makes too much sense

[@TheLilmanbambam]

My favorite part of the Eric Estepp uploading season

[@iLikePlanez]

Larson or Bell Will win the championship, Hamlin will come close but lose (as always). Josh Berry will win a race, and Truex will flip at Talladega

[@EndlessFlameout4]

You couldn't be any more wrong

[@issacwyre06]

​@TheUncancelable1 Byron is way too inconsistent!!!

[@LennyisFast]

1/4 of these predictions are correct

[@Takingyoutojail]

Byron has looked terrible at short flat tracks this year He’s way too inconsistent He’s the 3rd best driver on his own team He isn’t better than Truex, Bell, Hamlin, Larson, Elliott, Blaney or even Logano at this point

[@bighand1530]

@@issacwyre06 William Byron started out hot winning 3 races. And that was a little while ago.

[@grantsorrell5982]

Hmm interesting Ghost car scheme Tshirt. Can't recall that though

[@Eagleracer38x]

I mean, with the overtime rules bringing chaos to the endings and parody of the cars, anyone can win any race. And, there is still the "this team circled this race" to punch their ticket into the playoffs. Getting 12 drivers right is really great. This isn't F1, where Max is almost guaranteed to win the drivers championship this year, and likely next year.

[@zircconium]

this aged well lol

[@Jeffgordon24everfan]

“If the wheels fall off Bowman’s season…” 2 weeks later Bowman wins Chicago 🤣

[@issacwyre06]

Kyle Busch can win a race IF he has a very fast car.

[@rileymerritt8898]

He probably wins Atlanta if isn’t so nice to Suarez and his slow ass car

[@tboy3457]

I had Justin Hailey, Daniel Hemric, Tod Gillaland, and BJ McLoud in part time equipment making the playoffs…… can’t believe I was wrong.

[@bobaboey]

Fun episode. Holding urself accountable.

[@iceeblueburst03]

0:12 Nervous smile

[@supercoffeebean]

Logano will make the round of 16 on points or a win. Give him clean air and he is a formidable opponent; almost a perfect Allstar race this year.

[@andrewv3892]

Time to revisit this again lol since Joey just complicated this

[@arthurtalhati5764]

Back in january my playoff predictions were like this 1 William Byron 2 Chase Elliott 3 Ryan Blaney 4 Christopher Bell 5 Kyle Larson 6 Kyle Busch 7 Denny Hamlin 8 Joey Logano 9 Ross Chastain 10 Alex Bowman 11 Brad Keselowski 12 Chris Buescher 13 Michael Mcdowell 14 Bubba Wallace 15 Erik Jones 16 Tyler Reddick What do you think?

[@elijames3041]

Good evening Eric

[@Slideshowsports]

11:23 Sonoma is the only other regular season road course.

[@L-W-7]

"Truex is a virtual lock" From +155 to being locked in by +18 at the end of stage 2 and finishing 2nd to last at Darlington

[@diecastcountdown9651]

I Picked: 1. Martin Truex Jr. #19 2. Denny Hamlin #11 3. Ross Chastain #1 4. Tyler Reddick #45 5. Kyle Busch #8 6. Chase Elliott #9 7. Kyle Larson #5 8. Christopher Bell #20 9. Daniel Suarez #99 10. Ryan Blaney #12 11. William Byron #24 12. Erik Jones #43 13. Chris Buescher #17 14. Ty Gibbs #54 15. Brad Keselowski #6 16. Bubba Wallace #23

[@RG5_Gamin]

Bell and Larson are the most likely to win the championship, Briscoe will points his way in and berry will win, but with the first 6 races being all crazy races, some very good playoff contenders will be out early like logano,Truex,Blaney, and Hamlin

[@ming454]

Hamlin has too many playoff points to get out in the first round, he will probably have 30+, so with about 65-80 being a cutline he'll need an average finish of about 23 or worse in this round and it's just too unlikely for Hamlin (especially with this tracks) and the next round is basically almost the same as before and he was always fine in that round.

[@RG5_Gamin]

@@ming454 yes, but this season has already been very wild, so I expect that to triple during the playoffs

[@Woofle22]

I’m 13 for 16 atm. Obviously didn’t see Suarez and Cindric wins coming and I underestimated the 6 while overestimating the 8

[@johndornoff]

Who would have predicted Cindric to win a race? He was no where to be seen last year, he was no where to be seen until Gateway, won Gateway and has once again fallen off a cliff.

[@anubiam3004]

Funny how if you take out the auto-qualify for wins Cindric and Saurez are not even close to being in.

[@xavierjuno4572]

​@@anubiam3004meanwhile when you compare them to their teammates, they haven't been lighting the world on fire but they've been sneaky consistent

[@zircconium]

I predicted him to win atlanta, which he was close to doing, which superspeedways are really his only shot at winning

[@MeDoe-zr1jf]

Right now I have 13/16 with only bubba Wallace in 17th Kyle Busch looking nothing like himself and Erik Jones who missed two races

[@rowdyseverlastinganimes518]

2:18 Keith Rodden Is The Type Of Dude That Does Nothing In A Group Project But Gets A Good Grade Anyway

[@scottrudd3863]

That T is sick. Ghost 🤘Where did you get it?

[@zircconium]

1:03 I guess I was the only one then 😉 didn’t have suarez tho

[@blueredlover1060]

At this point, I almost expect Austin Dillon to win something, which would be par for the course for him. I could certainly see Logano or Buescher securing their spot with a win. Truex is a virtual lock, as long as we don't end up in a 15+ winner scenario again, which could happen. I think we end up with 3 more winners, and those 3 will likely be: Austin Dillon (Daytona most likely, but he always seems to win when it's least expected, almost like Jamie McMurray), Chris Buescher (I'm not sure the where, but that car has been fast and can certainly win a race), and Bowman or Logano (one of them makes with a win, the other is it entirely).

[@ryanhamilton8084]

i need to know where he got that ghost x nascar shirt

[@JackCallSports]

15:04 ITS ME

[@gamez4420]

I do wanna point out Jones wasnt the worst pick for a playoffs choice. Before he had to miss races (so counting the talladega DNF) he had a 17.5 average finish. He had 1 top 10, and only 4 finishes outside the top 30, so his points situation wasnt the greatest (if I remember right he was sitting around 22nd in points after Dega) so he wasnt a safe bet, but he wasnt the worst pick imagineable, and was actually on pace to possibly contend for one of the last points slots depending on how wins fell

[@billbrasky1288]

The top 4 cars/garages right now(as far as body of work this season) are pretty clear. The 5, 11, 24, and 20.

[@rocksreviewsreactions337]

I personally think as of now the 9 is a bit better than the 24.

[@alexmeeker263]

I think you get a mulligan for this year for SHR guys

[@CriticalNuance]

Right now I'm at 13/16 for my pre-season predictions. The best I can do is 14/16. I didn't have Cindric or Keselowski.

[@ryanmichaels297]

I told you when you left Bowman off it was going to be a bad move, and while I have been right so far, I would be feeling much more confident with a win.

[@ryanmichaels297]

Oh, and FUCK you about hoping he falls off the playoff grid. You go to Hell hahahahahaha

[@Doomedrpgthecozygamer99]

Chase Elliott to the 19 car would have been insane 😅

[@Landmasters]

To be fair Eric, your predictions can't compare to me saying Zane Smith would be 17th or 18th in points come Playoff time I thought that Trackhouse affiliation would turn that 71 into what Ty Gibbs was last year and wow do I have egg on my face...

[@VanillaSpooks]

Virtual locks aren’t always as strong as physical locks xD

[@jackolson8775]

Nice shirt Eric. GHOST !

[@23mrcash]

No one expected KB to have such a decline. I hope he makes a comeback

[@tylerhernandez5234]

So far my crazy prediction is going great, Joey is in fact not having an even number year in 24

[@danielblock6876]

I am not watching tonight's race Eric, again hope you guys have fun in Nashville I'm taking a break from racing not you in general, I said racing I am taking a hiatus. My Aunt Melissa texted me and told me I should for now, and I hope to find something else to watch to enjoy for the time being or at least be able to somewhere to go with my Grandma. But I did want to see this video beforehand.

[@jesseconway7972]

Bowman winning the week after this video is actually hilarious

[@JJ_R3ACH]

To be fair tho Gibbs has been slipping alot lately. Could be something to watch

[@graystoneallstars8367]

Why are your playoff standings different compared with the Nascar app playoff points list?

[@Afanofnascar]

Eric nodding to the old video of him his hilarious

[@SuperChevy-bg6ip]

wait wasn’t he in Nashville edit: does he have a green screen, or edit this background into his videos. I need this needed information

[@fivespeed42]

Probably pre-recorded this

[@EricEstepp]

I filmed this Thursday morning just before my flight

[@SuperChevy-bg6ip]

ok

[@dhogs]

Should’ve just waited till playoffs were actually locked

[@94nolo]

my picks have been really good, I just had Bubba over Cindric, and Ross over Suarez.

[@citizenoftheyearCC]

Did Eric just say good point to himself? 7:19

[@ColtDaBolt85]

I mean here was my "Way to early picks" Byron Blaney Bell Larson Elliott Truex Hamlin Busch Keselowski Logano Buscher Reddick Wallace Chastain Gibbs Hocevar

[@macsmith-cg6wg]

This has really been a weird season. Hendricks and Gibbs are on track as usual, Penske is in good shape and RFK. 23Xl will make it. RCR is a big disappointment but I think Busch is gonna make it. Could be wishful thinking but he is a great driver and besides that me and my son in-law have a standing bet of get this $1 a race. His guy is Blaney and mine is Busch. So Busch is gonna be there. By the way we never pay each other. It's just for bragging rights. GO BUSCH we need a win, because if one of our guys win it's $2 instead of $1.

[@Wisconsin222]

Hey Eric don’t worry we still have eight races for that Erik Jones, Busch, and Bubba to win lol

[@JackLikesTrackhouse]

There’s still a possibility I could get 15/16 right. I had Elliott missing again simply due to him not winning a race and he won a race.

[@bklewis1976]

How stuuuuuupid, me as a Bowman fan didn't think a street course race on wet weather tires would be how we locked ourselves into the playoffs but I'll take it every day of the week

[@Primrose2004]

I had Cindric out and Busch in.

[@davids5006]

It's Denny's year! 🏆🤣

[@SortaNonymous]

This is hilarious, but isn't it a tad early?

[@tripp6661]

Couldn’t predict Saurez AND Cindric winning races 😂 but I think the story with Bubba and Amirola forces that 23 team to lock in and they go on there usual summer run and he makes it in…OR it causes them to tank the rest of the season 😂🤷🏾‍♂️

[@karlcalvert812]

Don't forget about Pocono Michigan Daytona and Darlington. All tracks Jones has run well at wouldn't be shocked if he can steal one of those I also don't think Bowman is a lock. He's historically worse in the summer and only +50 ish

[@ming454]

My comment was: "I agree with everything except Jones. Yeah, he is good, but switching to Toyota and a lot of changes in Legacy will probably be almost like being in a new team, which is not good for him, so I guess he will finish in top 20, but not top 16. I would peak Suarez, he wasn't very good, but still good, he could still make it on points at Daytona, I think if he will improve just a bit, it'll be enough. If not Suarez, I think Hocevar or Briscoe. Hocevar was good at 3-tier Legacy, so I believe in him at Spire. And Briscoe was good that first part of the season and stopped being good right after the penalty, so I guess SHR just gave up on his 2023 season and stopped working on his results, but now he is main driver in the team, so..." So I'm currently 14/16 and if Bowman really goes out, It'll be 15. Pick Cindric in and Busch out was just too crazy back then (pick Cindric was even too crazy the moment before Blaney ran out of fuel)

[@pinkiepromise666]

Truthfully I think everypony got Suarez and Cindric wrong. I didnt pick Bowman either; I also wasn't sold on him being 100%. So i have 13 of 16 YTD lmao.

[@ReedThomas71]

Kyle could still win a race. He can get this car figured out and go on a tear winning.

[@AndrewHP]

I watched this video the other day, so I already have seen the comparisons. Let’s just say it didn’t work out too. Good did it? 😂

[@bighand1530]

Nice

[@jordanjimenez3144]

Love the vids

[@EricEstepp]

Thanks!

[@bighand1530]

Same

[@Wisconsin222]

In all seriousness so far you have 12-13 drivers correct (13 if Logano makes it) so you know what who knows maybe Bubba and Erik will get a win so will Kyle Busch (I mean come on it will take a lot for Rowdy Busch to be winless in a season)

[@Ryans319]

Legacy is still building up. A little disappointed with them too being a Legacy fan.

[@Carsboy95]

Honestly who didn’t have Kyle Busch and Joey Logano as playoff locks? Most of us did, now there both barley hanging on to the top 20 (with Joey in the playoffs just barley). They have underperformed so much it’s honestly shocking,

[@anubiam3004]

Original posted on the 2023 predictions (see rules below): Updated Edits for 2024 using same logic. 1. Champion Category Adds Blaney and Drops Harvick (7) 2. Multiple wins previous season Adds Buescher (6) 3. Missing Hendricks: Bowman 4. Missing Gibbs: Gibbs 5. Highest Previous season pts: Wallace (10th) At this time I'd have 14/16 with Busch and Wallace letting me down and Cindric and Saurez stealing the spots. I will point out that Cindric and Saurez are each about 75-100 pts below the cut off, if their win didn't get them in. Plate races and Road Courses are going to screw this up every season. @anubiam3004 1 year ago I'll go as braindead as possible and compare at playoff time. 1. All past Champions competing a full season (Logano, Elliot, Busch, Larson, Harvick, Truex, and Kesolowski[sometimes being braindead hurts]) (7) 2. Drivers that won multiple times the season before not listed above (Chastain, Bell, Hamlin, Byron, and Reddick) (5) 3. Any Hendricks drivers not listed above Bowman (1) 4. Any Gibbs drivers not listed above Gibbs (1) 5. Fill out the remaining spots with drivers based on final points position the previous season (Blaney, Briscoe, Suarez) (2) Essentially by 16 is the same trading Kesolowski/Gibbs for Wallace/Allmendinger Wallace likely makes it before Kesolowski Gibbs/Allmendinger adv Gibbs? Can we define success now? What is the number correct to be good at this (13/14)?

[@michaelbenitez539]

Watch Bowman win at Nashville

[@Jimmietruck28]

*_1 minute ago! Made it here instantly!!_*

[@Kbrady8207]

At least you weren’t like the Iceberg last year. I believe he left Byron out of the playoffs in his preseason picks.

[@OrdinaryDude]

I don't think anyone can fault you for thinking Kyle Busch would make it this year. Who could have predicted that he would basically implode and not win a race? As much as I don't like his attitude - especially lately - he's a phenomenal driver and should be at least a little bit of a threat in ANY equipment.

[@marcusvillarreal]

Eric Estepp who's your pick to win at Nashville this weekend?

[@bowman_fan2560]

I guess Alex Bowman just messed up your predictions this year!! Oh I guess the wheels didn’t’ fall off!!!!

[@N9IBZED]

Hey Eric you are doing better than me so there is that

[@ShinyShinyBlack]

I can't see your eyes in the new vid... what happened to the lighting? Is this because you are on the road?

[@Vibewitkeezy_]

Corey Lajoie idk what else help he needs but it’s just not it in cup

[@maryrutter6908]

4:29 ummmmmmmmmmm Logano

[@maryrutter6908]

the next week after this video logano wins at nashville.

[@jareddiamond5133]

Eric, I think these 4 drivers WON"T make the Playoffs you listed earlier in the year: 1. Kyle Busch (I know, hate me if you want, but "Rowdy" is regressing. He's in the twilight year of his career now, it's hard to say. I could be wrong, though, if he doesn't make it). 2. Joey Legano (On and off years, it is again, hard to say. However, I think he has a slightly better shot than Kyle Busch). 3. Erik Jones (Gets good speed here and there, but doesn't have as much consistency backing up the 2022 Southern 500 win we saw two seasons ago. He was out for two races this season, due to a back injury at Talladega. He's a Top 25 or even Top 20 points driver, but I don't know about being a Playoff driver). 4. Ty Gibbs (Almost got in last year, showed improvement and maturity in the Cup Series. However, is still relatively new. I can see him winning, but the question is "when?").

[@ming454]

Ty got much better since Pocono last year, so hell probably be great that time again, but I agree with the rest

[@user-ed1yx2fq7l]

Picking legacy to make playoffs 😂