Filling Out My NASCAR Playoffs Bracket | 2023 Edition

[@blakeandrews9496]

the more time passes the more i miss homestead being the site of the championship race. felt like the perfect location and because we only went there that one time the whole year it made the track so important and exciting, not to mention the fantastic racing we get every time we go there

[@jaredchampagne2752]

Yea and not to mention, Phoenix is kind of a dud, garbage racing and a horrible way to decide a championship, qualifying kind of determines the winner of that race...passing is next to impossible.

[@russianbubbawallace8681]

Miami was a dud with the next gen last year so MAYBE they dodged a bullet. We'll see if it's good this year

[@pv2xeek]

The part that nobody ever thinks about is the weather. You can't have your championship race rain out. Phoenix is the obvious choice.

[@Bentley.prodzz18]

I think the championship race should be in Las Vegas. No rain and it has better racing than phoenix

[@rebelsoul5980]

​@pv2xeek no Las Vegas is the obvious choice!! A classic track where the championship can be decided in LAS VEGAS!!

[@graham2661]

Round 1 is so interesting, because even the 16 seed is really really good at 2 of the 3 tracks, and solid at the third

[@americanwalmarts3565]

What's Bubba's average finish at Darlington?? is he really good at that track?? is 23XI good at Darlington??

[@graham2661]

@@americanwalmarts3565 well he’s finished 9th and 5th there in his last two races. 23XI in general has been very good at intermediates. Everything else has just been a work in progress

[@TheJoviLovi]

​@@graham2661because he's an average hit or miss driver

[@nathanmiddaugh6986]

I think Larson is an early exit in round 12. And I think Buscher will make the final 4 instead. My championship pick =Byron.

[@jeffbennett7470]

I would really like to see at least one RFK car in the final 4

[@THEDonnyB]

I think that'd be cool. But I think they are still not quite there. Next year for sure.

[@daltin92]

I have Chris being the one that will represent RFK in the championship 4 besides Truex, Kyle Busch and Byron. RFK is the hottest team going into the playoffs right now and I can see Brad making it to the round of 8, but the 17 I can see him pulling a Chastain type of run and going all the way.. I still believe the championship itself comes down between Truex and Byron with the 24 winning it in the end. I wouldn't count the 8 out of it either but the last few years in the playoffs haven't been good to Kyle Busch at all so we'll see. I'm probably going to get a lot of flack for this one but idc, but I can see bubba winning Kansas and then Talladega and having his run end in the round of 8. I'm not a fan of his by any means but I'm giving him some credit for even making it in the playoffs which he deserves to be there, and yes I'm a Chase Elliott fan but even I've said it all season long,that he didn't deserve to be in the playoffs not the way that team ran when he was in the car believe it or not but when Josh Berry was driving it for that short period of time,he was better than Chase even though the results don't show it on the performance charts. I think Chase will be back in full swing next year,if he has another bad season in 2024 then it will be just exactly like Gordon did between 1999 &2001 even though Jeff won 10 races in that time span (7 in 99) and (3 in 2000) he had a lot of DNF'S in that stretch and the speed and consistency of finishing top 10 wasn't there for the most part which I was even surprised that he finished in the top 10 in points in both of those years. Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself but if Chase has another bad season then we'll go back to my Gordon theory and we'll leave it at that.

[@holdenmcmillen4307]

I got Buescher in mine

[@jamiesweitzer8469]

Final Four 1 Joey 2Truex. 3 Larson 4 Bush

[@stevenhooten4275]

I would have truex #1 logano #2 buesher #3 bush #4

[@motorracingmedia4405]

Do not be surprised if Brad Keselowski makes it to the round of 8. he won the pole a Texas last year and finished in the top ten, and he has been very good at the super speedways he just will have to limit the damage at the roval.

[@bighand1530]

True.

[@whiteeyes3743]

The championship race needs to be a test of man, car, team, pit crew and endurance!! Make it at Charlotte the world 600 or even make it a little bit longer!. Championship race needs to be great and difficult!!

[@jamiesweitzer8469]

That's what I've been saying, move the Coca-Cola 600 To the Championship Race, still in Charlotte!

[@whiteeyes3743]

@@jamiesweitzer8469 Absolutely! I can't believe they haven't done that yet! It makes the most sense and tests all levels of racing

[@JesterNikolai8]

@@whiteeyes37431. The day the Coke 600 is on is considered the bests day in Motorsports because of indy and Charlotte so it’s good for ratings

[@whiteeyes3743]

@@JesterNikolai8 Ratings would be better if it was the championship race. Look at what Phoenix gets and it absolutely sucks!! Put the 2nd Daytona or Dega on with Indy.

[@williamlambert]

not sure about that

[@leehallman7764]

Honestly I could see that Michael McDowell making it past the second round. People usually forget how above average McDowell is at Darlington. Last year he got 6th & 7th and Mikey D is known to surprise the past few years and the r12 just explains itself.

[@handsomedevil4928]

If he gets through round one I think he’ll get through round two. His finishes in round one were 6, 16, and 11, so he ran good at the round of 16 tracks. So I think a round of 8 appearance is attainable.

[@DizzyIzzy-ze6hh]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@DaveReece-u4b]

McDowell only has two top fives this year.

[@shaytrueblueaussie]

@@DaveReece-u4b He had only top five to this point last year. What’s your point?

[@DaveReece-u4b]

@@shaytrueblueaussie my point is, his performance isn’t consistent enough to make it out of the first round. Even with a win, he only had the 17th highest point total of the regular season.

[@careyloggins7752]

Eric I think Blaney saw your video and took it personally haha

[@nascaregr]

He went from his championship pick being eliminated in the round of 16, to one of his round of 16 picks winning the championship the next year

[@BigTader]

I'm really hoping that Kyle Busch and his 8 team have all the bad luck behind them and they make it to the final 4.

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

Nah not another final 4 with Busch in it.

[@TheJoviLovi]

​@@runrafarunthebestintheworld💀

[@tjelol]

​@@runrafarunthebestintheworldawwww but it's entertaining:(

[@ASKid24]

It would be amazing to see Buescher write the entire Cinderella story.

[@johnschnellbach986]

Based on what you said, I see Bubba moving to the round of 12. 5th at Darlington. Won Kansas. He's also pretty consistent at finishing 12th or higher. I see at least 1 of higher ranks wreck out. After that, Bubba's only way to the round of 8 is to win Talladega, which he has done before.

[@JesterNikolai8]

I’d take the talladega part with a grain of salt due to it being rain

[@ChrisBl33p]

​@@JesterNikolai8yeah, but he's a good super speedway racer in general, so it wasn't entirely due to rain. It certainly helped, but let's not pretend that he is shit at these tracks.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

​​@@JesterNikolai8He battled Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano (two of the best superspeedway racers of all-time) for 8 laps (an eternity at Talladega) with the threat of imminent rain at any moment (everyone knew it, too). If anything, he got bailed out by Ryan Preece crashing right before it rained. He earned that win, and the narrative that he didn't is ridiculous

[@DaveReece-u4b]

He also finished 4th at Kansas this year.

[@americanwalmarts3565]

​@@DepravedCoTApologistBubba Wallace would've won Talladega if he didn't throw that shitty block on front of Truex Jr

[@RaynShikama]

2022: Chase Elliott wins the regular season championship, Martin Truex Jr misses the playoffs. 2023: Martin Truex Jr wins the regular season championship, Chase Elliott misses the playoffs.

[@rowdy54]

KFB could make the championship 4, he's been consistent at the 1 1/2 mile tracks this year. Last year at Vegas, he came back from the rear because his tire coming off to finish 3rd. RCR has upgraded their short track equipment in recent weeks

[@Galahad_the_brave]

Never count out the boy Rowdy to get it done, even with 3 wheels on his hot rod. I think it says a lot that both Reddick and KFB have both made the playoffs in that 8 ball and Dillon has just 1 win at daytona summer race last year. dudes a dud and RCR needs to abandon ship with him

[@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011]

I agree but blood runs thick

[@brettwhitesides7595]

KFB hits his stride going in and every track in the final 4 can be a win

[@WhatAboutTheBee]

So looking forward to the review episodes after each round completes. Eric has been reasonably good at predictions this year, and we need an accurate assessment of his prognostication! 😁

[@ngalifianakis6893]

Going to the Darlington race, will be my first NASCAR event. I'm a freshman at South Carolina, so it's local for me lol

[@davids5006]

Have a good time! Do a track pass if you can!

[@Mark-ct7sj]

Go Clemson

[@leehallman7764]

Spurs up!

[@777HPNEXTGEN]

Good first track to go to

[@DavidAlmodovar-eo8dg]

Wow. Hope you have the time of your life buddy.

[@THEDonnyB]

Round of 16 - prove you belong here. Round of 12 - prove you can endure. Round of 8 - prove you are a contender. Round of 4 - prove you're a champion.

[@MLGProSwag69]

Stat to keep in mind, since they’ve added stages to NASCAR, no one has made the final 4 in Cup with less than 200 stage points earned over the course of the full season. 1/5/11/19/20/24/45 are the 7 who have either hit 200 already or are averaging enough stage points per race to hit 200 before the finale. Although the 1 & 20 are only barely hitting that metric.

[@trealosgaming3345]

I think the 17 is getting close to that mark

[@MLGProSwag69]

@@trealosgaming334517 is well off, he’d need to average 15 stage points a race in the playoffs to hit that mark and make the Final 4

[@trealosgaming3345]

@@MLGProSwag69 except of the last 5 races, with 3 of them being non road coarses, who has been driving the best in his career. Not saying the 17 will win every race this playoff but i feel like he will win his ticket to the final 4.

[@briansalsberg7097]

Reddick is like the cowboys....gets hyped up every year to make far in the playoffs yet can never get past first round

[@AngeloRametta]

I hate the Cowboys

[@redneckgamers897]

Stenhouse has had a career year no matter what tbh most competitive he has ever been in cup

[@Thegreatdeer53]

I love this video every year!

[@BTEY586]

Forgotten: 2. Austin Cindric 3. Austin Dillon 7. Corey Lajoie 9. Chase Elliott 10. Aric Almirola 13. Jonathan Davenport 14. Chase Briscoe 15. J.J Yeley 16. AJ Allmedinger 21. Harrison Burton 26. Danii Kyvat 27. Jacque Villineruve 31. Justin Haley 36. Zane Smith 38. Todd Gilliland 41. Ryan Preece 42. Noah Gragson 43. Erik Jones 44. Greg Biffle 48. Alex Bowman 50. Conor Daly 51. Cole Custer 52. Josh Bilicki 53. Garrett Smithley 54. Ty Gibbs 62. Austin Hill 66. Timmy Hill 67. Travis Pastrana 77. Ty Dillon 78. BJ McLeod 84. Jimmie Johnson 88. Cole Curry 91. Justin Bonsignore 99. Daniel Suarez

[@ericschuette5739]

Who’s cole curry

[@BTEY586]

@@ericschuette5739 I don't know

[@tomhoblin4571]

I have the same champ 4 on my bracket, but the journey to get there was wildly different

[@TheTweedler]

Additional Thoughts [11] Hamlin - Won't make the top 4. He's made too many enemies this year and won't get the help he needs at places like Talladega and would be a likely target to get squeezed into the wall on the last lap at small tracks. [4] Harvick - I think is consistent enough to make it to the top 8 if not the top 4 assuming he doesn't get Crappy Ass Parts(tm). Also I want the ultimate feel-good story of Harvick winning the championship in his final season! [1] Chastain - Is scrappy enough to make top 8. [17] Buscher - Would love to see RFK make the top 4. And given their momentum it seems totally possible! [19] Truex Jr. - Would also be my pick to win, although it's very close with Byron.

[@SpeedyRacing15-rq1vk]

yup, I'm a Larson fan, so I agree with this! Go Larson

[@jayannakelley9051]

@@SpeedyRacing15-rq1vk- Same! Go Larson 🏁

[@DC_Cameron4]

As a harvick fan, I'm loving this prediction 😏🔥

[@KingJXI]

(11) Chastain did it last year n made it to the round of 4 wouldn’t be shocked if Hamlin made it

[@timechanger9162]

12:30 we’ll if was more luck than anything. Late race caution for debri which was off the racing line. He put for tires and multiple crashes spins and craziness happened ahead of him. He just snuck by and then another caution came out

[@braydenblue3796]

My bold prediction is that bubba makes it farther than reddick. The 45 team has been absolutely all over the place lately, and I dont trust them to not make the kinda mistake that gets you knocked out in the first round (see: Michigan). The 23 team, on the other hand, has been on their absolute A game in holding onto that points gap. Sure, theres been a few bobbles. But, overall, they've been solid.

[@Landmasters]

I was thinking this too. Reddick is good at the tracks, but Wallace has Kansas to make a cushion for Bristol and if they both make it to Round 12 Wallace has improved significantly at the Road courses

[@WhoCanKnowIt]

So the same final 4 from 2021 except switch out Chase for Byron. I'd love to see both the Hendrick cars that got in make it. Would be super cool to see the 24 get a championship with someone besides Gordon, too. I'm rooting for Willie B!

[@JasonNation72]

Byron is on another level this year, he's got to win the championship.

[@UncleT4life]

Yes I hope he does

[@DavidAlmodovar-eo8dg]

I hate to admit it because I want Harvick win. But this is William Byron's championship to lose. Im 95% sure Byron wins it all.

[@WorldsOkayistGuitarPlayer]

He lucked in to 4 of 5 wins this season. Might as well luck into the championship

[@anthonypray7928]

Truex has had a better year though and more top tens and two less DNF's than Byron . My pick is Truex for the title .

[@JackerWarriors25]

I’ve been waiting for this video from you!!

[@blastonightfb77ryan86]

I personally think the championship 4 will be Martin Truex Jr, William Byron, Chris Buscher, and Kyle Larson. I think Denny Hamlin has made too many enemies and I have Kyle Busch is out for the same reason as Eric’s

[@Handlesarestoopid]

I'm sorry but feel like Kyle Larson is being too inconsistent to make it to the championship 4

[@calebc.7818]

NASCAR predictions: Final four: Byron, Truex Jr. Busch, Larson. WINNER: BYRON (Will win comfortably) First Four Eliminated: Blaney, Reddick, McDowell, Chastain (Yes, this means I predict Stenhouse Jr. somehow gets to round of 12 but I really don't trust Chastain and Reddick makes too many mistakes to win)

[@RCHProductionsYT]

Kyle Busch 2015: Championship Kyle Busch 4 years later (2019): Championship Kyle Busch 4 years later (2023): …

[@Thegreatdeer53]

I’d love to see that

[@CloverShepard272]

My way to early champion was Byron and after the clash I chose Busch so it would be cool to see

[@DavidAlmodovar-eo8dg]

History repeating itself is your prediction? Hey sometimes history does repeat itself.

[@Thegreatdeer53]

@@DavidAlmodovar-eo8dg I hope to god it does

[@anthonypray7928]

Sorry but Truex has been just too good not to take it home this year . By far the most consistent all season long .

[@Chrisx005x]

My own bracket was the same more or less as with yours, Eric. I too have Martin Truex, Jr. winning the overall championship this year aside from being an enormous fan of his, lol. To me this year's been a tale of William Byron's dominance alongside Truex's consistency and as you said, the Law of Averages must balance things out. Even when Truex and James Small have had on track problems, it seems they've always been twentieth or better let alone their own dominance at times that's fairly comparable to Byron's. They practically had the race won on lap two at Loudon. That was so cool to see him finally win there in the Cup Series. And historically speaking, odd years are always better for both Martin and Kyle Larson, lol. It's strange in the stat column, but essentially true. I believe this postseason's a lot like a more competitive iteration of '21's with Byron pretty much filling Chase Elliott's role in the championship round. There were two JGR cars as with two Hendrick cars. So, complete parity. I think both Kyle Larson and Cliff Daniels have saved their best equipment for the playoffs anyway. There's no way they'll keep stumbling. That's not just my own biases filtering in with Larson since he's my very favorite active driver overall, but simple objectivity. No disrespect toward the other usual frontrunners of the sport, but I still think Larson has the very best rawest talent out of anyone else currently. The key's tuning his craft as well. I'm so glad to see RFK very competitive again where they rightfully should be. Brad Keselowski's management really has paid off for the team.

[@josiah7468]

My favorite videos of the year❤

[@AshtonG2022]

Mine too. Including Paint Scheme Videos.

[@number40Fan]

Ask Kyle how your equipment is if you didn't sign back with JGR. I hope Denny gets it done before the final 8. Kyle B wins at Las Vegas to make it to the last race!

[@jaredchampagne2752]

Yea KFB engine blew up like 3 times in a row in the playoffs, meanwhile none of the other JGR cars had engine troubles the entire year...explains a lot.

[@slingshothw35]

Gonna love revisiting this video after Bubba wins at Kansas (again) and nets a top 5 at Darlington cruising his way into the round of 12.. Having Bubba being a first round exit is comical at this point..

[@DC_Cameron4]

Yeah people forget how great bubba has been at all of those tracks in the 1st round. And with toyota's mile and a half package being the strongest by far, he has a great chance to advance

[@billsbetterthanurteam8488]

lmao its not comical its a good pick. hes never made the playoffs before and he has the worst pit crew ever so him missing is definitely not a bad call. aslo if he makes it i wouldnt be surprised either.

[@DC_Cameron4]

@@billsbetterthanurteam8488 I would have to agree with you on the pit crew. But I just feel that with those mile and a half tracks being on the schedule in the 1st round. It would be hard for toyota to be slow, and if he does have a bad stop. He should be able to claw his way back through the field to get a good finish

[@billsbetterthanurteam8488]

@@DC_Cameron4 I just think either can happen and I wouldn’t be surprised at all

[@DC_Cameron4]

@@billsbetterthanurteam8488 agreed

[@UGAfan12132]

I foresee this being worse than the preseason predictions but we will have to see

[@UGAfan12132]

@@johnhaas2523 I mean I’m not rooting against Eric😂 but as a Denny hater yes I hope he gets knocked out by round 2

[@Irolnella]

I'm on the fence about Bubba. He could surprise us all. HAMLIN IS MY PICK! He is always so close, and it's his turn and time.

[@bighand1530]

I wouldn’t mind Denny Hamlin winning the championship for a change before he retires.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

​@@bighand1530Honestly, I'd love it just to see the fanbase meltdown. That would be hilarious to watch

[@bighand1530]

@@DepravedCoTApologist Social Media wouldn’t boring for sure if Denny Hamlin ever wins a championship lol.

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

@@bighand1530 yeah plus once Hamlin wins he championship this year with JGR he could finally race for his own team and probably takes the 11 with him or uses the 35.

[@realbaron5714]

Denny could be the next Mark Martin 🤔

[@patrickhilton9253]

I remember talking to you at Daytona during the tweetup before 500 saying that I hoped that your preseaon playoff prediction for Truex was correct. I wasn't sure given how last season went but now he's your championship pick. A much better year this year for me as a diehard MTJ fan. I'm hoping that you are right about MTJ for a second time this season.

[@RDSk0]

My predictions: Gone at Bristol: McDowell, Stenhouse, Logano, Reddick Gone at the Roval: Chastain, Wallace, Blaney, Bell Gone at Martinsville: Byron, Buescher, Larson, Truex Championship 4: Hamlin, Busch, Harvick, Keselowski

[@autumnminor7985]

My predicts Round of 12 Byron Truex Jr Hamlin Buescher Busch Larson Bell Chastain Keselowski Reddick Logano Harvick Round of 8 Byron Truex Jr Hamlin Buescher Larson Bell Keselowski Logano Championship 4 Byron Truex Jr Hamlin Larson Champion: Truex Jr

[@AustinKnappWrastlin]

My championship 4 is Larson Byron Truex and Busch. And I have Willy B winning the cup series title. I’ll be at that race in November for my birthday which is only 2 days before the race so I’m excited to watch that race

[@OrdinaryDude]

I'd like to see the RFK cars get one stage higher than you have them; the 6 to the round of eight, and the 17 to the final four. They have been gaining momentum the past 10 races or so, so I think it'll continue for a while in the playoffs. My pick to win is also Truex or Larson. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if Kyle Busch wins it all either. He always seems to be at his best when he has something to prove, and to win the championship would prove to JGR that they should have paid him. (From Kyle's point of view at least.)

[@McQueenMcflurry]

To be honest, I would choose Kyle Busch over Larson, it all comes down to aggressiveness to those two and Larson is too mellow to be aggressive compared to Kyle Busch who was compared to Dale Sr. by Childress himself. He will do everything to have a spot on the championship 4, and also considering he still crave for revenge and I don't think he won't easily let a JGR car into the championship. But you know it's only my opinion

[@bighand1530]

I can get where you are coming from. And while I’m not the biggest Kyle Busch fan, I wouldn’t be mad if he won the 2023 championship. And when you have Childress comparing Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt Sr, I can believe it. Also, it’s been almost 30 years since Childress won a championship if I’m not mistaken. And speaking JGR, I also wouldn’t mind if Denny Hamlin were to finally win a championship before he retires.

[@JordsOnYT]

The champion is largely determined by who wins Vegas, for sure, the first round of 8 race to lock into the final 4 and have 2 weeks to get ready. So you’ve gotta like Byron on form to win Vegas and then prepare their Phoenix car to get it even better than the car that won earlier in the year

[@keithwthe1andonly]

I would agree with your pics. If we are both too far off, be gentle when it comes to your evaluation at the end of the season. I would put a Hendrick motorsports car as the champion though.

[@epicgamerp6895]

Here's my final four. Hamlin, Truex, Byron and Buescher Truex is my most confident pick of the 4. He is always there at the end when he makes it. Playoff points like it's Cash in the bank I don't see how he doesn't make it. Byron is Boom or Bust in these Playoffs. Sure he's got 5 wins but he's hit or miss like his teamates have been all season. But with the tracks in the playoffs (Darlington, Roval, Martinsville and Homstead) All tracks he's shown great speed at. I still think he's gotta a solid chance. Hamlin is interesting, You can argue if he doesn't wreck Larson twice he doesn't have the 2 win's in his tally. But Hamlin always lights it up in the playoffs. Will he win the championship? pfft no it's Denny Hamlin he'll make it just to fall short again. Still a confident pick to make the final 4 at least And finally my wild card pick in a way. Listen you can argue Busch and Larson here sure. But when it comes to tracks in these playoffs and the momentum factor. I look at no other driver then Buescher. Listen if we look at the tracks in these playoffs these tracks are reading like sweet nectar to the fly for him. The Roval, Dega, Bristol, Kanas he just won at a similar type track in Michigan. Homstead remember 2021? Where he was leading back when Roush was still a back marker? He's got playoff points. Momentum and a teammate to work with. If he implodes....Well I guess we'll have to find out huh? (Oh and uh I guess I'll pick Truex to win the championship idk pick Chris or Byron I'd still agree)

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

That's the best final 4 picks.

[@joshhenderson989]

Ryan Blaney was also just wrecked from the lead, lost a cylinder at Pocono as soon as he took the lead. Was wrecked at Nashville on a restart and sent into the inside wall. Ryan has had terrible luck. If that turns around his consistency will shine. Hoping for some reversal on the juju Eric and he wins the Championship.

[@super_looper2020]

Busch wants revenge💥💥💥!!!!! On Joe gibbs, sure he may have had some bad finishes lately but when he's motivated he's always gonna be their contending for the championship

[@KFBfanforlife]

Eric-Blaney gets eliminated on the round of 16 Interesting

[@toyrubberfrog2733]

My man, Tyler Reddick I feel is a decent contender, even though you knocked him out of the championship 4. I feel like, as you said, if he and his team can be consistent, i feel that he could easily get into the championship 4. But even then, Byron is my pick to win the championship this year.

[@jamiesweitzer8469]

You have a point with the odd number year being bad for a Logano 🏆 Championship, but I believe their R&D has them winning Vegas, locking them in Phoenix!

[@kevinfoote3092]

I don’t see Hamlin making it past the round of 12. He has made a lot of enemies this year, and I predict that someone takes him out at the Roval, and will have a difficult time finding people to draft with at Talledega. My final 4: Truex - Champion for all the reasons mentioned. Byron - been strong and consistent with no reason to think that will change Larson Logano Larson and Logano have histories of being able to stutter a bit going into the playoffs, then turn it on when they get there. My suspicion is that they have both gotten good at prioritizing the playoffs over everything at the expense of the last few weeks before the playoffs. They have both shown that they can win at any type of track, and though I could see Truex running away with the race at Phoenix, it could be a very close battle among the other 3.

[@elijahbooher8253]

Keep sleeping on Bubba, he's going to prove everyone wrong when he makes the RO12 and it'll be a sight to see and listen to the haters cry about it🤣

[@ZPaul_]

That Bubba Wallace getting eliminated in the first round prediction is gonna age like how his Reddick prediction did.

[@michigan__railfan]

Kinda like 2019 where busch won early, was consistent in the summer in 2019 (not too terribly much in 2023) but hen did GREAT in the playoffs and i see that again i can see a darlington (maybe) bristol, and texas win during these playoffs

[@lenkaburns2842]

I totally agree that Ricky & Bubba will be out in the first round. Unfortunately also Blaney I see #19 #8 #24 & 🤞🏼🤞🏼 #4 for my son

[@DC_Cameron4]

As a harvick fan, it would be so nice to see him win the chip in his final year, your son is pulling for the right driver 😏🔥

[@Scotty2303]

My Predictions: Round of 16 Eliminations: Chastain Blaney McDowell Stenhouse Jr. Round of 12 Eliminations: Logano Reddick Harvick Wallace Round of 8 Eliminations: Larson Buescher Bell Keselowski Championship 4: Byron Busch Hamlin Truex Jr. Champion: William Byron

[@Gravesiteswithjesse]

You said blaney out in round 1 won the championship

[@henpiaoliang]

I feel bad for Stenhouse because his odds for winning the championship are so long that it’s a 5 digit number that doesn’t even properly show up on NASCAR’s website for the playoffs grid challenge

[@zyx777zyx]

Bubbles the Noose Goose would NOT have made the playoffs if Elliott and Bowman didn't miss races due to injury

[@AngeloRametta]

Bubbles the Noose Goose!!! Haaaaaa! You don't know how much this comment made me laugh! Lol right now!😂

[@citizenoftheyearCC]

I was the one who last year said Reddick had as good chance of getting eliminated in first round than winning championship (was right). This year I have Final 4 as 11, 19, 8, 5 with Denny winning it all

[@FishNFoolLures]

I totally agree except replacing the 4 car for the 5

[@jjy4824]

I have a playoff prediction sheet from February, and that final 4 is exactly what I had, and it’s still what I have. Friends called me crazy for chucking in Byron and Truex. Only difference is that I had Hamlin winning from the beginning, and I’m keeping it. I feel like lots of things are lining up for it to happen, but then again, I think Logano’s championship run last year went very unnoticed, we could get a Larson title again. Who knows

[@acrylic51extra]

My surprises are Logano out in the 1st round, Busch out in the 2nd round, but I have the same final 4, with Larson winning at Phoenix

[@kkmdew09]

Round of 16 Eliminations, Bell, Reddick, Stenhouse, Wallace. Round of 12 Eliminations, Chastain, Keselowski, Logano, Harvick. Leaving us with Byron, Truex, Hamlin, Buescher, Busch, Larson, Blaney, and the Magical McDowell Round of 8 (I want him to make it through the first and then use Talladega and The Roval to get to 8) This is where it got tough for me. I have Byron, Hamlin, Busch, and Blaney! in my Final 4! I grew up a Gordon/Hendrick fan and I am now an Elliot/Hendrick fan. If Elliot can't win the championship I think this is my ideal final 4 for this year. Hamlin gets his shot at a title, Busch shows JGR he can still put himself in position to win a title, then Byron in the iconic 24, with Gordon on the pit box, and Blaney, go for their first championship as well. And as Gordon watches on from the box, I would just love love love to see the 24 car win a championship live. (bias) so he is my pick, I also think this could be the year, it could happen, than Hamlin finally gets his Championship although out of those 4 I would rather see Busch get a 3rd championship. (Interestingly his 2nd came 4 years after his first and we are now 4 years after his second championship with him looking back in form. And I always also root against Penske but for Ryan Blaney, so if a Penske car HAD to win another title for the team, I would want it to be him, and I feel better about him making it to 4 than Logano honestly.

[@johnmessinajr.2591]

Good picks Eric! I have 11, 19, 24 and 8 in my final four and Denny finally getting it done! Oddly enough I have 22 getting knocked out first round and 12 getting knocked out second round.

[@jaredchampagne2752]

Denny is a pretty consistent driver, but he chokes in the most key moments, which is why he’ll never win a championship, and not to mention he has to wreck people on the last lap to win, hes notorious for that, I can see people paying him back this playoff season...

[@lukeo6657]

TREASON

[@Pen2ke]

Me and yours are the exact same except I have blaney getting eliminated in the RO12 and Harvick out in the RO16.

[@j.cbutterfly3293]

I’m totally agree, Eric! I’m going to pick the championship 4 drivers to get in the finals. But I’m pick Truex Jr, Byron, Larson and Logano to put all in or nothing. Any predictions?

[@zero_one4056]

to me, historically, chad knaus (who’s now the GM for hendrick if i’m not mistaken) has a history of laying back in the second half of the season leading up to the playoffs, way I see it, they’re gonna turn on the afterburners now and Willy B is gonna get close if not take the championship

[@liambuchanan6342]

My Predictions: 16: Stenhouse, McDowell, Reddick, Blaney 12: Wallace, Harvick, Chastain, Logano 8: Keselowski, Buescher, Bell, Hamlin 4: Truex, Byron, Larson, Busch Champion: Kyle Busch

[@cisterna777]

Heartbeat hot sauce from Ontario Canada hell Yeaa what a sponsor 🇨🇦🇨🇦🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Steeevey1222]

My champ 4 picks: B.J. McLeod, J.J. Yeley, Josh Bilicki, and Ty Dillon. Joshy B for the championship

[@Duval-In-The-Wall]

Half JGR and half HMS is bold, it just never happens that way

[@heidtxtreme1648]

I mean it happened in 2021, Larson, Elliot, Truex, Hamlin. But I'd agree it probably won't because of the next gen car.

[@AngeloRametta]

I have decided to make my own predictions. I never do this (but I start today), so I will probably crash and burn here! 1st round exit • Wallace • Stenhouse • McDowell • Chastain 2nd round exit • Harvick • Keslowski • Blaney • Reddick 3rd round exit • Logano • Bell • Larson • Busch 😫 (too inconsistent) Champ round • Byron • Hamlin • Truex • Buescher Champion..........has to be Byron still. Bonus prediction: no playoff driver wins Darlington (happened last year. In fact, no playoff driver won in the first round in last year's playoffs)

[@LionManatic]

Drivers who are out, and a brief why Round of 16: 47: Out by points, not enough speed to be competitive 23: Out by points, no wins, little momentum. Pit Crew may assist in the elimination at crunch time. 4: Out by points, no win, no momentum, SHR and most of Ford has been lacking in speed. 12: Same as the 4, though bad day at the Southern 500; motor blows, tire issue, pit crew, may stunt any hopes as round begins. Round of 12: 34: Not enough speed, may survive Dega. But lack of points ends it 20: Dega collects, not enough to salvage at the Roval 22: Dega collects, pressure get them at Roval 17: Dega collects, close but no cigar at Roval Round of 8: 1: Got here from surviving Dega, and decent enough finish at Roval. Not enough momentum, or strong finishes 6: Strong, but not strong enough during single number points battle 11: Talladega killed the cushion, then Martinsville strikes again to finish off. 45: Suffers at Homestead; Pit Crew or tire failure. Out by points Final four: 19 24 5 8 Champion: 24- dominating season, ends as expected, after hard racing between teammate Larson 2nd: 5 (finished 4th in the spring) 3rd: 19 ( finished 17th in spring) 4th: 8 (finished 8th in spring)

[@The_Billzebub]

Idk what I’ll do if William Byron wins the championship this year. I’ve never actually seen a driver I route for win a championship. It’s between him and Truex but I have great feeling about Byron!!

[@quinnlay2150]

Nah let buschy cook🗣💯‼️🔥

[@warrengoesle8235]

Championship 4 (in order of Phoenix finish): Truex, Larson, Byron, Buescher.

[@zirc_]

i’ve got truex winning too. same final four except i have busch instead of byron. also have logano out in the R16

[@karmensanchez2972]

@Eric: do you think the regular season champion should get a bye in the playoffs? Up for debate as to how far, championship 4, round of 8? Would make consistency start to matter more in the regular season

[@griffinfuller2567]

The issue with using spring Martinsville as a measuring stick is that there was that caution in the middle of green flag stops in stage 3 that threw the order completely out of order

[@lukeramsey-un4hh]

I’m going to be a little risky first four eliminated Stenhouse, Chastain, Reddick, Wallace. Second round elimination Harvick, McDowell, Logano, Brad K. Third round I got Bell, Hamlin, Truex, Buescher out. Final four are Byron, Larson, Busch, and Blaney.

[@kevanlindsey483]

Joey and Paul are built different once the playoffs hit. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them slip into the Final Four.

[@Gr8estspySterlingArcher]

Your pick for Reddick being in the final 4 last year wasn’t wrong it was just foreshadowing I know the results haven’t shown but Tyler has had speed at all but superspeedways so don’t sleep on him… he makes it to homestead he’s in the final 4

[@lazarkracken5407]

My final four picks are the 19, 24, 8, 12. Truex and Byron because they are are consistent. Busch Because he looked like a champion the first half of the season and Blaney Because he is good at Talladega in the round if 12 and Vegas in the round of 8.

[@JebPlayz_]

Watch Bubba pull a Chase Briscoe this year and make the round of 8. I’d be the most happiest Bubba fan

[@bradnerling7156]

Bubba thugga ain’t even good enough to work the McDonald’s drive thru window. Dude is a total ass clown. Just listen to him talk and watch how he carry’s himself. Total joke.

[@MayBeSomething]

MTJ as the third active multi-champion driver? Now THAT'S a timeline I want to live in! The fact that a Toyota wins is an added bonus.

[@E.P.A.M.52]

Round of 16 elimination: McDowell, Stenhouse, Reddick, and Keselowski Round of 12 elimination: Wallace, Busher, Bell, and Blaney Round of 8 Elimination: Hamlin, Chastain, Logano, and Busch(loses in tiebreaker between Harvick) Final 4: Harvick, Larson, Byron, Truex Champion: William Byron (8 wins) My predictions video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGmZlWCsaNCXeLM

[@issacwyre06]

Ah yes, No Chase Elliott

[@davids5006]

🤣

[@nascaranddogs]

WWWWWW

[@hollygolden9673]

Can't get him out of your head huh? Bad case of bromance dude.

[@ToopyAndBinooRulesEst2004]

You bite your tongue.

[@777HPNEXTGEN]

Watch the ratings drop off

[@jacobwilson6192]

Round of 16 Elimination; 1. Ricky Steinhouse Jr. 2. Michael McDowell 3. Ryan Blaney 4. Joey Logano Round of 12 Elimination; 1. Kevin Harvick 2. Ross Chastain 3. Denny Hamlin 4. Kyle Larson Round of 8 Elimination; 1. Bubba Wallace 2. Tyler Reddick 3. Brad Keselowski 4. Christopher Bell Final 4 Championship; 1. Martin Truex Jr. 2. William Byron 3. Kyle Busch 4. Chris Buescher My Championship Winner is Chris Buescher (This one is my "BOLD" Championship Winner)

[@AceTheStorm]

MCDOWELL SUPREMACY But seriously I think the 34 could sneak their way into the round of 8. If McDowell stays consistently good (top 15+) in round 1 he has a couple strong tracks in round 2 with Dega and the Roval. Unfortunately after that he'll likely end up 7th or 8th best but I'm proud of his season either way.

[@zyx777zyx]

Championship 4 Picks....... 24, 19, 17, 8....... Byron wins the Championship

[@maverick024gaming3]

These are all really good choices I would have to agree with your pics

[@jorgejoelhernandez]

My final four: Kyle Busch Chris Buescher William Byron Martin Truex Jr. Winner: William Byron

[@stormix5755]

I think Truex, Hamlin, Byron, and Buescher get into the final 4. I’m a diehard Larson fan but he just hasn’t had the consistency this year. Somehow I know he’s going to have 1 or 2 more DNFs this year. Hendrick just hasn’t been solid lately, even Byron had his summer slump. When Hendrick is good they’re the best but it’s a sporadic performance. I have a gut feeling that Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott are going to turn it up in these last ten races. Elliott for Tony Stewart style revenge and Keselowski has been quietly good these past few weeks. His win is coming. I think Byron is going to fall off, Hamlin chokes, and MTJ wins the championship easily.

[@a-ski20]

Making some bold picks because momentum can change in the playoffs and often by the round of 8, there isn’t a big gap in points. I think the 17 will stay hot, the 20 will heat up, and I think the two favorites will cool off through the playoffs, especially the 19. Round of 16 23 22 34 47 Round of 12 11 6 45 4 Round of 8… 12 1 19 24 Final 4 8 5 17 20 I could see any of these 4 take it all but I’m predicting a battle of the “Christopher’s” while the Kyle’s fight for 3rd! 😁🏁

[@schizoidforjesus]

Hendrick has a tendency to do some pretty crazy experimentation with setups in the back end of the regular season. Just last year, Byron went from midpack mediocrity to the 2nd best average finish in the playoffs.

[@pjrippa3850]

Only difference I have with Eric’s list is replacing Hamlin with Kyle Busch in the final 4.

[@BDeLuca4444]

Pretty good field and going to be tough eliminations on all sides: Round 1 Eliminated: Stenhouse, McDowell, Chastain, Wallace Stenhouse and McDowell are on the smaller teams with among the lowest points, and none of the tracks are good obvious tracks for them to excel compared to the rest of the teams. Maybe Bristol for Stenhouse, but I think he will be in a must win, and he will not win. No Road Courses to help McDowell. Chastain has been very quiet since his one win, and while I think Chevy wakes up a bit, I think Chastain gets unlucky here, or people pay him back from earlier in the year. Lastly Wallace I think will be the first guy out on points, possibly in a head to head with Reddick. Reddick's extra points I think will help him. If Wallace wants to get through, he may need to win in Kansas like he did last year. Round 1 Winners: Darlington: Larson Kansas: Truex Bristol: Busch Round 2 Eliminated: Keselowski, Bell, Blaney, Reddick Tight Round but I think Keselowski despite his Super Speedway Ability, actually gets caught up and can't make up the difference at the Roval. Bell and Reddick also get caught up and are close to much win situations as well, and come close but don't win the Roval. Blaney is another that I think barely skates through round 1, but doesn't really have much speed when needed outside of Talladega. Another issue is that I think Elliott wins Roval, the first of the non playoff drivers. Round 2 Winners: Texas: Byron Talladega: Logano Roval: Elliott (Non Playoff) Round 3: Eliminated: Hamlin, Busch, Logano, Buescher Round 3 Winners: Vegas: Harvick Homestead: Larson Martinsville: Byron (Truex is first place on points) I think Harvick gets one last win for his career, somewhat reminiscent of Gordon in 2015, and gets into the last round. Harvick will be consistent throughout, and awarded with a win. Again, I think the Chevy's will be better in the playoffs than they were in the Summer, especially HMS. This is not unusual for them to save the best for the end. Both Larson and Byron benefit from this and get a win, Larson's 2nd of the playoffs. Truex continues to be the most consistent driver and locks in Top 5s in all rounds to advance, with Hamlin just short. Hamlin may also be feel payback from Larson here, if it comes down to that. Buescher I think will struggle more than the other drivers due to lack of experience at this stage. Logano and Busch are competitive, but lack the consistency of Truex and HMS, and falls short. RCR as a team is still a little inconsistent at this stage, the car swings fast or slow more than the other top teams, and Penske seems to be off this year, and Logano only made it due to a Dega win in my predictions anyway. Also and odd number year so the pattern sits. Final Four: 1. Truex 2. Byron 3. Harvick 4. Larson Truex has been the most consistent driver, with a good amount of wins, and is good at Phoenix. He has also been runner enough plenty of times since his one championship, so he is due. The others are competitive though, with all finishing in the Top 6. Byron Harvick and Larson were all fast in the Spring, and it will carry over, but Truex will pull it off. Like Gordon, Harvick finishes 3rd of the Final Four to finish 3rd in the standings. I think Larson may get undone by a slower than normal pitstop, since an amazing pitstop gave him the lead in 2021, and the NASCAR gods these days seem to give and take away equally in the playoffs, especially in the last race. Overall, I think Chevy and mainly HMS wake up in this round like they have done many times in the playoff era. I think Truex gets a couple of wins, including the Big one. Harvick gets one last piece of glory to make the final four and is consistent enough to get through prior. I think Penske continues to be oddly quiet, despite a Logano win at Dega. I think past actions could comeback to haunt Chastain and Hamlin, Hamlin not until later, and I think Hamlin is the first guy out for the 2nd year in a row. Also I think the 9 car in the owner's standings gets to the round of 8 before elimination, thanks to the Roval win, with the 45 car out round 1 and the 17 out round 2, with the others being the same. (The 23 not in the owners playoffs.)

[@Truex_fan19]

Great day when Eric uploads

[@mmartinfan4life523]

I’m going with 19, 11, 17, 8. Hendrick just has had too many issues the back half of the season

[@DavidAlmodovar-eo8dg]

That's a good final 4. I can't argue that.

[@drewbrown642]

Hedrick is strong at playoff tracks

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

Hendrick always magically gets good again in the playoffs. One of their cars will make

[@jaredchampagne2752]

You aren’t getting a final 4 without a Hendrick car, its just unheard of. Byron has been pretty consistent all year long, he wasn’t really involved in the other Hendrick troubles, he was the outlier, and Kyle Larson is one of the most clutch drivers, he’ll get it done.