Reacting to My Pre-Season NASCAR Playoff Predictions - 2022 Edition

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[@DennyDeliversYT]

Eric was pretty bold on his playoff predictions… the fact that he guessed that 16 drivers would make the playoffs correct is insane

[@obscraft5375]

🤯🤯🤯

[@kirkwoodhawk2]

I think there is a strong argument that 17 drivers actually qualified for the playoffs.

[@jackthegamer180]

Counting the all star and the duels it was 19 diff winners witch is a new record I think

[@ncdldnascarcupheaddiecastl4568]

My favorite driver is Bubba Wallace. I saw every race in the season and hoped he would win. He just needed to switch that person on Christopher Bell’s team and his earlier. He might have had a chance.

[@kevinbealer9052]

@@ncdldnascarcupheaddiecastl4568 Bubba’s got a great team this year and he will only get better as time goes by.

[@keithkotary1136]

Nicely done. Probably my favorite part of your race day analysis is the “Groovy Gauge”. Have you ever thought of averaging the gauge over the course of the season to get a gauge if you will, of how our season has been? I think it would be a cool barometer. I’m usually in agreement with your rating.

[@EricEstepp]

I should definitely do that. Thanks for the idea!

[@Xxpr0RagexX]

Yeah that would be a super cool thing to look back on and compare year to year from the history aspect

[@fivespeed42]

Great idea!

[@cbmetalgod88]

In my personal opinion, I think think after the HUGE penalty to Brad K's car/team, I feel like he's trying out different things with the setup on his car to see what works while Christopher Buscher has a more traditional setup. I mean, If I was running RFK and knew that the 6 car would need a win to get into the playoffs, which is highly unlikely, I'd probably do some experimentation with setups to see if I could find that magic setup that elevates the team as a whole.

[@craigstephenson7676]

Yeah that makes sense, I’ve been thinking brads been uncharacteristically bad and that’s probably why.

[@Ghostfan37]

@@craigstephenson7676 As a Brad fan, me too. He was always a good driver and in contention for the playoffs. This year he just struggled a lot. Maybe it was the new car, or he wasn’t trying as much because of the penalty, and with his mind on other things like being part owner. Hopefully next year he can do a lot better.

[@SevereSlaughter]

We've had like 15 regular season winners. But also the Allstar race and the duels were won by different winners. So like 18 winners this season. Insane

[@irvingboy1122]

Let’s not forget that Keslowski had that massive penalty earlier in the year that probably hurt him to some extent as well

[@christianwitte9208]

I laughed out loud when you said “these darn KZbinrs with their trolling for time”🤣🤣

[@BIRDS4L]

The pain of the playoff system. I feel for you @JGR4LIFE I was in the same scenario with KH when he was sacrificed for the system in 2020.

[@nickmcmillan568]

Everyone criticized content creators. On these speculation topics, you, critiquing yourself makes this fun to watch. Good stuff man

[@fastme1on105]

It’s cool seeing your transparency! I appreciate this it was fun to watch. 5:54 and I agree with this as well.

[@hinrichspartners3281]

Very impressed. Certainly shows how well you know NASCAR Eric. With the change to next gen car this year you still nailed the playoff drivers very well. Nicely done.

[@darrelladams4188]

Don’t feel bad about MTJ : Who saw 2 cars in the top 5 in points needed to point their way in the playoffs.

[@jackthegamer180]

Accurate prediction but if truex made the playoffs would’ve made it one of the best

[@TheCloudCreation]

I know Byron is the #4 seed right now, but I don't see him making it out of the first round, he has been a mid pack driver at best since the summer started.

[@davidbuwalda2226]

I would definitely expect him to move on at least once. He's very good at Darlington. Needs a little luck

[@LordBurger]

hes one of the best darlington drivers, he was built for this first round. and we just saw that again with 16 stage points and an 8th place finish. the only way he realistically can miss the next round is from a dnf

[@jacobgivens7906]

13/16: had Kurt Busch, Brad K and Truex in Missed: Dillon, Suarez and Cindric

[@iceeblueburst03]

Solid guesses you made there Eric. Now I’m interested to see how these drivers will do in the playoffs.

[@kevinbealer9052]

Don’t beat yourself Eric! It’s so hard to pick who gets in from season to season so you did an outstanding job in my opinion!

[@kart6t3_ben]

Good stuff. Very close on predictions. Can whole heartedly agree on the listening to your oven voice editing. It’s a weird thing most wouldn’t understand. Lol.

[@kk5hendrikm]

I know you want to include Kurt, but then you'd have to not count Blaney since Blaney would have been out without Kurt foregoing his waver

[@mtunayucer]

i guess we gotta make it 17 playoff slots

[@erinbaggarly900]

Should be the rule for such circumstances, however. The "Waiver Spot", let's call it, would have to win one of the races in the first round to advance further. Y'all can figure out the rest.

[@donaldbeshada8361]

Exactly

[@mikealves929]

In the beginning of the year Steve letart he predicted Martin Truex would not make the playoffs said he wouldn't get a win sick

[@calebleach4658]

Truex hasn't been the same driver since Cole Pearn left as crew cheif they just clicked so well together

[@cliffordbrown13]

Great foresight and video!

[@josiekroics7116]

Finally the video I’ve been waiting for

[@msalotti53]

One of my favorite videos of the year

[@flint005]

I think because Brad started the season with such a huge point penalty, they decided to just experiment this year with different setups and stuff that they probably would not have otherwise. I look for Brad to be in the playoffs next year.

[@indy968]

I love these recap videos

[@isaiahschick5376]

I’ve been waiting for this video since you posted the original

[@SchwebRN]

I went 14 for 16 surprisingly. I missed Kurt and truex out and chastain and Suarez in. I knew I was an idiot for leaving chastain out. Also suprised I got Austin Dillon. I thought with the next gen both rcr cars were gonna be fast and I thought Dillon was gonna point himself in

[@ashenwolf98]

I would count Kurt Busch as a 17th correct choice because he did win and make it in, and the circumstances around him not being in are not anything anyone could have predicted. Simply put, if someone told me in January/February that Kurt Busch would win and get into the playoffs but then be sidelined by a concussion a la Dale Jr and withdraw his playoff eligibility, I would have thought they were insane.

[@PotPynamite]

Not really your fault on Kurt tbh

[@playmoregamez115]

I said Austin Dillon was going to make it in the comments of the preseason predictions. Yes, I was the person who told nascar not to throw a yellow so the 15 cars in front of him would crash and he would win in the final regular season race.

[@heidtxtreme1648]

I only got 12 out of 16 right, but I went out on a limb before the season started and said Truex would miss the playoffs, so I did get that right, as unbelievable as it is that he missed.

[@danmiles7847]

Very Well done, I only had 9 right. Keep up the great job!

[@hhollyd66]

You did pretty good, Eric. Considering the new car and the uncertainty with that.

[@stephendemellojr9049]

I think u did really good on your pics

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video.

[@davidharris2178]

Great video

[@buddyhume9297]

You killed it!

[@AlphaXY13]

Really impressed that I managed to get 14/16, guessed Bubba and Truex would make it over Cindric and Dillon. Predicted 17 different winners in the first 26 races _(predicted Keselowski would win Talladega but still miss the playoffs)_ and almost got that on the nose too.

[@jonathanvalencia5886]

Reacting to your own troll got me dying 😂. Now you know how it feels

[@briangriffinfamilyguyfan81]

At least his pre season Chase predictions isn't as outdated and bad as last year tbh

[@damnmarkey]

1. I had Truex in Easy. 2. I had Austin Cindric winning a race as a Rookie but not the Daytona 500. 3. I had Chase Briscoe & Daniel Suárez winning their 1st cup win. 4. I didn't pick Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain make the playoff. 5. I had Kurt Busch making the playoff.

[@kob8634]

Ho-li-phuque that's amazing!! You know your NASCAR buddy!

[@alonzoalcala2742]

Damn Eric u got good predictions on nascar two out playoff Martin truex jr and brad

[@Landmasters]

I went 13 for 16, I thought Truex, McDowell, and Brad would make it in. Instead Chastain, Dillon, Suarez, and Bell proved my ass wrong 12/16 if we count Kurt Busch dropping out

[@joshuadodginsatgoogle4116]

Martin Truex Jr was Favorite to Win 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship

[@lbvlogs7801]

u thought bell would miss the playoffs??? 😭

[@crazybut6641]

I was thinking Bell too for the same reason like how Truex actually missed I was thinking Bell would be like 12/13th in normal points like last year but miss because of being winless and others who are lower in points winning.

[@Landmasters]

@@lbvlogs7801 I thought he had a decent season last year, but he lagged behind his teammates by a lot and for awhile was struggling to keep up with McDowell in points. As such I thought the Next Gen Car would lessen that advantage and he'd miss it

[@maxbellan4955]

Truex's season was insanely similar to Logano's 2017 campign. Logano won but it was encumbered and his points didn't go. The team was so inconsistent just like Truex this year, both missed out. Both in 17th after a Final 4 charge, close to the title too.

[@bakethsnake6498]

So are you saying that Truex is going to win the 2023 championship based on the fact that Logano won the 2018 championship?

[@naparacingfan9275]

I had the same exact playoff predictions as Eric did. I guess I got 13.5 drivers correct also. I didn't see Cindric winning the Daytona 500, Keselowski running so horribly (even without the 100 pt penalty for his standards), Truex missing (of course because of the dumb points system), and Suarez making it. Suarez winning at Sonoma and making the playoffs was probably the least surprising to me out of our predictions.

[@ethanmont8518]

I made some playoff predictions at the start of the year and I got about 14 correct! With the exception of Martin and Brad

[@kristenwhite2701]

Blaney’s situation gave me a stress headache, dang win and in. Glad Harvick made it. Took his time. Hopefully on a roll. Glad my guys are in and thank you Kurt. With every new winner and my faves dragging it was my most stressful season ever. I wish they would go back to old system where points mattered most and best drivers made it in. Dang you Austin Dillon!

[@realbaron5714]

You got the vast majority of your predictions right and the Austin Dillon thing was unexpected. However Kurt's concussion changed the scenario because otherwise, Blaney would have been left out. Nobody thought that Cindric, Briscoe and Suarez would win which creates an interesting scenario.

[@keithwthe1andonly]

You were really close! Wow! Next year pick 17 as a might make it.

[@gavin_legend4442]

Cool video

[@kahausler]

I would technically give him kurt in the predictions since he would be if he was ready to return. No one saw the qualifying incident at pocono happening. Get well soon kurt

[@StuffNMoreHotwheels]

Every year I watch the way too early playoff predictions then I see this video and think "Oh yeah I Eric made a predictions video"

[@danielfoster3642]

I got 10 out of my 16 drivers I had predicted back before the Daytona 500. The ones I got wrong were Martin Truex Jr. (come on, we all had him going to the playoffs very easily), Aric Almirola (who I predicted would get in by winning the regular season finale at Daytona), Brad Keselowski (who had the worst season since his first year at Penske), Kurt Busch (and no, I don't count the owner's points standings as counting towards the playoff standings), Erik Jones (who had some bright spots here and there, but could not win a road course like I had predicted), and Michael McDowell (who had a better season than the year he actually made the playoffs). The ones I missed who actually made it in were Austin Cindric (I never thought he would win the Daytona 500), Chase Briscoe (while I was half right on my thinking he would still struggle this year, I didn't have him winning a race), Austin Dillon (I didn't think he'd even be close), Ross Chastain (I knew he would be good someday, but I didn't even think it was going to be this year), Daniel Suarez (same with Ross Chastain) and Christopher Bell (I had him taking a step back from last year).

[@alissonrodrigo9167]

You had good picks tho, just missed most at Keselowski. Got Chastain and Dillon right, that was cool.

[@darrelladams4188]

Playoffs reseeding:: Top 10 in points locked in ; 6 win and your in ::: if necessary filled next highest in points

[@Shorts3J21]

Nice music Eric 🎶 👌 👏 👍

[@cory57]

Matt Lowne Space This Week background music for the outro?

[@nateisdabest]

When is the paint schemes/liveries review?

[@iceeblueburst03]

I also forgot you put Austin Dillon into the playoffs! 😂

[@StarTheKid16]

I went 11.5/16. Had Truex, Almirola, Kurt Busch (but I only gave myself .5 off for that), Keselowski, and Wallace in, missed on Chastain, Suarez, Cindric, Briscoe, and Dillon

[@timkis64]

13.5 out of 16 = 84% where i went to school thats a passing & good grade.you did well eric.

[@zacharybixby4990]

I’m a Truex Jr fan so I might be a little biased here…. That being said, I think NASCAR should consider a new rule where if you are in the top 5 in the final regular season standings, you should be locked into the playoffs. IMO

[@ThatNascarGuy]

I know Eric was disappointed with some of his picks/ non picks but only missing 2 of 16 is fantastic for a preseason prediction. Great picks Eric!!

[@geeloorgaming8046]

Great job and I don’t feel like your misses were unreasonable misses. Suarez was knocking on the door I feel like but was fringe at best. Truex, I think shocked everyone. Brad, I feel like the switch highlights how bad RFK is and has been lately compared to Penske. I’d unfortunately like to see the qualifying for the playoffs change. A hybrid of points and wins both being extremely important. 1-5 in the points make it to the playoffs even if winless. Then 6-16 are in by wins/points. Wins get you in unless tied then it’s off of points. I think that would offer a compromise that rewards consistency like the pre-playoff era and the wins mean a lot playoff era.

[@alphaguy54]

Eric, how long have you been covering Nascar?

[@Kenboslice3]

The 150 points penalty really put keselowski behind the 8 ball so early in the season, plus the inconsistency in his finishes really sealed his fate this year. He'll be back next year

[@deliriouswhome1]

They have no one blame but themselves...

[@KroD313]

Can't wait for Darlington baby!! Playoff Nascar let's go!!!

[@cormac7880]

eric's the best

[@Daddy_Harambe]

i had truex missing the playoffs from the get go this season

[@jacobmontesano9551]

Make a prediction on how the playoffs will go. Who make round of 12,8,4 and who will win it all

[@rick6083]

Yea my grid busted like my March madness does every year 🤣

[@scout222]

I also got 13/16, I missed Cindric, Bowman, and Suarez

[@LionManatic]

To be fair on Brad K, making it on points I think was already out the window after the 500, considering the 100 point penalty they've dealt with. I think if it wasn't for the penalty, I think he would've at least be in better contention points wise by Daytona 400. Because it were to seem that they've been slowly, and I mean SLOWLY starting to get things figured out considering how well and competitive the 17 car has been the past couple of races. While Brad, well, while not getting the same results, but if the 17 is showing speed and some kinds of competitiveness that's a positive.

[@joshuadodginsatgoogle4116]

Lot of people had Martin Truex Jr winning 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and Had 7 Stage wins and Failed to make the playoffs it's time to make a change if you are in the top 10 in points you should Automatically be in

[@JJ_R3ACH]

Only 2 drivers outside top 16 in points got in. If they didn't we would have Truex and Jones in. Which is crazy for a RPM car but hella impressed by that team

[@Primrose2004]

I don't remember for sure all of my pre-season predictions, but I know I had Truex and Kurt Busch in. I am putting an asterisk next to Busch because no one can predict injuries. I think I did not have Daniel Suarez or Chase Briscoe in. I figured Brad K would not do as good with Roush as with Penske, but I thought he would at least out run Buescher. I just can't remember if I had him in the playoffs or not, or who I would have replaced him with. My best guess is that I got 13 out of 16 right, +/-1.

[@Primrose2004]

P.s. My pre-season championship 4 predictions were Elliott, Larson, Byron, and Denny Hamlin, so there is still a chance I could get that one 100%. However, if I was to revise my champ 4 now, I would leave Byron out due to the team's inconsistency and add either Chastain or Harvick. I am torn between those two, but a slight lean to Harvick because of his experience.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

Here was my predictions in the comments of your video in January: Larson ✅️ Elliott ✅️ Byron ✅️ Bowman ✅️ Ky Busch ✅️ Hamlin ✅️ Truex ❌️ Bell ✅️ Logano ✅️ Blaney ✅️ Cindric ✅️ Ku Busch ⭕️ Keselowski ❌️ Harvick ✅️ Briscoe ✅️ Chastain ✅️ I got the same drivers wrong funnily enough as you, so I got the same score of 13.5. I'm missing Reddick, Suarez, & Dillon. Looking back, it was pretty stupid of me to not put any of the RCR cars in

[@kg0173]

I had similar results. I got Truex, Keselowski wrong and Kurt Busch half wrong. Instead of Chastain, I got Cindric. Considered Chastain and Briscoe.

[@stevecarey4740]

Hamlin season has just been bad luck at bad times. I think with the playoffs starting, top 16 drivers gunna have the first 16 spots to start the race I think he’ll be ok and really should win Darlington. No one has been as dominating as he has been there

[@videogamesports3569]

I only missed two. I had Truex and Justin Haley in instead of Suarez and Chastain.

[@jaedanchase]

Should drivers who finish in the top 5 in the regular season standings be guaranteed a playoff spot? I think it would ultimately strengthen the playoff field and create more drama. It also puts an emphasis on running consistently, not solely on winning.

[@darrelladams4188]

It’ll be fun watching the Austin Bros battling for 16th place in points

[@JJ-1-1]

Nope can’t happen play off drivers have a higher amount of points Ty can’t race with Austin for 16 th spot.

[@darrelladams4188]

@@JJ-1-1 come meet me at Rslash Wooooosh…. It’s a joke not the Dillion Bros but the Austin Bros…… Austin Cindric and Austin Dillion.

[@darrelladams4188]

@@JJ-1-1 come meet me at Rslash Wooooosh…. It’s a joke not the Dillion Bros but the Austin Bros…… Austin Cindric and Austin Dillion.

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

People are really sleeping on Kevin Harvick these playoffs. He’s a serious threat for the championship 4. Him and Rodney Childers have hit on something with the new car.

[@ctron2388]

14/17 not bad eric

[@GRW3]

Rauch was probably worse than he thought. I think that he never really recovered from crashing his jet at the Oshkosh airshow and that left RF rudderless.

[@steveperyer4850]

Eric. Don’t beat yourself up, as 13 out of 16 is really good prediction, especially the new car

[@JonnyViper]

I also did my too early predictions. I was wrong on MTJ, Brad K, and Ku Busch (that's half wrong!) I didn't have Christopher Bell, Austin Dillion, or Ross Chastain. Everyone else I was on the money! (Which I'm blown away by)

[@Vulcan9988]

I would be willing to bet that RFK put more money into Chris, knowing that even if they got into the playoffs with the 6 car that they wouldn't likely make it out of the first round

[@R34Rules]

Believe it’s been mentioned that they put the most into the 17 because he’s the future of the organization

[@noahcoleman5556]

I said at the beginning of the year: 1. Austin Cindric 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Kyle Larson 4. Tyler Reddick 5. Chase Elliott 6. Aric Almirola 7. Denny Hamlin 8. Ryan Blaney 9. Chase Briscoe 10. Kyle Busch 11. Martin Truex Jr 12. Christopher Bell 13. Joey Logano 14. William Byron 15. Kurt Busch 16. Alex Bowman I got 13/16 correct. I underestimated Trackhouse too, but I did say that Ross would come close. I had Kurt, but of course I did not think he would be injured. I did not have Austin Dillon in, and until it rained in turn 1 last week, I was looking good. Aric Almirola kind of let me down. And the only one who called Truex missing the Playoffs was Steve Letarte, lol.

[@grand_master_of_izalith7186]

I agree with the C. Bell point. I actually think if a JGR guy makes it he will be the one. (Also I'm very proud that my prediction that Truex would miss was accurate. Can't believe that happened)

[@mountain6215]

My preseason predictions had Briscoe and Cindric both winning at road courses to lock themselves in, Truex in because it's Martin Truex Jr, Austin out, Suarez out, Brad not making it

[@Xx_Draxxo_xX]

Still laugh at anyone who had Brad in the playoffs

[@RC-wb7od]

If you ever go to Vegas, be sure to have your return flight pre paid. LOL

[@xxtherevlukexx]

You were pretty dead on. I'm giving you Kurt. I'm still sad about him being out. I'm also shocked that MTJ didn't make it in. The luck the JGR cars have had all year has just been terrible. I mean I guess 5 wins (could have been a bunch more had they not consistently beat themselves) for Toyota isn't bad with only 6 cars in the field.

[@j.cbutterfly3293]

That’s 3 and half wrong except Kurt Busch who has won at Kansas, however, he got head concussions and he’s out of the playoffs through rest of the season. So that’s total of 13.5 out of 16, Eric!

[@kmart128]

I had same list as you except i had Cindric in and Dillon out. I said Cindric would steal a win and get in. Guess i was kinda right but Dillon also stole a win to get in

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

You was right on 14 out of 16

[@Vibrantatious]

14/16, missed Cindric and Briscoe for Kurt Busch and Truex

[@jeremyjoyce8637]

With what u said, makes me think Brad will win a race before the end of year. Lol

[@justinstein4712]

I wish the playoffs format had 2 wins to get in instead of 1 to make harder

[@RobertJohnson-ci5wx]

I AGREE!!

[@MarquisVegan]

I feel Bubba will make the playoffs next year also. Ions shot since he have no wins yet this year but the potential is definitely there.