<!–>
–>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It seemed like an easy assignment for NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers Wednesday.
Before they answered some on-camera questions from FOX Sports, we gave them a sheet of paper with five questions. We told them we wouldn’t identify who said what.
We wanted to learn who they thought might have a career-defining playoffs, whether they looked forward to the new playoff tracks on the schedule, their thoughts on the championship format for the playoffs and whether they’d run the Indy 500.
All 16 playoff drivers filled out the forms and some gave commentary. But not all drivers answered every question. Here are the results.
1. Which driver is most likely to win his first championship (any playoff driver except Logano, Larson, Elliott, Blaney)?
5 votes – William Byron
3 – Denny Hamlin
2 – Christopher Bell
1 – Austin Dillon, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, “Me”
(two left it blank, one put down two drivers)
That’s right, they picked William Byron as the most likely winner among the 12 who have never won the title. That’s no real surprise. Byron is making his seventh consecutive playoff appearance, has reached the Champ 4 the last two years and won the regular-season title this year.
Hamlin has made the postseason every year except once and will make his 19th appearance this year. He has made the Champ 4 four times.
Should we have told the drivers they couldn’t pick themselves? Probably. But we also know that drivers just can’t pick someone to do better than they will do.
As one driver put it as he was filling it out “[If I put] me, it’s anonymous. So good luck [finding out].”
Will this be the year Denny Hamlin captures the title? <!–>
–>
2. Will SVG win the Roval?
8 – Yes
7 – No
1 – No Answer
Shane van Gisbergen has won the past four road-course races this year, so he will be the natural favorite for the race on the Charlotte road course.
“I would love to put “No” on the SVG question, but I don’t see it happening,” said one driver. “I don’t see him losing.”
We did ask van Gisbergen on the record if he felt he would win that race.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t ever think like that. But we certainly have a decent chance.”
Shane Van Gisbergen looks to continue his road course dominance in the playoffs. <!–>
–>
ADVERTISEMENT
3. Are you looking forward to these new playoff tracks being playoff tracks?
Gateway
13 – Yes
3 – No
Loudon (New Hampshire)
10 – Yes
6 – No
Drivers who are fans of shorter tracks probably are happy to see the 1.25-mile World Wide Technology Raceway (commonly known as Gateway) and the 1.058-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon) on the playoff schedule.
And as one driver put it, “I like all tracks.”
Of course, if a driver had won at one of those tracks, it might skew their opinion.
“They were great additions to the schedule because those are real racetracks where drivers and teams can control their own destiny,” said Christopher Bell, the defending winner at Loudon.
Gateway is a new addition to the Cup playoffs this year. <!–>
–>
4. How many races should be in the final round to determine a champion (and you can say 36 if you don’t want any playoffs)?
5 votes – 3
4 votes – 36
2 votes – 10
2 votes – 1
1 vote – 3-5
1 vote – 4
1 vote – 6
This one had quite the variety of answers. And as you can see, a quarter of the playoff field wishes there was no such thing as playoffs.
“I really think there should just be 20 races total,” said one driver. Most other series run 17-25 race seasons.
One driver who answered three said he answered three because “3 for Dale,” a reference to Dale Earnhardt.
Should NASCAR change the championship format is a hotly contested topic. <!–>
–>
5. If you had the chance, would you race the Indy 500?
8 – Yes
8 – No
One driver asked, “Do I get to pick the car?” and we said yes he does, as if he had the chance in the car he preferred. Man, some of those drivers are picky!
But one of the drivers had an interesting comment: “Can I start-and-park?” That driver knows that just starting the Indy 500 would be an incredible thing to experience.
Might any other drivers join Kyle Larson as an Indy 500 participant? <!–>
–>
[Read more: NASCAR Playoff Rankings: Which Drivers Have Best Shot At Title, From 1 to 16]
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
What did you think of this story?
recommended
Get more from the NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Tyreek Hill absent from Dolphins’ 2025 team captain list after tumultuous end to last season
For the first time in his Miami Dolphins career, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill is not a team captain. The Dolphins announced a six-man group of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, center Aaron Brewer, defensive tackle Zach Sieler and edge rusher Bradley Chubb as their captains for the 2025 season. Hill's omission comes after a rough end to 2024 when the veteran wideout sparked questions about his future with the team.Hill seemingly took himself out of the Dolphins' 2024 finale in the third quarter and indicated after the game that he would seek opportunities to play elsewhere when he said, "I'm out." Missing the playoffs for the first time in his career did not sit well with Hill, but after the uncertainty about his intentions for 2025, he remains on the Miami roster for a fourth […]
Clarification of the private conversation between Deion Sanders’ ex and his alleged current girlfriend
Deion Sanders finds himself once again under public scrutiny as dating rumors swirl between him and actress-model Karrueche Tran. The speculation was ignited by deeply moving footage in a video documentary where Tran is seen tearfully supporting Sanders during his hospital stay for bladder cancer. Her emotional presence at his bedside stirred intense interest in the nature of their connection.Before the rumors became mainstream, Tracey Edmonds-Sanders' ex-fiancée of nearly 12 years-privately confronted Tran about the murmurings. According to long-time friend Claudia Jordan, Edmonds asked Tran directly, "Are you dating Deion?" Tran reportedly laughed off the inquiry and replied, "No."Since then, neither Sanders nor Tran has publicly confirmed or denied their relationship. Sanders deflected questions about the matter by joking about a "bad connection" during a podcast interview, keeping the situation shrouded in ambiguity.Privacy, speculation and denialsDespite the public intrigue, Claudia […]
Florentino ruma à Premier League e reforça Burnley: Benfica vai receber 24M€ com a venda
Médio segue para Inglaterra ©IMAGO Já é oficial: Florentino está de saída do Benfica. Nesta segunda-feira, o jogador, de 26 anos, foi anunciado como reforço do Burnley, que garantiu a sua contratação por empréstimo até ao final da época a troco de 2 milhões de euros. O clube inglês, no entanto, está obrigado a acionar uma cláusula de compra para adquirir o médio em definitivo até ao fim de 2025/26, no valor de 24 milhões de euros.Produto da formação encarnada, Florentino realizou um total de 182 encontros oficiais pela equipa principal do Benfica, tendo marcado quatro golos e feito cinco assistências. Prepara-se, agora, para deixar a Luz em definitivo, ele que já tinha sido cedido aos franceses do Monaco, em 2020/21, e aos espanhóis do Getafe, na temporada seguinte.Florentino deixa o Benfica na sequência das contratações, neste verão, de Richard […]
Florentino ruma à Premier League e reforça Burnley: Benfica vai receber 24M€ com a venda
Médio segue para Inglaterra ©IMAGO Já é oficial: Florentino está de saída do Benfica. Nesta segunda-feira, o jogador, de 26 anos, foi anunciado como reforço do Burnley, que garantiu a sua contratação por empréstimo até ao final da época a troco de 2 milhões de euros. O clube inglês, no entanto, está obrigado a acionar uma cláusula de compra para adquirir o médio em definitivo até ao fim de 2025/26, no valor de 24 milhões de euros.Produto da formação encarnada, Florentino realizou um total de 182 encontros oficiais pela equipa principal do Benfica, tendo marcado quatro golos e feito cinco assistências. Prepara-se, agora, para deixar a Luz em definitivo, ele que já tinha sido cedido aos franceses do Monaco, em 2020/21, e aos espanhóis do Getafe, na temporada seguinte.Florentino deixa o Benfica na sequência das contratações, neste verão, de Richard […]
FSU Freshman Linebacker Ethan Pritchard in Intensive Care After Shooting
A Florida State linebacker is in critical but stable condition after being shot while visiting family, the Seminoles said Monday.Ethan Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, was in intensive care at a Tallahassee-area hospital. He was shot Sunday evening while inside a vehicle outside apartments in Havana, according to the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office."The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time," FSU said in a statement. "Further updates will be provided as they are available."Pritchard did not play in Florida State's season opener, a 31-17 victory Saturday over No. 8 Alabama in Tallahassee.Reporting by The Associated Press. What did you think of this story? recommended Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right […]
Ex-Internacional, Thiago Galhardo relembra esforço para ser convocado e responde Denilson: “Fiz o dobro de gols dele”
Galhardo em treino do Internacional - Foto: Ricardo Duarte/DivulgaçãoVivendo uma fase diferente na carreira encarando a Série D nacional pelo Santa Cruz, Thiago Galhardo reapareceu na imprensa com entrevista à ESPN Brasil, onde explicou o que pensa sobre a Seleção Brasileira, relembrou a sua única convocação em 2020 pelo Internacional e ainda respondeu o ex-jogador e comentarista Denilson. Isso porque, no começo deste ano, Galhardo foi até ironizado por ter dito, ao “Abre Aspas”, do GE, que “as pessoas queriam que eu voltasse para a seleção, mas ninguém perguntou se o Thiago queria voltar para a seleção”. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE“Galhardo, também te amo, mas jogar uma pela Seleção e entender que foram quatro dias e não querer voltar mais…”, disse Denilson, aos risos, na época, durante a programação do SporTV ao lado de André Rizek e outros nomes.Nesta nova entrevista, Galhardo […]
Related
Tyreek Hill absent from Dolphins’ 2025 team captain list after tumultuous end to last season
For the first time in his Miami Dolphins career, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill is not a team captain. The Dolphins announced a six-man group of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, center Aaron Brewer, defensive tackle Zach Sieler and edge rusher Bradley Chubb as their captains for the 2025 season. Hill's omission comes after a rough end to 2024 when the veteran wideout sparked questions about his future with the team.Hill seemingly took himself out of the Dolphins' 2024 finale in the third quarter and indicated after the game that he would seek opportunities to play elsewhere when he said, "I'm out." Missing the playoffs for the first time in his career did not sit well with Hill, but after the uncertainty about his intentions for 2025, he remains on the Miami roster for a fourth […]
Clarification of the private conversation between Deion Sanders’ ex and his alleged current girlfriend
Deion Sanders finds himself once again under public scrutiny as dating rumors swirl between him and actress-model Karrueche Tran. The speculation was ignited by deeply moving footage in a video documentary where Tran is seen tearfully supporting Sanders during his hospital stay for bladder cancer. Her emotional presence at his bedside stirred intense interest in the nature of their connection.Before the rumors became mainstream, Tracey Edmonds-Sanders' ex-fiancée of nearly 12 years-privately confronted Tran about the murmurings. According to long-time friend Claudia Jordan, Edmonds asked Tran directly, "Are you dating Deion?" Tran reportedly laughed off the inquiry and replied, "No."Since then, neither Sanders nor Tran has publicly confirmed or denied their relationship. Sanders deflected questions about the matter by joking about a "bad connection" during a podcast interview, keeping the situation shrouded in ambiguity.Privacy, speculation and denialsDespite the public intrigue, Claudia […]
Florentino ruma à Premier League e reforça Burnley: Benfica vai receber 24M€ com a venda
Médio segue para Inglaterra ©IMAGO Já é oficial: Florentino está de saída do Benfica. Nesta segunda-feira, o jogador, de 26 anos, foi anunciado como reforço do Burnley, que garantiu a sua contratação por empréstimo até ao final da época a troco de 2 milhões de euros. O clube inglês, no entanto, está obrigado a acionar uma cláusula de compra para adquirir o médio em definitivo até ao fim de 2025/26, no valor de 24 milhões de euros.Produto da formação encarnada, Florentino realizou um total de 182 encontros oficiais pela equipa principal do Benfica, tendo marcado quatro golos e feito cinco assistências. Prepara-se, agora, para deixar a Luz em definitivo, ele que já tinha sido cedido aos franceses do Monaco, em 2020/21, e aos espanhóis do Getafe, na temporada seguinte.Florentino deixa o Benfica na sequência das contratações, neste verão, de Richard […]
Florentino ruma à Premier League e reforça Burnley: Benfica vai receber 24M€ com a venda
Médio segue para Inglaterra ©IMAGO Já é oficial: Florentino está de saída do Benfica. Nesta segunda-feira, o jogador, de 26 anos, foi anunciado como reforço do Burnley, que garantiu a sua contratação por empréstimo até ao final da época a troco de 2 milhões de euros. O clube inglês, no entanto, está obrigado a acionar uma cláusula de compra para adquirir o médio em definitivo até ao fim de 2025/26, no valor de 24 milhões de euros.Produto da formação encarnada, Florentino realizou um total de 182 encontros oficiais pela equipa principal do Benfica, tendo marcado quatro golos e feito cinco assistências. Prepara-se, agora, para deixar a Luz em definitivo, ele que já tinha sido cedido aos franceses do Monaco, em 2020/21, e aos espanhóis do Getafe, na temporada seguinte.Florentino deixa o Benfica na sequência das contratações, neste verão, de Richard […]
FSU Freshman Linebacker Ethan Pritchard in Intensive Care After Shooting
A Florida State linebacker is in critical but stable condition after being shot while visiting family, the Seminoles said Monday.Ethan Pritchard, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound freshman from Sanford, was in intensive care at a Tallahassee-area hospital. He was shot Sunday evening while inside a vehicle outside apartments in Havana, according to the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office."The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals, and asks that their privacy be respected at this time," FSU said in a statement. "Further updates will be provided as they are available."Pritchard did not play in Florida State's season opener, a 31-17 victory Saturday over No. 8 Alabama in Tallahassee.Reporting by The Associated Press. What did you think of this story? recommended Arrow pointing to the leftArrow pointing to the right […]
Ex-Internacional, Thiago Galhardo relembra esforço para ser convocado e responde Denilson: “Fiz o dobro de gols dele”
Galhardo em treino do Internacional - Foto: Ricardo Duarte/DivulgaçãoVivendo uma fase diferente na carreira encarando a Série D nacional pelo Santa Cruz, Thiago Galhardo reapareceu na imprensa com entrevista à ESPN Brasil, onde explicou o que pensa sobre a Seleção Brasileira, relembrou a sua única convocação em 2020 pelo Internacional e ainda respondeu o ex-jogador e comentarista Denilson. Isso porque, no começo deste ano, Galhardo foi até ironizado por ter dito, ao “Abre Aspas”, do GE, que “as pessoas queriam que eu voltasse para a seleção, mas ninguém perguntou se o Thiago queria voltar para a seleção”. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE“Galhardo, também te amo, mas jogar uma pela Seleção e entender que foram quatro dias e não querer voltar mais…”, disse Denilson, aos risos, na época, durante a programação do SporTV ao lado de André Rizek e outros nomes.Nesta nova entrevista, Galhardo […]
Be the first to leave a comment