5 Bold Predictions for the 2019 NASCAR Season

We find ourselves on the cusp of a new season and with the green flag at Daytona comes a myriad of possibilities. Will we see more of the same from names like Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr or we see either a quick or slow drop from one of them? Will we see a new contender arise? Who among the new drivers is the next up and comer? The moment they rev up that world becomes a reality and we get to sit back and take in its glory.

Here are my bold predictions for this season of NASCAR:

Aric Almirola has as many wins in 2019 as he’s had in his entire career thus far

Justification: He finished 5^th last year in total points and had his 2^nd win of his career at Talladega. In addition to this he as in the top ten 15 times and really pushed hard down the stretch in a number of races. I think he wows some people this season as one of the elites.

Matt Kenseth races in at least 20 races this year

Justification: The once retired unreturned NASCAR racers futures is uncertain by Trevor Bayne was not resigned by Roush Fenway opening one potential path back to the circuit there. IF that falters I feel like someone else might get demoted or hurt and Matt seems like Free Agent number one these days. .

Erik Jones finishes in the top 10

Justification: Daniel Suarez and Erik Jones were nearly neck and neck their rookie year taking turns with top 15 finishes but Erik took the sizeable step forward last year first with a win during the second Daytona race, then by making the playoffs where he had four top ten finishes across 10 playoff races.

A rookie wins a race for the first time since Chris Buescher won in 2016

Justification: The most likely candidate is Daniel Hemric to me. He had Thirteen top three finishes last year in the Xfinity Series. I am excited for the group of rookies who along with Daniel include Ryan Preece, Quin Houff and Matt Tifft. Quin appears to be the least seasoned of the group but that doesn’t mean he can’t make quick adjustments.

At least two of last years final four do NOT repeat a trip to the final four this year.

Justification: Last year was so chalk I believe we see a strong push in the opposite direction this year. It seemed as if 2 months into last year I could have predicted Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. The playoffs usually allow some dark horse contender to step into one of those four spots and instead we saw more of the same. This isn’t to say it wasn’t wildly entertaining between the resurgence of Harvick, the always dominant Busch and the rivalry that became Martin vs. Joey. What’s more, how crazy to have them literally finish the final race 1,2,3,4!! If I had to guess who steps in, I think Chase Elliott, Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson make strong pushes.

Daytona is just days away, drivers, start your engines!