We have seen a sample over the primary three years of NASCAR’s annual preseason query contest.
Every season so far has turn out to be progressively extra unpredictable. in 2022for instance, virtually 1 / 4 of respondents didn’t obtain Not linked Appropriate reply out of 5 questions. Greater than two-thirds of the contributors didn’t get two right solutions. Solely a few gamers (out of 272) have had a minimum of three, together with winner Craig Swicki (who was declared champion with a rating of three.5).
How will we work collectively this yr? Do you suppose you may have what it takes to affix our listing of winners? Learn the questions under, then click on the hyperlink to fill out the shape or go away your solutions within the feedback part.
1. Who has a greater season: Kyle Bosh or Tyler Reddick?
The largest driver strikes in 2022 noticed Kyle Busch go away Joe Gibbs Racing to affix Richard Childress Racing and Tyler Reddick go away RCR a yr early for 23XI Racing.
First, let’s take a look at their stats from final yr – the season the drivers completed subsequent to one another within the standings (Bosch thirteenth, Riddick 14th):
- Wins: Riddick 3, Bosch 1
- prime 5: Riddick 10, Bosch 8
- prime ten: Bosch 17, Riddick 15
- led windings: Bosch 627, Riddick 503
- common end: Bosch 16.7, Riddick 17.6
Busch is shifting to Reddick’s outdated automobile (along with his outdated group), which was clearly able to profitable races in 2022. Reddick received the No. 45 automobile, which was credited with two wins (a sweep of Kansas between Kurt Busch and Bubba Wallace) – however He truly has one victory with the precise group (since Wallace’s #23 moved him to 45 within the playoffs).
So here is your problem: as a substitute of merely answering who will win extra races or who may have a greater common consequence, the query is Which driver may have the aggressive benefit within the above 5 classes?
To recap, that is it: wins, prime 5, prime 10, laps led and a mediocre end. Since it’s attainable for them to have the identical quantity in a single class and divide the opposite 4, we’ll want a tie breaker. On this case, will probably be whoever ranks larger within the final season’s standings.
Appropriate reply offers you 1 level.
2. How did Kevin Harvick fare in his senior yr?
We’ll say Completely satisfied Trails to Completely satisfied Harvick on the conclusion of the 2023 Cup Sequence season, however we’re getting one other probability to see how this future Corridor-of-Famer can carry out throughout a full-time marketing campaign in a great automobile.
Whereas it is tempting to suppose Harvick will seem like his traditional self – he did get previous a winless 2021 by profitable two races final summer time, in spite of everything – there are a number of different components to contemplate.
Apart from the 2 victories, Harvick had his worst season statistically since becoming a member of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. This consists of fewest prime fives, most 10 laps, lead (solely 119, the worst of his profession) and common end ( worst since 2009).
Maybe a part of that may be attributed to the overall lack of success of SHR. However Harvick turned 47 final month, and nobody can outrun time endlessly.
So how will Harvick fare in his twenty third season of the Cup Sequence? You get 1 level when you appropriately predict how far he’ll go within the playoffs: Spherical of 16, Spherical of 12, Spherical of 8, Event 4 or miss the playoffs altogether.
3. Who will drive the No. 4 automobile in 2024?
Harvick, Rodney Childers and their group have made the No. 4 automobile the very best incomes automobile since becoming a member of SHR in 2014. As of 2023, Harvick has scored 37 victories over that point – 5 greater than the closest driver/automobile combo (Kyle Busch has 32 victories within the No. 18) .
As of this writing, we do not know for positive if Childers, the crew or current sponsors will go on to switch Harvick. In the event that they did, it could be fairly a gorgeous seat. And Harvick made the 4 a fascinating touchdown spot both manner.
One downside is that plenty of marquee free brokers from latest years are already off the desk. Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Reddick signed elsewhere whereas the SHR group was absent. This yr’s free agent crop may embrace Ross Chastain, Eric Jones and Alex Bowman.
If these drivers keep the place they’re, who stays? Will Ryan Preece do effectively sufficient within the No. 41 SHR this yr for the group to push him into the fourth automobile? Will Cole Custer have an enormous Xfinity Sequence season and present he deserves one other shot on the Cup?
It is arduous to take a seat right here and predict what is going on to occur, however that is why this query is on the listing: For one level, Who will change Harvick for the 2024 season?
4. Will parity proceed?
The Subsequent Technology automobile’s first season produced 19 completely different winners in a single season. How uncommon was it? A complete of 19 completely different drivers going to victory lane in the identical yr has solely occurred once more prior to now 60 years (in 2001).
And that does not even embrace Ryan Blaney profitable the Texas All-Star Race.
So what about 2023? The subsequent technology automobile can proceed on the identical observe, with a wide range of drivers profitable races and solely requiring a win to make the playoffs. Or perhaps the normal powerhouse groups will discover some areas to realize benefits and thus seize a great portion of the winnings once more.
the query: What number of completely different race winners will there be in 2023? Nailing the precise quantity is difficult, so that you get 1 level for predicting it on the nostril and 1/2 level for only one quantity.
5. Who’s the lock for Event 4?
This can be a often requested query from final yr’s listing, however I actually preferred it after seeing the outcomes. Solely 18 % of gamers get the correct lock, which is smart when you think about that Ross Chastain and Christopher Bell made it to the Ultimate 4. Final champion Joey Logano was solely the eighth driver chosen as a ‘lock’, which as soon as once more speaks to the unpredictable nature of the season.
Maybe it could be simpler this time round if drivers like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott or Denny Hamlin made the championship spherical. However… in all probability not! who are you aware
for one level, Title one driver who you suppose will win the championship 4.
essential be aware: There are two methods to submit your vote this yr. You may both Click on right here to search out a simple kind to fill out (Which is my favourite, because it’s a lot simpler than sorting 300ish entries manually) Or just write your solutions within the feedback part under (however please do not do each!).
If you happen to select to jot down your solutions within the feedback part, please copy and paste this format:
1. Bosch or Riddick:
2. How far does Harvick go?
3. Who replaces Harvick:
4. Variety of completely different winners:
5. Lockdown Event 4:
(Photograph: Meg Oliphant/Getty Pictures)