BACK TO GALLERIES
2018 NASCAR.com Driver Draft
By | Published: April 23, 2018 27
NASCAR Creative Design
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NASCAR Creative Design
The three-day event known as the NFL Draft begins Thursday after months of coverage and fanfare. That got us at NASCAR.com thinking: What if drivers in all three national series were all made available to draft? What might a NASCAR 'draft board' look like? Would youth be prioritized over experience or vice versa? See our draft board to see which driver ended up No. 1. -- RJ Kraft
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Editor's Note: Voting was tabulated before Matt Kenseth announced his return; ballot consisted of drivers with a national series start in 2018. -- RJ
Past NASCAR.com Driver Drafts
2017: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2016: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2015: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2014: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
Past NASCAR.com Driver Drafts
2017: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2016: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2015: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
2014: NASCAR.com Driver Draft
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25. Cole Custer
2017: NR | 2016: NR | 2015: 25 | 2014: NR
Just 20 years old, Custer already has experience in parts of five seasons and made his Monster Energy Series debut earlier this year. He won last season’s Xfinity Series finale at Miami and is in the mix to be a title contender there. -- RJ
2017: NR | 2016: NR | 2015: 25 | 2014: NR
Just 20 years old, Custer already has experience in parts of five seasons and made his Monster Energy Series debut earlier this year. He won last season’s Xfinity Series finale at Miami and is in the mix to be a title contender there. -- RJ
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24. Ty Dillon
2017: 17 | 2016: 20 | 2015: 21 | 2014: 24
The younger Dillon brother had been slowly climbing the board. The 2018 season has been a sophomore slump especially after he talked plenty about the strides his Germain Racing team was taking. Even so, still a bit of upside here. -- RJ
2017: 17 | 2016: 20 | 2015: 21 | 2014: 24
The younger Dillon brother had been slowly climbing the board. The 2018 season has been a sophomore slump especially after he talked plenty about the strides his Germain Racing team was taking. Even so, still a bit of upside here. -- RJ
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23. Daniel Hemric
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
Hemric has steadily climbed the ladder -- currently fielding a Richard Childress Racing Xfinity entry and even making his Monster Energy Series debut last weekend. However, the 27-year-old has yet to win a national series race in 91 attempts. -- RJ
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
Hemric has steadily climbed the ladder -- currently fielding a Richard Childress Racing Xfinity entry and even making his Monster Energy Series debut last weekend. However, the 27-year-old has yet to win a national series race in 91 attempts. -- RJ
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22. Ryan Preece
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
Preece has a great story -- beyond that, he has two wins and an average finish of 3.9 in seven Xfinity Series races with Joe Gibbs Racing. He's like the small-school prospect who soars up the draft boards late in the process. -- Brad Norman
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
Preece has a great story -- beyond that, he has two wins and an average finish of 3.9 in seven Xfinity Series races with Joe Gibbs Racing. He's like the small-school prospect who soars up the draft boards late in the process. -- Brad Norman
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21. Kurt Busch
2017: 20 | 2016: 12 | 2015: 18 | 2014: 14
Busch has a championship pedigree as evidenced by his 2004 title and 29 career Monster Energy Series wins. However, just one multiple-win season since 2012 and an uncertain future factored in his spot on the board. -- RJ
2017: 20 | 2016: 12 | 2015: 18 | 2014: 14
Busch has a championship pedigree as evidenced by his 2004 title and 29 career Monster Energy Series wins. However, just one multiple-win season since 2012 and an uncertain future factored in his spot on the board. -- RJ
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20. Aric Almirola
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
After eight years at Richard Petty Motorsports, Almirola moved over to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2018 and has come out of the box strong, nearly winning the Daytona 500. That fast start is a big reason why he has entered the draft board. -- RJ
Not ranked in any of the past four drafts
After eight years at Richard Petty Motorsports, Almirola moved over to Stewart-Haas Racing for 2018 and has come out of the box strong, nearly winning the Daytona 500. That fast start is a big reason why he has entered the draft board. -- RJ
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19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
2017: NR | 2016: 18 | 2015: NR | 2014: 21
Coming off two restrictor-plate wins in 2017, Stenhouse jumps back onto the draft board. The 30-year-old broke through and made the Playoffs for the first time in ’17. He continues to grow as he enters the prime of his career. -- RJ
2017: NR | 2016: 18 | 2015: NR | 2014: 21
Coming off two restrictor-plate wins in 2017, Stenhouse jumps back onto the draft board. The 30-year-old broke through and made the Playoffs for the first time in ’17. He continues to grow as he enters the prime of his career. -- RJ
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18. Austin Dillon
2017: 16 | 2016: 11 | 2015: 20 | 2014: 13
Dillon has won two of the sport’s more prestigious races since the 2017 edition of the Driver Draft was published. So it's a little surprising to see him dip down slightly. Alas, the reason is similar to that of the next driver on the list. -- RJ
2017: 16 | 2016: 11 | 2015: 20 | 2014: 13
Dillon has won two of the sport’s more prestigious races since the 2017 edition of the Driver Draft was published. So it's a little surprising to see him dip down slightly. Alas, the reason is similar to that of the next driver on the list. -- RJ
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17. Daniel Suarez
2017: 13 | 2016: 17 | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Suarez's slip from last year is less about his on-track ability and more about there being an absolute logjam of young talent. As he continues to get acclimated and compete for wins, we expect him to creep back toward the top 10. -- BN
2017: 13 | 2016: 17 | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Suarez's slip from last year is less about his on-track ability and more about there being an absolute logjam of young talent. As he continues to get acclimated and compete for wins, we expect him to creep back toward the top 10. -- BN
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16. Darrell Wallace Jr.
2017: 24 | 2016: 23 | 2015: 13 | 2014: 19
Wallace makes one of the biggest jumps and for good reason. His previous ranks were more about projecting what he could do at the Monster Energy Series level. Now, we see it during his first year at Richard Petty Motorsports. -- BN
2017: 24 | 2016: 23 | 2015: 13 | 2014: 19
Wallace makes one of the biggest jumps and for good reason. His previous ranks were more about projecting what he could do at the Monster Energy Series level. Now, we see it during his first year at Richard Petty Motorsports. -- BN
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15. Alex Bowman
2017: 22 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Filling in for Dale Jr. as a substitute got Bowman on the draft board last year. Getting the full-time ride in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet bumped him into the top 15. Like so many others on this list, he should only get better. -- BN
2017: 22 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Filling in for Dale Jr. as a substitute got Bowman on the draft board last year. Getting the full-time ride in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet bumped him into the top 15. Like so many others on this list, he should only get better. -- BN
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14. Clint Bowyer
2017: 15 | 2016: NR | 2015: 22 | 2014: 17
Winning at Martinsville to snap a 190-race winless skid proves he can still win at NASCAR’s top level. Bowyer ranks in the top five this year in top 10s, laps led and average finish. His rank here is due to being in the prime of his career. -- BN
2017: 15 | 2016: NR | 2015: 22 | 2014: 17
Winning at Martinsville to snap a 190-race winless skid proves he can still win at NASCAR’s top level. Bowyer ranks in the top five this year in top 10s, laps led and average finish. His rank here is due to being in the prime of his career. -- BN
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13. Christopher Bell (1 first-place vote)
2017: 23 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
No driver was across the board as much as Bell. One member of our panel voted him No. 1 overall, he was ranked in the top five in multiple ballots, yet he ends up 13th. One thing is for sure: He has the look of the next big thing in NASCAR. -- BN
2017: 23 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
No driver was across the board as much as Bell. One member of our panel voted him No. 1 overall, he was ranked in the top five in multiple ballots, yet he ends up 13th. One thing is for sure: He has the look of the next big thing in NASCAR. -- BN
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12. Denny Hamlin
2017: 11 | 2016: 7 | 2015: 10 | 2014: 12
Hamlin has been ranked pretty consistently over the five years we’ve done this project. The No. 12 spot is tied for his worst position, which says a lot because being ranked 12th is pretty good. The slip is likely due to his advancing age. -- BN
2017: 11 | 2016: 7 | 2015: 10 | 2014: 12
Hamlin has been ranked pretty consistently over the five years we’ve done this project. The No. 12 spot is tied for his worst position, which says a lot because being ranked 12th is pretty good. The slip is likely due to his advancing age. -- BN
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11. Jimmie Johnson
2017: 6 | 2016: 2 | 2015: 2 | 2014: 1
Clearly nearing the end of his career, there’s still plenty to love about the 42-year-old. Namely, he has a few cracks yet at winning his eighth title, which no driver has ever done before. That alone is justification for a high spot. -- BN
2017: 6 | 2016: 2 | 2015: 2 | 2014: 1
Clearly nearing the end of his career, there’s still plenty to love about the 42-year-old. Namely, he has a few cracks yet at winning his eighth title, which no driver has ever done before. That alone is justification for a high spot. -- BN
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10. William Byron
2017: 14 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Byron has had an epic rise into the sport’s top series with 11 national series wins and a Xfinity Series championship to boot all before he turns 21. His immense potential and longevity in racing have him moving up the draft board. -- RJ
2017: 14 | 2016: NR | 2015: NR | 2014: NR
Byron has had an epic rise into the sport’s top series with 11 national series wins and a Xfinity Series championship to boot all before he turns 21. His immense potential and longevity in racing have him moving up the draft board. -- RJ
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9. Chase Elliott
2017: 2 | 2016: 6 | 2015: 6 | 2014: 8
Much like his eight Monster Energy Series runnerups, Elliott was oh-so-close to the top spot last year. The slip down the board is attributed to one thing – a lack of a premier series wins. We remain confident those are coming soon. -- RJ
2017: 2 | 2016: 6 | 2015: 6 | 2014: 8
Much like his eight Monster Energy Series runnerups, Elliott was oh-so-close to the top spot last year. The slip down the board is attributed to one thing – a lack of a premier series wins. We remain confident those are coming soon. -- RJ
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8. Kevin Harvick
2017: 8 | 2016: 4 | 2015: 4 | 2014: 6
Harvick is holding steady despite three wins in a row early in 2018. The veteran most certainly remains a title contender -- if not one of the favorites. Turning 43 in December, our panel likely wonders how much more he's got. -- RJ
2017: 8 | 2016: 4 | 2015: 4 | 2014: 6
Harvick is holding steady despite three wins in a row early in 2018. The veteran most certainly remains a title contender -- if not one of the favorites. Turning 43 in December, our panel likely wonders how much more he's got. -- RJ
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7. Erik Jones (1 first-place vote)
2017: 10 | 2016: 14 | 2015: 8 | 2014: NR
Jones is knocking on the door of that first Monster Energy Series win, but in the meantime he has racked up 16 NASCAR national series wins since 2013. The one first-place vote is indicative of where the 21-year-old is heading: up. -- RJ
2017: 10 | 2016: 14 | 2015: 8 | 2014: NR
Jones is knocking on the door of that first Monster Energy Series win, but in the meantime he has racked up 16 NASCAR national series wins since 2013. The one first-place vote is indicative of where the 21-year-old is heading: up. -- RJ
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6. Martin Truex Jr.
2017: 9 | 2016: 13 | 2015: 16 | 2014: NR
Truex’s climb up our draft board coincides with his rise at Furniture Row Racing, culminating with the 2017 Monster Energy Series championship. The New Jersey native shows no signs of slowing and a repeat could see him move up in ’19. -- RJ
2017: 9 | 2016: 13 | 2015: 16 | 2014: NR
Truex’s climb up our draft board coincides with his rise at Furniture Row Racing, culminating with the 2017 Monster Energy Series championship. The New Jersey native shows no signs of slowing and a repeat could see him move up in ’19. -- RJ
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5. Brad Keselowski
2017: 5 | 2016: 5 | 2015: 3 | 2014: 4
The 2012 Monster Energy Series champion has been holding steady at this spot for three years. The Michigan native has the ability to win anywhere and is now THE driver on plate tracks. His title window remains wide open. -- RJ
2017: 5 | 2016: 5 | 2015: 3 | 2014: 4
The 2012 Monster Energy Series champion has been holding steady at this spot for three years. The Michigan native has the ability to win anywhere and is now THE driver on plate tracks. His title window remains wide open. -- RJ
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4. Joey Logano
2017: 3 | 2016: 3 | 2015: 1 | 2014: 3
Think it’s surprising to see Logano drop only one spot after his worst Penske season? Just look at the early results of 2018. “Sliced Bread” has 18 career Monster Energy Series wins and at 27 years old has plenty of time to grab more. -- RJ
2017: 3 | 2016: 3 | 2015: 1 | 2014: 3
Think it’s surprising to see Logano drop only one spot after his worst Penske season? Just look at the early results of 2018. “Sliced Bread” has 18 career Monster Energy Series wins and at 27 years old has plenty of time to grab more. -- RJ
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3. Ryan Blaney
2017: 7 | 2016: 9 | 2015: 17 | 2014: 18
Blaney has made a steady climb up the board with the latest jump coinciding with his move to Team Penske’s third car. The 24-year-old notched his first Monster Energy Series win last year at Pocono and there are many more. -- RJ
2017: 7 | 2016: 9 | 2015: 17 | 2014: 18
Blaney has made a steady climb up the board with the latest jump coinciding with his move to Team Penske’s third car. The 24-year-old notched his first Monster Energy Series win last year at Pocono and there are many more. -- RJ
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2. Kyle Larson
2017: 1 | 2016: 15 | 2015: 5 | 2014: 5
Despite slipping one spot, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver had a breakout 2017 with four victories in the Monster Energy Series. At 25 and contending for victories regularly, Larson is the face of NASCAR’s burgeoning youth movement. -- RJ
2017: 1 | 2016: 15 | 2015: 5 | 2014: 5
Despite slipping one spot, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver had a breakout 2017 with four victories in the Monster Energy Series. At 25 and contending for victories regularly, Larson is the face of NASCAR’s burgeoning youth movement. -- RJ
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1. Kyle Busch (9 first-place votes)
2017: 4 | 2016: 1 | 2015: 7 | 2014: 2
The 2015 champ is in his prime as evidenced by the 32-year-old’s current three-race win streak entering Talladega. He is getting closer to Richard Petty’s mark of 200 national series wins and surely will add another title to his resume. -- RJ
2017: 4 | 2016: 1 | 2015: 7 | 2014: 2
The 2015 champ is in his prime as evidenced by the 32-year-old’s current three-race win streak entering Talladega. He is getting closer to Richard Petty’s mark of 200 national series wins and surely will add another title to his resume. -- RJ