Random Playoff Power Rankings: Best Drafting Partner

It's Talladega week, which means while you're racing in a swarm of 200-mph competitors, it's a good idea to have at least one friend out there. You don't want somebody prone to get caught up in the Big One, and you don't want somebody who's going to win and make you look like a chump. Here's how the Round of 12 drivers would stack up if we had to choose the perfect drafting partner for 500 miles of mayhem at Talladega.

Sure, Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in wins at Talladega with an impressive five victories, but that's exactly why he would make a terrible drafting partner. He'd win the race himself and steal all the glory.

Even though he's one of the Big 3, MTJ has a downright horrendous track record at Talladega. In 27 races, he has just two top-fives, 52 laps led out of a possible 5,137, and he's had 13 DNFs -- including the past four races. No, thanks.

Tying teammate Kurt Busch with a series-high 35 career starts at Talladega, Kevin Harvick's got the most experience in the draft. The only problem with picking Harvick as a drafting partner is you might end up losing him amidst all the shuffle, only for someone else to ask, "Where did he come from?"

"Larson, ninth? Is this some sort of joke?" Well, technically, yes. At least you’re not looking for a drafting partner at Daytona, where Kyle Larson has crashed out of five of his 10 races.

It's hard to pick the popular Ryan Blaney as a drafting partner at Talladega. Everybody else is following him for autographs and selfies. Get in line.

Judging by the antics typically shared in his tweets, it seems it's questionable to follow Bowyer's lead on anything -- though you might have some fun along the way. Follow at your own risk.

Aside from teammate Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano boasts the most impressive resume in the field with three wins at Talladega. He's also led laps in the past six 'Dega races, meaning it might be tough to keep up with the No. 22. It's like how if you're trying to look more attractive, you don't hang out with people who are better looking than you. Same concept: You'll look faster if your drafting partner isn't running away with the race like Logano tends to do.

With four consecutive top-10 finishes at Talladega, it's hard to go wrong drafting with Aric Almirola -- although he needs a win to stay alive in the Round of 12. Plus, if you stay on his good side, he'll probably send a ham for the holiday season.

Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing 10 years ago, Kyle Busch has only failed to finish two races at Talladega (Spring 2011 and Fall 2017) — that's some solid reliability in an unpredictable place like Talladega. Plus, it's easy to keep tabs on the most colorful car on the track.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Alex Bowman's predecessor, was often called the "Pied Piper of restrictor plate racing." Surely, there are drivers in the draft who might instinctively follow their old habits and help push the No. 88 car to the front, thus making Bowman a surprisingly good drafting partner.

A nearly 97 percent laps-completion rate at Talladega means Chase Elliott knows how to stay out of trouble -- until late, at least -- making him a prime candidate for a drafting partner. Coming off a fresh win at Dover means momentum, too. Plus, he's got that Elliott DNA.

At Talladega, the 2004 series champ has scored the most top-five finishes of any active driver without a win. If you think about it, that's exactly what you want in a drafting partner. Somebody to help you stay in the mix without stealing the glory of a victory themselves. Kurt Busch is the perfect drafting partner.