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Power Rankings: 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season lookahead
By Pat DeCola | Published: November 19, 2019 26
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Ty Dillon
Rank: 25
Comment: Dillon and Germain Racing unquestionably improved in 2019, albeit incrementally. Still, it's the right direction and we expect Dillon to hang around the top 20 more consistently next season.
Rank: 25
Comment: Dillon and Germain Racing unquestionably improved in 2019, albeit incrementally. Still, it's the right direction and we expect Dillon to hang around the top 20 more consistently next season.
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Driver: Tyler Reddick
Rank: 24
Comment: This almost feels too low, given how dominant Reddick looked in his Xfinity Series title defenset. The talent is obviously there. Consider this ranking (and the next one) more a question of where Richard Childress Racing stands competition wise in 2020 than the driver himself. He certainly is capable of rising.
Rank: 24
Comment: This almost feels too low, given how dominant Reddick looked in his Xfinity Series title defenset. The talent is obviously there. Consider this ranking (and the next one) more a question of where Richard Childress Racing stands competition wise in 2020 than the driver himself. He certainly is capable of rising.
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Driver: Austin Dillon
Rank: 23
Comment: Like Reddick, Dillon's ranking has more to do with questions surrounding RCR, a team that obviously succeeds at the Xfinity Series level but hasn't found firm footing in the Cup Series lately. This season broke a string of two straight campaigns with wins for AD while marking his worst points finish since 2015.
Rank: 23
Comment: Like Reddick, Dillon's ranking has more to do with questions surrounding RCR, a team that obviously succeeds at the Xfinity Series level but hasn't found firm footing in the Cup Series lately. This season broke a string of two straight campaigns with wins for AD while marking his worst points finish since 2015.
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Driver: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Rank: 22
Comment: Stenhouse is a question mark heading into next season. He's moving from one-time powerhouse Roush Fenway Racing to the smaller JTG Daugherty Racing, though his talent and the gritty nature of his new digs could spark a potential dark horse playoff run.
Rank: 22
Comment: Stenhouse is a question mark heading into next season. He's moving from one-time powerhouse Roush Fenway Racing to the smaller JTG Daugherty Racing, though his talent and the gritty nature of his new digs could spark a potential dark horse playoff run.
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Driver: Cole Custer
Rank: 21
Comment: Next season will see the most talented rookie class in years, and Custer might have the best car under him of the lot as of this writing. Moving directly to one of the Cup Series' top two teams in Stewart-Haas Racing is a dream come true -- but also create a great deal of pressure.
Rank: 21
Comment: Next season will see the most talented rookie class in years, and Custer might have the best car under him of the lot as of this writing. Moving directly to one of the Cup Series' top two teams in Stewart-Haas Racing is a dream come true -- but also create a great deal of pressure.
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Driver: Christopher Bell
Rank: 20
Comment: Bell was a tough one to rank. Though he came up short in his quest for an Xfinity Series title, he's arguably the top prospect coming into the Cup Series. The main question remains whether the No. 95 Toyota will have the performance of a 2019 Joe Gibbs Racing alliance (where Matt DiBendetto piloted the ride to a 22nd-place points finish) or 2017 Furniture Row Racing (where Martin Truex Jr. beat JGR cars on his way to a title). I think we'll see more of the latter, making Bell a dark horse playoff candidate -- at worst.
Rank: 20
Comment: Bell was a tough one to rank. Though he came up short in his quest for an Xfinity Series title, he's arguably the top prospect coming into the Cup Series. The main question remains whether the No. 95 Toyota will have the performance of a 2019 Joe Gibbs Racing alliance (where Matt DiBendetto piloted the ride to a 22nd-place points finish) or 2017 Furniture Row Racing (where Martin Truex Jr. beat JGR cars on his way to a title). I think we'll see more of the latter, making Bell a dark horse playoff candidate -- at worst.
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Driver: Matt DiBenedetto
Rank: 19
Comment: This year was a huge positive for DiBenedetto, as you'd have a hard time finding a career stat he didn't best in 2019. His stay at Leavine Family Racing was brief, but potentially greener pastures await at the Team Penske-aligned Wood Brothers Racing. Keep an eye on him next season.
Rank: 19
Comment: This year was a huge positive for DiBenedetto, as you'd have a hard time finding a career stat he didn't best in 2019. His stay at Leavine Family Racing was brief, but potentially greener pastures await at the Team Penske-aligned Wood Brothers Racing. Keep an eye on him next season.
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Driver: Chris Buescher
Rank: 18
Comment: Another under-the-radar driver to keep an eye on, Buescher will return to his roots at Roush, a team that looks to be on the rise. After several underwhelming years with Stenhouse and Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman seems to have brought the winds of change to the once-prominent organization, and Buescher should be a big part of that next year.
Rank: 18
Comment: Another under-the-radar driver to keep an eye on, Buescher will return to his roots at Roush, a team that looks to be on the rise. After several underwhelming years with Stenhouse and Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman seems to have brought the winds of change to the once-prominent organization, and Buescher should be a big part of that next year.
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Driver: Jimmie Jonhson
Rank: 17
Comment: How do you rank a seven-time champion who missed the playoffs for the first time in his career? The answer is, "I don't know ... so let's put him right on the cusp." If Hendrick Motorsports finds its footing and becomes more consistently competitive next season, it's not hard to see Johnson regaining form and competing for an eighth title. It's just that it's a big "if."
Rank: 17
Comment: How do you rank a seven-time champion who missed the playoffs for the first time in his career? The answer is, "I don't know ... so let's put him right on the cusp." If Hendrick Motorsports finds its footing and becomes more consistently competitive next season, it's not hard to see Johnson regaining form and competing for an eighth title. It's just that it's a big "if."
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Streeter Lecka | Getty Images
Driver: Ryan Newman
Rank: 16
Comment: Though Newman was winless for the fifth time in the past six seasons, he notched his first three top fives since 2017, added five more top 10s over last year and earned his best points finish (15th) since placing 11th in 2015. He's in the later years of his career, but it appears he's nowhere close to done yet and should be competitive in his second Roush season.
Rank: 16
Comment: Though Newman was winless for the fifth time in the past six seasons, he notched his first three top fives since 2017, added five more top 10s over last year and earned his best points finish (15th) since placing 11th in 2015. He's in the later years of his career, but it appears he's nowhere close to done yet and should be competitive in his second Roush season.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Aric Almirola
Rank: 15
Comment: Inarguably a down year for Almirola a season after placing fifth in points, the veteran compiled no wins and less top fives, top 10s, laps led and a nearly three-spot drop off in average finish. Hopefully for him there's nowhere to go but up, because if he were to miss next year's playoffs it might not bode well for his future (see: Daniel Suarez).
Rank: 15
Comment: Inarguably a down year for Almirola a season after placing fifth in points, the veteran compiled no wins and less top fives, top 10s, laps led and a nearly three-spot drop off in average finish. Hopefully for him there's nowhere to go but up, because if he were to miss next year's playoffs it might not bode well for his future (see: Daniel Suarez).
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Driver: Clint Bowyer
Rank: 14
Comment: Bowyer did increase his top-10 total to 18 and notched a best points finish (ninth), both his highest since 2013, but it still wasn't the year he was looking for in his third SHR season. He's now winless in six of the last seven seasons, and if he doesn't come out of the gate strong, the questions will start mounting about if the 40-year-old driver's time as a top driver may be coming to an end.
Rank: 14
Comment: Bowyer did increase his top-10 total to 18 and notched a best points finish (ninth), both his highest since 2013, but it still wasn't the year he was looking for in his third SHR season. He's now winless in six of the last seven seasons, and if he doesn't come out of the gate strong, the questions will start mounting about if the 40-year-old driver's time as a top driver may be coming to an end.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: William Byron
Rank: 13
Comment: Byron took a tremendous leap forward in his sophomore campaign, besting his rookie season numbers in just about every way and nearly cracking the top 10 in points. Look for the talented young driver to continue his rise, adding a victory or two next season.
Rank: 13
Comment: Byron took a tremendous leap forward in his sophomore campaign, besting his rookie season numbers in just about every way and nearly cracking the top 10 in points. Look for the talented young driver to continue his rise, adding a victory or two next season.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Alex Bowman
Rank: 12
Comment: Like his Hendrick teammate Byron, Bowman also took a step forward this year, though each is still a tier below HMS counterpart Chase Elliott. It's not out of the question, should they continue to develop, Hendrick has the strongest stable of young talent in the Cup Series and the next decade-plus is extremely bright.
Rank: 12
Comment: Like his Hendrick teammate Byron, Bowman also took a step forward this year, though each is still a tier below HMS counterpart Chase Elliott. It's not out of the question, should they continue to develop, Hendrick has the strongest stable of young talent in the Cup Series and the next decade-plus is extremely bright.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Erik Jones
Rank: 11
Comment: Jones added another victory to his resume, but 2019 was largely a stagnant, if not slightly worse year than his first with Joe Gibbs Racing. A dismal playoffs sunk his overall numbers, but it's clear Jones isn't yet in the echelon as his three Championship 4 teammates. I suspect we won't be saying that again at the end of next year.
Rank: 11
Comment: Jones added another victory to his resume, but 2019 was largely a stagnant, if not slightly worse year than his first with Joe Gibbs Racing. A dismal playoffs sunk his overall numbers, but it's clear Jones isn't yet in the echelon as his three Championship 4 teammates. I suspect we won't be saying that again at the end of next year.
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Driver: Kurt Busch
Rank: 10
Comment: After moving to Chip Ganassi Racing from SHR on a one-year deal to pilot a car that hadn't won since 2013, it appeared Busch was a year away from retirement this time last season. A win, 18 top 10s and the two-year contract extension that a successful season merited make us think Busch has plenty left in the tank and the Busch-Kyle Larson combo at CGR might be something special.
Rank: 10
Comment: After moving to Chip Ganassi Racing from SHR on a one-year deal to pilot a car that hadn't won since 2013, it appeared Busch was a year away from retirement this time last season. A win, 18 top 10s and the two-year contract extension that a successful season merited make us think Busch has plenty left in the tank and the Busch-Kyle Larson combo at CGR might be something special.
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Driver: Ryan Blaney
Rank: 9
Comment: Blaney won for the third straight year, increased his top fives, top 10s and average finish and nearly made it to the Championship 4 -- all while having the best hair in the sport. Good season, bright future for YRB.
Rank: 9
Comment: Blaney won for the third straight year, increased his top fives, top 10s and average finish and nearly made it to the Championship 4 -- all while having the best hair in the sport. Good season, bright future for YRB.
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Driver: Brad Keselowski
Rank: 8
Comment: Keselowski got his three wins (for the third year in a row!), while all of his other peripheral numbers stayed consistent with recent seasons. He's an extremely good driver with a great organization, but the 2012 champ has struggled to get over the hump to maintain elite status.
Rank: 8
Comment: Keselowski got his three wins (for the third year in a row!), while all of his other peripheral numbers stayed consistent with recent seasons. He's an extremely good driver with a great organization, but the 2012 champ has struggled to get over the hump to maintain elite status.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Driver: Kyle Larson
Rank: 7
Comment: Though he broke a winless streak dating back to 2017, most of Larson's stats were down a bit this season. Still, he can drive the wheels off of pretty much anything and was in title contention as late as ISM Raceway near Phoenix. Next year might be the year he finally takes the next step up.
Rank: 7
Comment: Though he broke a winless streak dating back to 2017, most of Larson's stats were down a bit this season. Still, he can drive the wheels off of pretty much anything and was in title contention as late as ISM Raceway near Phoenix. Next year might be the year he finally takes the next step up.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Chase Elliott
Rank: 6
Comment: Elliott matched his three wins and 11 top fives from a year prior, but he was off in top 10s (down six), points finish (down four) and average finish (12.2 to 15.1). Weirdly, numbers aside, it felt like he took a step forward this year and was in position to make it to Homestead-Miami Speedway with a Phoenix win. If Chevrolet improves its performance in 2020, look for Elliott to be at the forefront of that resurgence.
Rank: 6
Comment: Elliott matched his three wins and 11 top fives from a year prior, but he was off in top 10s (down six), points finish (down four) and average finish (12.2 to 15.1). Weirdly, numbers aside, it felt like he took a step forward this year and was in position to make it to Homestead-Miami Speedway with a Phoenix win. If Chevrolet improves its performance in 2020, look for Elliott to be at the forefront of that resurgence.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Driver: Joey Logano
Rank: 5
Comment: Logano quite literally had nowhere to go but down after his 2018 title run, but his team maintained its upper echelon status for the most part -- Logano was in position to move on to Miami heading into Phoenix. Unless something drastically changes, he'll lead the Team Penske charge toward another championship in '20.
Rank: 5
Comment: Logano quite literally had nowhere to go but down after his 2018 title run, but his team maintained its upper echelon status for the most part -- Logano was in position to move on to Miami heading into Phoenix. Unless something drastically changes, he'll lead the Team Penske charge toward another championship in '20.
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Driver: Kevin Harvick
Rank: 4
Comment: The No. 4 team looked lost at times during the first half of the season but turned on the afterburners for the second portion. Another extremely strong overall campaign for Harvick, who has now finished top three in points for six of the past seven seasons. He'll compete for the title once again next year.
Rank: 4
Comment: The No. 4 team looked lost at times during the first half of the season but turned on the afterburners for the second portion. Another extremely strong overall campaign for Harvick, who has now finished top three in points for six of the past seven seasons. He'll compete for the title once again next year.
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Driver: Kyle Busch
Rank: 3
Comment: What? The champion ... third? I know, I know -- but even Busch would likely admit his two veteran teammates put together better overall seasons than he did, though he was the one holding the Cup at the end. Truth be told, it's a toss-up given how talented all three are and the fact they have the best equipment ... but it's still not easy to overlook that 21-race, head-scratching winless streak.
Rank: 3
Comment: What? The champion ... third? I know, I know -- but even Busch would likely admit his two veteran teammates put together better overall seasons than he did, though he was the one holding the Cup at the end. Truth be told, it's a toss-up given how talented all three are and the fact they have the best equipment ... but it's still not easy to overlook that 21-race, head-scratching winless streak.
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Driver: Denny Hamlin
Rank: 2
Comment: Hamlin and first-year crew chief Chris Gabehart appear to be a special combination, taking the No. 11 from a winless 2018 to arguably the driver's best season to date and a near-championship. Look for their dynamic to continue to build in 2020 and Hamlin to come into the season as one of the title favorites.
Rank: 2
Comment: Hamlin and first-year crew chief Chris Gabehart appear to be a special combination, taking the No. 11 from a winless 2018 to arguably the driver's best season to date and a near-championship. Look for their dynamic to continue to build in 2020 and Hamlin to come into the season as one of the title favorites.
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Driver: Martin Truex Jr.
Rank: 1
Comment: As far as driver-crew chief pairings go, however, none remain more special than the bond and chemistry Martin Truex Jr. and Cole Pearn have. The No. 19 Toyota was the strongest car from start to finish in ... '19 ... and with their first official JGR year under their belts, I expect even bigger and better things to come from Truex and Co. next season.
Rank: 1
Comment: As far as driver-crew chief pairings go, however, none remain more special than the bond and chemistry Martin Truex Jr. and Cole Pearn have. The No. 19 Toyota was the strongest car from start to finish in ... '19 ... and with their first official JGR year under their belts, I expect even bigger and better things to come from Truex and Co. next season.
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NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 25 drivers entering the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.