2021 NASCAR.com staff predictions

With just a few more days to go until the green flag drops on the 2021 NASCAR season, NASCAR.com's staff voted on several categories to make predictions for what is sure to be a memorable year.

Best race: Martinsville fall (3)

Analysis: This race had it all last year, and sitting in the schedule as the final race before the Championship 4 is just perfect. The fact the still-fresh night race is on Halloween this year just adds to the potential drama. Spooky.

Others receiving votes: Bristol (dirt), Indianapolis Road Course, Talladega fall, Road America, Daytona 500, Charlotte Road Course, Daytona (regular-season finale)

Best candidate for first win: Tyler Reddick (4)

Analysis: There are plenty of other talented drivers who received votes here — most of whom are in arguably better racing equipment. That speaks to the raw talent level of Reddick, who should take a step up from a rookie season that was, at times, electric.

Others receiving votes: Bubba Wallace (2), Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Matt DiBenedetto, Michael McDowell

Sleeper pick: AJ Allmendinger (3)

Analysis: A 39-year-old sleeper? You bet. Nothing about 'Dinger's career has been run-of-the-mill, and he might just now have his best shot at a title in 2021 in the Xfinity Series, despite eight previous full-time Cup seasons on top of another four part-time ones. With so many road courses on tap, we could be talking about Allmendinger a lot this year.

Others receiving votes: Chase Briscoe (2), Daniel Suarez (2), Jeb Burton, Hailie Deegan, Chandler Smith

Trucks champ: Zane Smith (5)

Analysis: Smith rode a breakout 2020 campaign — after just one previous series start — to a runner-up finish in the Camping World Truck Series last fall. With his rookie season under his belt, he might be the driver to beat in '21.

Others receiving votes: John Hunter Nemechek (2), Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith

Xfinity champ: Austin Cindric (5)

Analysis: No more Chase Briscoe and the addition of more road courses make this a relatively easy pick for Cindric to repeat as champ. Allmendinger could steal some of the spotlight with said left-and-right layouts, but for now, Cindric is the gold standard.

Others receiving votes: AJ Allmendinger (2), Harrison Burton (2), Noah Gragson

Cup Championship 4: Chase Elliott (9), Kyle Busch (8), Kevin Harvick (7), Ryan Blaney (5)

Analysis: It's definitely a surprise to see so much support for Busch over his teammate, Denny Hamlin, after the discrepancy in their 2020 campaigns, but few, if any, would argue Busch isn't capable of a return to dominance. Harvick and Elliott make for easy pencil-in guys, as well, with Blaney making for a nice dark-horse pick if he can make the most out of the speed in his No. 12 Mustang.

Others receiving votes: Denny Hamlin (4), Joey Logano (3), Martin Truex Jr. (2), Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski

Cup champion: Chase Elliott (3)

Analysis: As good as Elliott was in 2020, it's easy to see a path to even greater results for the Hendrick Motorsports mainstay in '21. Harvick will likely rack up a number of wins and perhaps be his main competition, but for now, the championship road runs through Dawsonville, Georgia.

Others receiving votes: Kevin Harvick (2), Joey Logano (2), Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr.