With the addition of new teams, new tracks and an overall schedule shakeup, there are so many different directions the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season can head in. Read on to see the NASCAR.com staff's bold predictions before racing gets back underway.
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Zack Albert
Bold 2021 prediction: Three Cup Series drivers will visit Victory Lane for the first time: Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell.
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Pat DeCola
Bold 2021 prediction: Hendrick Motorsports will once again compete for the title — but with new No. 48 driver Alex Bowman landing in the Championship 4 instead of Chase Elliott.
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RJ Kraft
Bold 2021 prediction: Ryan Blaney scores the most wins of drivers in the Team Penske camp, but none of the three make the Championship 4.
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Jonathan Merryman
Bold 2021 prediction: Denny Hamlin makes history as the only driver to win three Daytona 500s in a row.
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Terrin Waack
Bold 2021 prediction: You know how Kyle Busch struggled after his 2019 championship run? A similar story line is going to unfold for Kevin Harvick after his nine-win 2020 season.
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Alex Weaver
Bold 2021 prediction: Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins of any organization in 2021.
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Chase Wilhelm
Bold 2021 prediction: Bubba Wallace makes the playoffs in 23XI Racing’s first season by winning a superspeedway race.
George Winkler Bold 2021 prediction: Bubba Wallace will have a chance to make the playoffs by the final regular-season race in his first year with 23XI Racing.
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@nascarcasm
Bold 2021 prediction: Several voters scroll down until they see “Chase” and submit their vote for Most Popular Driver. However, they forget Chase Elliott is the second alphabetical Chase, and Chase Briscoe wins Most Popular Driver.
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Steve Luvender
Bold 2021 prediction: Christopher Bell and Matt DiBenedetto finish 1-2 at least once, making for the ultimate 20-21 photo op.