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Power Rankings: Top 10 NASCAR Cup Series teams in 2022
By Pat DeCola | Published: January 11, 2022 11
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NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 10 NASCAR Cup Series teams before the 2022 season begins next month.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
10. Team: Kaulig Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Justin Haley, No. 31; AJ Allmendinger, Noah Gragson, Daniel Hemric, No. 16
2021 recap: Kaulig is a new team in Cup, but its one full-time driver showed championship potential in the Xfinity Series last year, is just 22 years old and already has a premier series win. Oh, and its part-time ride will be split between three of last season's four drivers in the Xfinity Series' Championship 4.
2022 outlook: While it's typically prudent to temper your expectations for a team entering its first full-time Cup season, mine are set a bit higher for Kaulig. The organization has been a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, never shying away from its ultimate goal of being just that in Cup as well. A win or two isn't out of the question this year, particularly on superspeedways and road courses -- remember Allmendinger won at Indy in 2021.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Justin Haley, No. 31; AJ Allmendinger, Noah Gragson, Daniel Hemric, No. 16
2021 recap: Kaulig is a new team in Cup, but its one full-time driver showed championship potential in the Xfinity Series last year, is just 22 years old and already has a premier series win. Oh, and its part-time ride will be split between three of last season's four drivers in the Xfinity Series' Championship 4.
2022 outlook: While it's typically prudent to temper your expectations for a team entering its first full-time Cup season, mine are set a bit higher for Kaulig. The organization has been a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, never shying away from its ultimate goal of being just that in Cup as well. A win or two isn't out of the question this year, particularly on superspeedways and road courses -- remember Allmendinger won at Indy in 2021.
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Grant Halverson | Getty Images
9. Team: Trackhouse Racing Team
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Ross Chastain, No. 1; Daniel Suarez, No. 99
2021 recap: Suarez finished in the top 25 in points in Trackhouse's first season, as he saw his team methodically put things together as the season progressed. Chastain fared a bit better in what wound up being Chip Ganassi Racing's final season in the sport, finishing 20th and having a few bright spots throughout the year.
2022 outlook: Trackhouse is a team on the rise with a big vision, having purchased CGR's assets and signing Chastain to continue on in the longtime organization's other number — 1. Consider both drivers fringe dark-horse playoff candidates for now, each with a relatively high ceiling.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Ross Chastain, No. 1; Daniel Suarez, No. 99
2021 recap: Suarez finished in the top 25 in points in Trackhouse's first season, as he saw his team methodically put things together as the season progressed. Chastain fared a bit better in what wound up being Chip Ganassi Racing's final season in the sport, finishing 20th and having a few bright spots throughout the year.
2022 outlook: Trackhouse is a team on the rise with a big vision, having purchased CGR's assets and signing Chastain to continue on in the longtime organization's other number — 1. Consider both drivers fringe dark-horse playoff candidates for now, each with a relatively high ceiling.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
8. Team: Wood Brothers Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Harrison Burton, No. 21
2021 recap: Burton takes over the famed No. 21 for Matt DiBenedetto, who finished 18th and missed the playoffs. The talented, young Burton placed eighth in Xfinity standings with 22 top 10s, though was held winless.
2022 outlook: Burton's landing of the 21 car feels like it's a situation he'll grow into — alongside fellow Team Penske-aligned rookie teammate Austin Cindric — but he should have a few highlights from the year ahead.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Harrison Burton, No. 21
2021 recap: Burton takes over the famed No. 21 for Matt DiBenedetto, who finished 18th and missed the playoffs. The talented, young Burton placed eighth in Xfinity standings with 22 top 10s, though was held winless.
2022 outlook: Burton's landing of the 21 car feels like it's a situation he'll grow into — alongside fellow Team Penske-aligned rookie teammate Austin Cindric — but he should have a few highlights from the year ahead.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
7. Team: RFK Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Brad Keselowski, No. 6; Chris Buescher, No. 17
2021 recap: Keselowski had a pretty decent 2021 season, landing sixth overall — albeit for a stronger Penske team. Ryan Newman finished 28th in the car Keselowski will be hopping in. Buescher had some solid races sprinkled in another overall building year, but he did finish in the top 20 in points (19th).
2022 outlook: It's hard to get a read on what level of performance RFK will bring to the table in this new era for a longtime NASCAR mainstay, but one thing's for sure — the meticulous and organized Keselowski will do what he can with what he has in 2022 as he puts pieces in motion to bring this team back to contender status over the coming years.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Brad Keselowski, No. 6; Chris Buescher, No. 17
2021 recap: Keselowski had a pretty decent 2021 season, landing sixth overall — albeit for a stronger Penske team. Ryan Newman finished 28th in the car Keselowski will be hopping in. Buescher had some solid races sprinkled in another overall building year, but he did finish in the top 20 in points (19th).
2022 outlook: It's hard to get a read on what level of performance RFK will bring to the table in this new era for a longtime NASCAR mainstay, but one thing's for sure — the meticulous and organized Keselowski will do what he can with what he has in 2022 as he puts pieces in motion to bring this team back to contender status over the coming years.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
6. Team: Richard Childress Racing
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Austin Dillon, No. 3; Tyler Reddick, No. 8
2021 recap: The final playoff spot essentially came down to RCR's two drivers, with the nod going to Reddick who finished a respectable 13th overall. Dillon wound up 17th but turned in one of his best overall statistical seasons.
2022 outlook: I expect both of these drivers to have strong 2022 campaigns, potentially both winning. Reddick feels like a top talent about to burst into a superstar, and Dillon has enough experience under his belt at this point it feels like it could all click for him at any moment. Keep your eye on RCR in '22.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Austin Dillon, No. 3; Tyler Reddick, No. 8
2021 recap: The final playoff spot essentially came down to RCR's two drivers, with the nod going to Reddick who finished a respectable 13th overall. Dillon wound up 17th but turned in one of his best overall statistical seasons.
2022 outlook: I expect both of these drivers to have strong 2022 campaigns, potentially both winning. Reddick feels like a top talent about to burst into a superstar, and Dillon has enough experience under his belt at this point it feels like it could all click for him at any moment. Keep your eye on RCR in '22.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
5. Team: 23XI Racing
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Bubba Wallace, No. 23; Kurt Busch, No. 45
2021 recap: Wallace earned his first career win, but I think some were expecting a bit more than his 21st-place standings finish. Busch, on the other hand, outpaced expectations in a lame-duck CGR season, nearly making a deep playoff run before settling in 11th.
2022 outlook: Expect much bigger things from 23XI in 2022. Wallace finally has the pressure of his first win off his back, and Busch brings a championship skillset to yet another organization on his resume. Both should be playoff drivers.
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Bubba Wallace, No. 23; Kurt Busch, No. 45
2021 recap: Wallace earned his first career win, but I think some were expecting a bit more than his 21st-place standings finish. Busch, on the other hand, outpaced expectations in a lame-duck CGR season, nearly making a deep playoff run before settling in 11th.
2022 outlook: Expect much bigger things from 23XI in 2022. Wallace finally has the pressure of his first win off his back, and Busch brings a championship skillset to yet another organization on his resume. Both should be playoff drivers.
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Brett Carlsen | Getty Images
4. Team: Stewart-Haas Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Kevin Harvick, No. 4; Aric Almirola, No. 10; Chase Briscoe, No. 14; Cole Custer, No. 41; Ryan Preece, reserve/part-time
2021 recap: Last season was a funky one for SHR, with Almirola's New Hampshire win standing as the team's only victory. Harvick did place fifth in the standings, but there's plenty of room for improvement overall (Almirola, 15th; Briscoe, 23rd; Custer, 26th).
2022 outlook: It's hard to see how a rebound isn't the most likely scenario for the championship organization. Harvick was the best driver in the series just the year before, and both Briscoe and Custer should continue to round into quality, potential playoff drivers. It'll also be interesting to see how much Almirola can squeeze out of his final season with Preece presumably waiting in the wings to take over the No. 10.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Kevin Harvick, No. 4; Aric Almirola, No. 10; Chase Briscoe, No. 14; Cole Custer, No. 41; Ryan Preece, reserve/part-time
2021 recap: Last season was a funky one for SHR, with Almirola's New Hampshire win standing as the team's only victory. Harvick did place fifth in the standings, but there's plenty of room for improvement overall (Almirola, 15th; Briscoe, 23rd; Custer, 26th).
2022 outlook: It's hard to see how a rebound isn't the most likely scenario for the championship organization. Harvick was the best driver in the series just the year before, and both Briscoe and Custer should continue to round into quality, potential playoff drivers. It'll also be interesting to see how much Almirola can squeeze out of his final season with Preece presumably waiting in the wings to take over the No. 10.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
3. Team: Team Penske
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Austin Cindric, No. 2; Ryan Blaney, No. 12; Joey Logano, No. 22
2021 recap: All three 2021 Penske drivers made the Round of 8 ... and were bounced in the Round of 8. Cindric, the 2020 Xfinity champion, takes over Keselowski's longtime residency in the No. 2 after coming up just short of back-to-back titles.
2022 outlook: Penske might have its lineup locked in for the next decade-plus, with an average age of 27.33 and championship potential spread out among all three of them. Yes, even the rookie Cindric.
Manufacturer: Ford
Drivers: Austin Cindric, No. 2; Ryan Blaney, No. 12; Joey Logano, No. 22
2021 recap: All three 2021 Penske drivers made the Round of 8 ... and were bounced in the Round of 8. Cindric, the 2020 Xfinity champion, takes over Keselowski's longtime residency in the No. 2 after coming up just short of back-to-back titles.
2022 outlook: Penske might have its lineup locked in for the next decade-plus, with an average age of 27.33 and championship potential spread out among all three of them. Yes, even the rookie Cindric.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
2. Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Denny Hamlin, No. 11; Kyle Busch, No. 18; Martin Truex Jr., No. 19; Christopher Bell, No. 20
2021 recap: JGR put two drivers in the Championship 4, but unfortunately for them, neither was able to topple Kyle Larson for the title. Still, Gibbs at times looked like the team to beat and landed all four drivers in the playoffs.
2022 outlook: An SHR-like drop-off for the perennial powerhouse JGR team feels unlikely, and it should be among the elite once again in 2022. All four drivers should compete for wins, and it would be a surprise if there isn't at least one JGR car in the Championship 4.
Manufacturer: Toyota
Drivers: Denny Hamlin, No. 11; Kyle Busch, No. 18; Martin Truex Jr., No. 19; Christopher Bell, No. 20
2021 recap: JGR put two drivers in the Championship 4, but unfortunately for them, neither was able to topple Kyle Larson for the title. Still, Gibbs at times looked like the team to beat and landed all four drivers in the playoffs.
2022 outlook: An SHR-like drop-off for the perennial powerhouse JGR team feels unlikely, and it should be among the elite once again in 2022. All four drivers should compete for wins, and it would be a surprise if there isn't at least one JGR car in the Championship 4.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
1. Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kyle Larson, No. 5; Chase Elliott, No. 9; William Byron, No. 24; Alex Bowman, No. 48
2021 recap: Hendrick had about as good a season as a team can hope for in 2021, claiming the championship with Larson and combining for 17 wins. A title felt likely almost all season long, and Hendrick delivered.
2022 outlook: The domination displayed by the team in 2021 felt like the good old days for Hendrick after a few seasons full of ups and downs as the careers of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson wound down. With a young and supremely talented core in place for the foreseeable future, another dynastic stretch may be upon us, and it's championship or bust in '22.
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Drivers: Kyle Larson, No. 5; Chase Elliott, No. 9; William Byron, No. 24; Alex Bowman, No. 48
2021 recap: Hendrick had about as good a season as a team can hope for in 2021, claiming the championship with Larson and combining for 17 wins. A title felt likely almost all season long, and Hendrick delivered.
2022 outlook: The domination displayed by the team in 2021 felt like the good old days for Hendrick after a few seasons full of ups and downs as the careers of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson wound down. With a young and supremely talented core in place for the foreseeable future, another dynastic stretch may be upon us, and it's championship or bust in '22.