Richmond Preview: Who has the best, worst outlooks?

As the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs advances to the next Round of 16 showdown at Richmond Raceway, NASCAR.com makes a case for which playoff drivers have the best and worst outlooks heading into this weekend's race.

BEST: Martin Truex Jr.

Average finish at Richmond: 17.9 (ranks 11th among playoff drivers)

Most recent finish at Richmond: Winner (also won 2019 spring race)

Comment: Despite a 17.9 career average finish at Richmond, Truex Jr. has been hotter than anyone at this short track over the last year. In 2019, he swept both races and led a total of 295 laps. His speed has been on display all season, and the top-five streak would have extended to nine races if not for late contact with Chase Elliott at Darlington. Expect to see the No. 19 back near the front this weekend.

BEST: Kevin Harvick

Average finish at Richmond: 9.8 (ranks third)

Most recent finish at Richmond: 7th (won in 2013, 2011 and 2006)

Comment: Though his last win at the track came in 2013, Harvick has proven that he is the driver to beat each and every week this season. In the last 10 races at Richmond, he ranks second in points gained with 351 -- trailing only Kyle Busch with 358. The veteran driver hasn't finished outside the top 10 here since 2017, and with a start on the Busch Pole for Saturday night, don't expect things to be much different.

BEST: Kyle Busch

Average finish at Richmond: 6.8 (ranks first)

Most recent finish at Richmond: Runner-up (won twice in 2018, once in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009)

Comment: The reigning champion has been the sleeping giant all season, and with his recent string of success at Richmond and series-best six victories, this might be the week he wakes up. Busch led a race-high 202 laps in last season's playoff race, giving him a series-high four races with 200 or more laps led at this track. Before last season's performance, he rallied for an eighth-place finish and took home both checkered flags during the 2018 season. Just seven points above the cutline, look for the No. 18 team to make some noise.

WORST: Ryan Blaney

Average finish at Richmond: 25.5 (ranks 13th)

Most recent finish at Richmond: 17th

Comment: Blaney had a race to forget at Darlington, and with such little time to shake things off, heading to Richmond is already an uphill climb. He has never finished inside the top 15 in eight starts here, despite a 14.9 average start -- and after digging themselves into a 17-point hole in the Round of 16 standings -- the pressure might be on for Blaney to put together his best race ever.

WORST: Matt DiBenedetto

Average finish at Richmond: 28.7 (ranks last)

Most recent finish at Richmond: 14th

Comment: A new team might be the breath of fresh air DiBenedetto needs to have success in Virginia, ranking last in average finish among 2020 playoff drivers at Richmond Raceway. The 0.75-mile short track has been all but kind to the Wood Brothers Racing driver, leaving him without a single top-10 finish in his career. One of the few bright spots is that last season's fall finish of 14th was a career-best.

WORST: Cole Custer

Average finish at Richmond: 26.0 (1 start, ranks 15th)

Most recent finish at Richmond: 26th (2018)

Comment: Each of Custer's short-track efforts this season have resulted in finishes outside the top 25. The good news for him is he's had one Cup Series experience at the track before, driving the No. 51 Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing in 2018. But with a new short-track package and a highly seasoned crop of drivers ahead him, much like his current place in the playoff standings -- Custer might once again find himself on the outside looking in.