2017 NASCAR Playoff Predictions

Which Drivers Will Make the Playoff in 2017?

By Richard Tix

It's that time of the year again. Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Daytona 500 is coming, but whats more important the Daytona 500 or my season predictions? Alright, don't answer that. In all seriousness with the 500 almost here the excitement it starting to ramp up.

With my excitement increasing and the days left until the Daytona 500 decreasing it starts getting me into the mood to throw out some season predictions. First up are my Playoff Predictions (below), followed by some random predictions (even further down below), and then coming up will be my release of the "Predicting a NASCAR Champion" to finish off the preseason.

So strap in, it's that time of year again where I throw out random stuff and try forgetting about the crow I will have to eat at the end of the season when it's wrong. 

Who Will Make the 2017 Playoff?

16 drivers now have a chance to get in, and predicting who will make it will be as tough as ever. I'm listing 16 drivers I think will get in and how confident I am with them which includes: (IN, GREAT, GOOD, OK)

1. Jimmie Johnson (IN) - I mean can you see JJ not being in the top 16? Didn't think so.
2. Kyle Busch (IN) - Rowdy has hit his prime just as this new Playoff Era has hit NASCAR. Expect him to be another top contender.
3. Joey Logano (IN) - Speaking of hitting their prime, we're just entering JoLo's prime. Will it end with a Championship?
4. Denny Hamlin (IN) - A fantastic 2016 season ended up short, DH will be determined to finally get his first Cup Championship.
5. Kevin Harvick (IN) - Harvick's rein will eventually slow down, but I don't expect it to happen just yet. Even if he gets a slow start with Ford, he will have plenty to get into the playoff safely.
6. Brad Keselowski (IN) - Team Penske has been too good lately to think both guys won't easily get into the Playoff.
7. Martin Truex Jr (GREAT) - I'm not as locked in with Truex's Championship hopes, but he should easily make the Playoffs again in 2017.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr (GREAT) - Back and ready to go. If his health stays true he will be in the Playoffs once again.
9. Matt Kenseth (GREAT) - He is past his prime, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have something left in the tank for these young guns.
10. Kurt Busch (GOOD) - Kurt Busch just keeps proving me wrong because I keep doubting him, but last year his final stretch run left a bunch to be desired.
11. Chase Elliott (GOOD) - Sophomore slump? I still think even if he has a slump he can get into the Playoff's with a win or points like 2016.
12. Kyle Larson (GOOD) - Larson took a step in 2016 by winning a race, will he take the next one by becoming a contender? I think he locks in back to back Playoff appearances with even more consistency. 
13. Austin Dillon (OK) - Making the Chase last year was a big jump for AD. Going back to back will be even bigger. After the top 12, the playoffs start to open up and I think AD has a nice shot to get in again.
14. Kasey Kahne (OK) - Can Kahne do it? I think he has a good shot at the playoffs and possibly victory lane in 2017.
15. Clint Boywer (OK) - Bowyer is as happy as anyone that 2017 is about to get started. He will be even happier if he can manage his way into the Playoffs.
16. Jamie McMurray (OK) - Really struggling with the last four drivers, but I think JMac's consistency can help him points into the playoffs again. Plus, he loves his superspeedways and will have three chances before the final ten races to win at one.

The top 16 seems to be a "safe bet" list. Behind the Wall will take a better look at some underdogs who could make a splash in this years 16 car Chase field.

• Erik Jones - I want to include Erik in the Playoffs -- and he still has a great shot at them -- but in the end I think the incosistency of being a rookie might hold him back. But, expect some fun moments with him being a front runner in 2017.
• AJ Allmendinger - Can he win at a road course? He has been getting more consistent with JTG at other tracks, but not quite enough to make the playoff on points alone.
• Ryan Newman - AD passed him as RCR's best driver in 2016 (points wise), will he bounce back and can RCR put two drivers into the Chase?
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr - Yes, a RFR driver. They made baby steps in 2016, if they make more in 2017 he could be a surprise this year. Playoffs are a long shot, but 4-6 spots in the playoffs seem pretty up for grabs.
• Ryan Blaney - Blaney is going to be around for awhile at the Cup level if he continues to run clean and safe, but will he make the step in 2017 to be a playoff driver? It's not out of the question.

2017 Random Predictions

Who Win's the 2017 Rookie of the Year Award?

• I'm all in on Erik Jones. Daniel Suarez has shown he can be a consistent driver and should fair well in year one in the No. 19, but I'm taking the No. 77 for ROY honors. Erik has shown flashes and can charge to the front at anytime. It won't be as easy at the Cup level, but I think it will be enough to pull off the ROY title vs Ty Dillon and Suarez.

Biggest Surprise in 2017?

• I have a few things on my mind, but I am not sure which is the biggest so let's list them all and give myself a worse probability of getting them all right. First, I think RCR will continue in the positive direction after 2016. They will put a driver in the playoff and contend, if not win, a race or two. Number two: I think Kyle Larson will win multiple races in 2017. Last: this one will be hard to quantify but I also think RFR takes another baby step forward with Stenhouse Jr. improving on his 2016 statistics.

Biggest Disappointment in 2017?

• Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr all will have sub standard years in 2017. I think all three make the playoff, but statistically speaking I believe the young guns will start stealing some spotlight and top 5/top 10 finishes from the veterans which includes these three.

Will a Playoff Spot be Stolen at a Road Course?

• Stolen, meaning a guy like Allmendinger, a rookie, or another driver not known for having many wins at the Cup level. Will that happen in 2017 like it did in 2015? No. Here's why. Each year drivers have been realizing more and more the importance of winning and winning at a road course. That means teams have focused more on these types of races. Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex come to mind when thinking about regulars who can shut down an Allmendinger type from stealing a Playoff spot.

Kasey Kahne will make it back to the Playoffs?

• It's that time of year again. It's the time of year where i put blind faith back into Kahne for the upcoming season. If you follow along enough, you know that this happens almost every preseason and I always get burned. Kasey is too good to go a third straight year without a win and if he does he is too good not to point into 16th place.

Who is the next young gun to visit Victory Lane for the first time?

• The list includes Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Ty Dillon, Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney, Ricky Stenhouse, and Trevor Bayne. That group has lower level championships and wins written all over it. But, who gets a win at the next level first? Chase Elliott is the easy answer and who I am going with, but you can't rule out AD (superspeedways), Erik Jones (JGR help), Daniel Suarez (JGR car), or even Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Bristol). It's tough to see the old greats we know and love move on, but the young guys are bringing a new wave to NASCAR which will be exciting to watch.

Have we seen the last of Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart?

• The Biff still wants to drive, but it was apparent he wanted a competitive ride if he was going to run in 2017, otherwise he would have stayed at RFR (if he could have). I do not think we will see either driver ever again in a large capacity at the Cup level. However, I could see either one stepping back into a competitive ride if a team needs a spot starter like HMS did in 2016 for Junior. I see Biffle stepping back into a part time ride before Smoke but I am not sure an opportunity will arise anytime soon.