Drivers to watch, drivers with questions to answer in second half of the NASCAR season
With the NASCAR season coming back from the off week, it is time to look at the drivers to watch and which ones need to step up in the second half of the year. There have been some teams and drivers that have made big statements early on. Then there are those that need to atone for their mistakes soon or they are going to run out of time when it comes to making the playoffs.
Championship contenders have started to emerge and there are some preseason favorites that have yet to live up to the hype. This NASCAR season has seen fewer winners so far than in 2022 in the first year of the Next Gen car. So, we could be seeing the top drivers finally sorting themselves out after almost two full seasons.
There are 10 races in the regular season and 10 playoff races left on the schedule. Time is running out for many drivers while others have positioned themselves right where they want to be.
NASCAR drivers to watch the rest of the season
William Byron
This one is obvious when you look at what Byron has accomplished this season. He was the first to get three wins on the year, has the most top-5 finishes with seven, and has nine top-10s to his record as well. He has led by far the most laps this year with 717.
Kyle Busch
Another three-win driver, Busch has had a resurgence with RCR and Chevy this NASCAR season. Wins at Fontana, Talladega, and Gateway show that Busch remains versatile. He too has nine top-10 finishes. He also boasts five top-5s. Rowdy looks to be in top form.
Martin Truex Jr.
Another veteran trying to prove he still has what it takes. The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion is back to winning. Truex Jr. picked up the checkered flag at Sonoma right before the off week and is now the points leader heading into Nashville. He has also led the third most laps this season with 434.
Kyle Larson
Based on how his season has gone, Larson is a favorite almost every week and he’s a favorite to win the championship as well. Two wins on the year, six top-5s, seven top-10s. Larson is 10th in the points, but he also has the most DNFs of anyone with a win or in the top-10 in the standings. Checkers or wreckers for the No. 5 team this year.
Drivers with questions to answer
Now here is where we’re going to point our finger a bit. These are NASCAR drivers that are in a position that they haven’t been before, both good and bad. They will have many questions and doubters to answer as the season winds down toward the playoffs.
Ross Chastain
Here is what I want to know, was the Melon Man scared off by Mr. Hendrick after Darlington? Ever since Chastain got his talking to by everyone at Chevy then some, he has been shrinking away from the spotlight. Need some of that fire and chaos back or he might not run up front much anymore.
Chase Elliott
Another obvious addition to this list. Elliott has been predicted as the most likely winless driver to pick up the checkered flag at Nashville. However, multiple weeks missed for injury and the suspension week have the 2020 NASCAR champ in a must-win situation that is slowly fading away.
Alex Bowman
Before Bowman’s back injury that kept him out a number of weeks this season, he was one of the most consistent drivers in the Cup Series. Bowman sits 16th in the standings. He needs to get back to his early season form if he wants to hang on until the playoffs.
Bubba Wallace
While Bubba hasn’t won a race and solidified his spot in the NASCAR playoffs, he is in playoff position right now. 15th overall in the standings, Wallace earned his spot there by posting four straight top-5 finishes. He is another driver that needs to keep his foot on the gas if he wants to get a berth for his first-ever postseason run.