NASCAR drivers make surprising picks for most underrated driver in Cup Series

With sponsors and PR managers and everything else going on in the NASCAR Cup Series, getting real answers can be hard at times. Thanks to media day ahead of the playoffs, we have anonymous and honest answers from the playoff drivers.

The NASCAR Playoffs are almost here. Atlanta will kick off the postseason this year for the first time. It is going to be an unpredictable race and many drivers will leave frustrated at the end of the day on Sunday.

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But what do these playoff drivers think about their peers? In particular, who do they see as the most underrated driver in the Cup Series? Thanks to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, we know the answer.

Twelve drivers received one vote, and three drivers received two votes. A couple of drivers gave more than one answer, it would appear.

The three drivers who received two votes each were Christopher Bell, Justin Haley, and Erik Jones. Those are all valid answers.

“I was torn on that one. Todd Gilliland has done a really good job this year,” one anonymous driver replied. “They’ve been on a little bit of a lull, but a driver who has ultimately got it, I would say, is Justin Haley with the way he has run in a Rick Ware car.”

Justin Haley has been mentioned in a few Silly Season rumors. He could find himself at Spire Motorsports, or should I say, back at Spire. That team has one more car to fill for 2025 and it could be Haley. He could then put his fellow drivers’ theory to the test and show just how underrated he really is.

NASCAR Rookie of the Year battle ongoing

Speaking of underrated drivers, Josh Berry and Carson Hocevar are still in a tight points battle for Rookie of the Year. Going into the final ten races of the season, the drivers are separated by only 11 points.

To start the season, it was Berry’s award to lose. However, in the second half, Hocevar has come on strong as the top NASCAR rookie. Berry has earned a couple of top-5s and top-10s. Meanwhile, Hocevar has three top-10 finishes. His performance from Gateway to Daytona-2 was top-10 in terms of average finish.

Both drivers DNFd at Darlington, leading to a poor points day. Now, they are only 11 points apart and there are ten races to go. This is going to be an incredibly good battle to watch in the background of the playoffs.

None of the NASCAR Cup Series rookies made the playoffs this season. So, it’s going to be a straight up points battle to see who takes home the Rookie of the Year.