With only 53 days until the Daytona 500 (thanks Larry McReynolds), it’s not too early to start thinking about the upcoming NASCAR season.
As an aside, the reason we need to all stay home, social distance, wear masks, wash our hands and beat COVID is because after 62 years, this should not the final image history has of the Daytona 500.
Anyways, last year (on my ill-fated Glob of Thought Blog), I made some “bold predictions” for the 2020 season. The only one I remember was the prediction that U.S. President Donald Trump would make an appearance at the fall Talladega race. (He did make an appearance at a NASCAR race, but it was the Daytona 500.)
When I initially started brainstorming my list, some of the predictions were things I could honestly see happening. However, I decided to go for “bold” predictions – stuff that would be certified longshots to happen.
As with all of my predictions, if I am right, you will never hear the end of it and if I am wrong, we will never speak of this again!
- Joining Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman in announcing their retirement this year will be Aric Almirola or Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
- Michael McDowell will be a surprise winner at Talladega and make the playoffs. (I almost went with Tyler Reddick but I don’t think that’s such a bold prediction.)
- At least one of the new Cup teams will either announce they are folding or will be in search of a new driver by year’s end.
- After getting the Wood Brothers their 100th Cup win, Matt DiBenedetto will sign a multi-year deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.
- After once again making the Xfinity Playoffs, Ryan Seig will close down his team at the end of the year to join Kaulig Racing.
- Michael Annett, winless in 2021, will be replaced at JR Motorsports at season’s end by Brett Moffitt.
- Hailie Deegan will win at least three races and the Camping World Truck Series championship. (Truth be known – I think Deegan winning the championship is a bold prediction, only because of her inexperience in the series, but I legitimately could see her being in the Final Four.)
- Stewart Friesen will go winless in 2021 and switch manufacturers to Ford.
- Ryan Newman will win the Daytona 500 in what will be an emotional moment for NASCAR…and for all of us here at John Milner’s Track Talk.
- Bold Predictions for 2021 Series Champions:
- Cup Series: Darrell Wallace, Jr.
- Xfinity Series: Harrison Burton
- Truck Series: Hailie Deegan
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