10 Predictions for '22

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Welcome to year two of Loomis’ NASCARTalk. After a brief hiatus, my return to school for Spring semester marks the return to putting out stories. I started last season with my 10 predictions for the 2021 season, and they were a disaster to put it simply. I am going to throw out another 10 predictions, and we’ll see how they fare.

To start off the list, I reached out for a guest prediction. In return, part-time logo designer and full-time girlfriend, Ashley Norviel, penciled in Kyle Larson to win the inaugural Cup race at World Wide Technology Raceway. He’s done well in new environments, as he won at Nashville last year. She may be onto something. Now onto my list…

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1. Both RFK cars will make the Playoffs

Oh yeah, we’re going to start off with a big one. The newly named RFK Racing is one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season. Brad Keselowski is still a top-10 driver in the Cup series without a doubt. He’s also one of the most diverse, with the ability to score a win at a short track or intermediate, while being one of the best ever at Talladega. He will find his way into the Playoffs, as well as his new teammate. In my opinion, Chris Buescher is the most underrated driver in NASCAR. He’s never had the best equipment in the series, but this is a guy that beat Chase Elliott for the 2015 Xfinity series championship. Buescher was in line for a Playoff spot last year before new winners Kurt Busch and Aric Almirola dropped him below the line. A teammate like Keselowski is going to do wonders for Buescher, who I think will score his second career win in 2022.

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2. Tyler Reddick wins twice

If every Cup driver raced like Tyler Reddick, every race would be must-see T.V. Reddick is as fearless as they come, and is never afraid to put himself in harm’s way to make something happen. When this can come back to bite him, he has the talent to use it to his advantage. He showed a little bit of what he could do in a Playoff appearance last year. This year, with a new car and added practice and qualifying will only help him. NASCAR is also moving to a 670 hp package like the Xfinity series races. Reddick just so happens to be one of the most decorated Xfinity drivers of the past decade. I’m very excited to see Reddick this year. Don’t be surprised to see a pair of wins and a Playoff push.

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3. Sheldon Creed makes the Championship 4 in Xfinity

I am very high on Sheldon Creed. After a great Truck series career, which nearly saw two championships, he is onto Richard Childress Racing in the no. 2 car, one of the most storied rides in the history of the second tier series. That’s not an exaggeration, as Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Tyler Reddick all won the championship in that car. Creed took his time developing in Trucks, and seems more than ready for the next step. The Xfinity season will be one of transition as well. Harrison Burton, Austin Cindric and Justin Haley are in Cup, Joe Gibbs downshifted to two cars and Penske won’t have an entry. That leaves a lot of wins up for grabs. Here’s to hoping Creed takes the next step With Arms Wide Open.

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4. Crown Jewel Winners

For this pick, I am going to take a guess at picking who will win the four crown jewels. To me, the four crown jewels are of course the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and the Bristol Night Race. I see each of these four races being won by someone that hasn’t won it before.

Daytona 500: Kyle Busch

It’s time. Kyle Busch is the best NASCAR driver to have never won the Great American Race. He’s had some promising runs as recently as 2019, but he’s not getting any younger. I think it’s time for Rowdy to go ahead and grab the big one.

Coca-Cola 600: Denny Hamlin

It’s honestly amazing that Hamlin hasn’t won the 600 yet. For all intents and purposes, this is a good track for Hamlin, as he has 19 top-10s in 30 races. All that’s missing is the checkered flag. That’s going to change this year.

Southern 500: Kyle Larson

We don’t talk enough about how good Kyle Larson is at Darlington. It shouldn’t be a shock that Larson excels at a track that requires a lot of driver skill. His last four finishes at the track are 3-2-2-2. He’s going to close the deal on Labor Day.

Bristol: Ryan Blaney

Blaney’s averages are not indicative of how well he’s run at Bristol. He’s been up front at every race since 2018, but has been taken out twice in wrecks not of his own doing. Blaney had a breakout last year with two straight wins. There’s no reason to believe he’ll slow down this year.

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5. Chase Elliott goes winless on ovals

Don’t worry, Chase fans. Elliott will do fine on the road courses like usual. Elliott’s lack of wins on ovals doesn’t seem to get talked about that much. In six full seasons, Elliott has just six oval wins. That’s as many as Ryan Blaney has, granted Blaney has three superspeedway wins. That’s not to say Elliott is going to struggle by any means, as an 11.4 average finish in 2021 shows that he can run well anywhere he goes. My issue is that Elliott, despite scoring a bunch of top-fives, wasn’t always a real threat to win. There was Dover, Charlotte and Kansas, where Elliott went 3-2-2, but was never close to Kyle Larson the whole day. What about New Hampshire, Bristol and Phoenix, where he led a bunch of laps but faded in the end for some reason? Aside from the last two races of 2020, Elliott hasn’t really been able to put a full race together. Embrace debate.

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6. Both Trackhouse cars finish top-20 in points

Trackhouse will be another interesting team to watch this season. They found some stability, purchasing Chip Ganassi’s assets and charters. We’ve seen what Ganassi’s drivers have been able to do in the past, with drivers like Jamie McMurray, Kyle Larson and Kurt Busch all scoring multiple wins for the organization. Daniel Suarez fell off at the end of the season, but he showed enough promise at the beginning of the season. As for Ross Chastain, he is a real mystery this year. He ended the season with some strong runs at Darlington and Richmond. Chastain has always lacked security, and now he has it for the first time in his career. There are about 25 vying for the top 20 spots in the series. Trackhouse has the potential to surprise people this year.

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7. Kevin Harvick and Chase Briscoe represent Stewart-Haas in the Playoffs

It goes without saying that 2021 was an unmitigated disaster for Stewart-Haas Racing. The only win came courtesy of Aric Almirola, and they had three cars that were outside of the top-20 in points all year. They can’t be worse than they were last year. That said, they’re not going to match 2018 anytime soon. As long as Stewart-Haas has Kevin Harvick, they’ll be in the Playoffs. Harvick is a top-12 driver of all time, but he doesn’t have much left in the tank. There are reports of him retiring after 2023, so they better improve quickly. Last year’s Rookie of the Year Chase Briscoe wasn’t good by any means last year. That said, he’s won everywhere he’s been in his career. He’s got new sponsorship and more experience. Something tells me that he’s going to break through. Aric Almirola has historically been better in even-numbered seasons, but I see him needing a win to make the Playoffs. Cole Custer was horiffic last year. He has a lot to prove this year.

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8. Ty Gibbs does NOT win the Xfinity series

Ty Gibbs is all but confirmed to go full-time in Xfinity. After an incredible part-time season in 2021, where he garnered four wins in 18 starts, many are already handing Gibbs the Xfinity series crown. Let’s pump the brakes on that. Yes, he is extremely talented. Yes, he is on a great team and will likely win a lot of races. However, the championship is just one race. The best driver doesn’t always walk away with the title in Xfinity, just ask Elliott Sadler. The championship has recently gone to drivers that excelled at Homestead or Phoenix, like Tyler Reddick and Austin Cindric respectively, or the most desparate, like Daniel Hemric. Will Gibbs make the Championship 4? I see no way he doesn’t. Will he win it? I’ll say no.

GMS Racing

9. Grant Enfinger leads the Truck series in wins

Grant Enfinger is back full time, and with arguably the best ride of his career. He’s back at GMS, a Truck series powerhouse. Even better for him, the team looks to be a two-car operation with him and Jack Wood. Enfinger has shown an ability to reel off a bunch of wins, snagging four in 2020. In my opinion, he and John Hunter Nemechek are the two guys that everyone will have to beat in the Truck series in 2022. I see Enfinger leading a bunch of laps and winning five races on the season.

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10. Championship Picks

As I did last year, I am going to take a shot at predicting the leader for wins, Championship 4 and Champions of each series.

Truck series:

Most wins: Grant Enfinger (5)

Final Four: Grant Enfinger, John Hunter Nemechek, Chandler Smith, Ben Rhodes

Champion: John Hunter Nemechek

He’s been #Here4Wins, now he’s going to be #Here4aChampionship.

Xfinity series:

Most wins: Ty Gibbs (6)

Final Four: Ty Gibbs, Daniel Hemric, Sheldon Creed, Noah Gragson

Champion: Noah Gragson

Gragson really showed me something next year. I think he’s a more mature driver, and will drive his heart out for a Championship and Cup series ride in 2023.

Cup series:

Most wins: Kyle Larson (7) Final Four: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott

Champion: Kyle Larson

He’s the best driver in the sport right now, and he will be for a long time to come.

What are your picks for 2022? Feel free to leave a comment or tweet me @HBLoomis. Let’s talk racing!