Breaking Down NASCAR’s Final Four: Insider Predictions Following Charlotte

The dust has settled at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the NASCAR Cup Series playoff field has been trimmed from 12 drivers down to eight. With only three races remaining before the championship showdown at Phoenix Raceway, two respected NASCAR insiders have shared their bold predictions for which drivers will make up the Final Four.

Expert Predictions for the Final Four

Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi from The Athletic didn’t hold back on their latest episode of The Teardown podcast when discussing who they believe will advance to the championship race. These aren’t just random guesses, as both journalists have covered NASCAR for years and possess a deeper understanding of the intricacies of playoff racing than most.

Gluck’s Final Four picks include Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe. Meanwhile, Bianchi selected Blaney, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano for his championship quartet. What makes these predictions particularly interesting is the recent championship history.

Logano and Blaney have dominated the last three title races, with Logano capturing championships in 2022 and 2024, while Blaney claimed the crown in 2023. Both experts seem confident this trend will continue.

Championship Winner Predictions Reveal Fascinating Pattern

The championship predictions from both insiders demonstrate the immense respect these drivers have earned. Gluck believes Logano will claim his fourth championship, while Bianchi predicts Blaney will win his second title in three years. This potential outcome would extend an incredible streak.

The Team Penske duo has recently dominated the championship conversation, and their experience in high-pressure situations gives them a significant advantage over younger competitors. Logano’s playoff experience is not to be overstated.

He’s proven time and again that he knows how to peak at the right moment. His ability to find speed when it matters most has become legendary among NASCAR circles.

William Byron’s Struggles Raise Red Flags

One of the most concerning storylines heading into the Round of 8 involves William Byron, who won the Regular Season Championship but has looked surprisingly weak during the playoffs. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has managed just two top-10 finishes in six playoff races.

Bianchi didn’t mince words when discussing Byron’s recent performance: “We overhyped them based on him winning the regular-season championship because they were able just to knock out decent finishes. However, you can look at laps led, except for Iowa, where he won. He has not led a bunch of laps there this year.”

The statistics back up Bianchi’s concerns. Byron has led zero laps during the current playoff run, which is stunning for a driver who dominated the regular season. He hasn’t won stages or shown the dominant speed that typically characterizes championship-caliber teams during crunch time.

This lack of speed and stage presence suggests Byron’s team might be struggling with their playoff setup. In NASCAR’s elimination format, you need to show speed consistently, not just survive with decent finishes. Can he hang onto the final four, or is he risking it all by not making as simple an adjustment as speed?

Tight Points Battle Creates Uncertainty for Final Four

Despite the expert predictions, the actual points standings tell a story of incredible parity heading into Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Denny Hamlin leads the standings, but his margin above the elimination line is a mere eight points. Gluck emphasized how close this battle remains.”Except for Logano, most of the lower points guys are gone. It’s very, very, very tight.

Pretty much all your advantage is wiped out, and now it’s a pretty much straight battle for these final four races.”This tight competition means any mechanical failure, pit road mistake, or on-track incident could dramatically alter the championship picture. The margin for error has essentially disappeared.

Round of 8 Schedule and Championship Race Details

The NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8 kicks off this Sunday with the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This 1.5-mile intermediate track has produced exciting racing in recent years and is expected to provide plenty of drama as drivers fight for their championship lives.

The championship race will take place at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 2nd, with NBC providing coverage starting at 3 p.m. ET. Phoenix has become NASCAR’s crown jewel event, and the unique one-mile track always delivers intense racing for the championship.

Final Thoughts 

The next three weeks will determine which of the final four drivers earn the right to battle for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Based on recent history and current form, expect Logano and Blaney to be significant factors in that Final Four conversation.