As a successful entrepreneur who puts in countless hours of work in the world of real estate in the greater Phoenix region, Gary Nakauchi believes taking advantage of one’s downtime is essential. NASCAR quickly grew into one of Gary’s favorite sports to watch because there’s one race a week, and it’s usually conveniently run on an early Sunday afternoon. This season has been full of surprises and Gary Nakauchi can’t wait for the upcoming playoff races. Today’s article will provide a preview of what race fans should expect from the 2023 NASCAR playoffs.
Previewing the 2023 NASCAR playoffs without establishing that William Byron is headed in as the favorite is impossible. Coming off his first road-course victory at The Glen at the historic Wakins Glen International, William Byron has remained dominant this season. With five victories to his name in 2023, the 25-year-old is making his claim as the future of the sport. When the playoffs wrap up in early November at the Phoenix Raceway, Gary Nakauchi believes William Byron is the driver most likely to be hoisting the trophy. Byron is quickly growing into a fan favorite not just for his victories but for his ability to win with class and humility.
One of the things that has been so exciting about this season of NASCAR for Gary Nakauchi is that the two drivers at the top of the rankings represent the new and the old of racing. Martin Truex Jr. has done a phenomenal job for Joe Gibbs Racing as he will likely land in second heading into the playoffs. At 43, Martin Truex Jr. has headed to victory lane three times and has been a picture of consistency. Truex Jr. has seen it all in his career and is a genuine threat to Byron and the rest of the field. While not as flashy as some of the other drivers on the circuit, there will by plenty of fans in Martin’s corner.
As one of the most polarizing figures in racing, Kyle Busch may not get enough credit for being the most competitive driver on the planet. He is not someone who is okay with finishing second. Gary Nakauchi notes that Kyle is regularly seen racing on the Xfinity Series due to his desire to race as much as possible. Kyle has represented Richard Childress Racing well, with 3 wins and 8 finishes within the top 5. Gary Nakauchi believes Kyle’s team has not enjoyed the same car speed as the top two drivers in this year’s playoffs, but he’s the type of driver who cannot be counted out whenever race fans see the number 8 on the track.
The final two drivers Gary Nakauchi believes have a chance to win the NASCAR playoffs, have not been the best of friends as of late. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson are amongst the most popular drivers in the sport. Larson is coming off one of the most dominant seasons in the sport's history. This year has been a different story for Larson. Despite visiting victory lane twice, the team at Hendrick Motorsports expects more out of number 5.
It's tough to repeat as champion, and despite qualifying for the playoffs, it seems unlikely that Larson will be able to get his car to the same level as the top drivers in the field.
At 42 years old, Denny Hamlin is most likely looking at one of the final seasons where he will have a legitimate opportunity to win the NASCAR playoffs. Most NASCAR racers will inevitably deal with a bit of decline toward their late 40s. While some may argue that NASCAR isn’t a sport on the same level as a professional football or basketball, it does require lighting quick reflexes and some serious endurance. Drivers typically start to fade from championship competition later in their careers. While Denny is consistently near the top of the leaderboard by the end of the race, he hasn’t shown the same consistent speed as Byron and Truex Jr.
There you have it. Gary Nakauchi believes these drivers have a legitimate chance to win this year’s playoffs. Other qualified drivers include Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney. These drivers are all enjoying solid years and are worth watching, but Gary thinks fans will likely need to wait until next year to see their dreams of a championship come true.
