Christmas is coming, and NASCAR drivers write letters to Santa too! Here is a quick peak at what the 2020 Playoff Contenders wanted to make their 2021 even better than 2020.
Chase Elliott- More Road Courses... When you win the championship it's hard find a gift better than that, but Chase is by far the best road course racer in the Cup Series. NASCAR has already scheduled seven points paying road course races in 2021, but the more the merrier for Chase.
Joey Logano- Tj Majors Life Time Contract... Tj Majors spotting for Joey Logano is what got him to the Championship Four. Logano blocked Harvick for roughly forty laps at Kansas which essentially eliminated Harvick from advancing, and helped him advance.
Brad Keselowski- A Better Pit Crew... Brad's pit crew folded when he needed them most, routinely bad pit stops in the championship race at Phoenix putting him behind every Championship Four Contender every pit stop.
Denny Hamlin- A Championship... This one is low hanging fruit, but its true. Back to back seasons where he was one of the two best drivers of the season, and comes up short. Denny is entering his age forty season so regression is coming its time he gets his ring.
Kevin Harvick- A Return To Winston Cup Points... Another easy one, but Harvick was head and shoulders the best driver all season. An unlucky Round of 8 lead to Harvick's shocking elimination from the playoffs. Had the Winston Cup points been in place Harvick is a dominant champion.
Martin Truex Jr.- Cole Pearn Back... 2020 was a solid season for MTJ, but for the first time since 2016 Truex did not make the final four. COVID might’ve hurt Truex’s first year with James Small, but either way Pearn’s experience with Truex would be a huge advantage with limited practice at tracks. Go get Peaen back.
Alex Bowman- A Multiyear Contract...2020 was the best season of Alex Bowman’s career. He won at Auto Club, made the Round of 8 and even appeared to be a legit title contender. In March Alex Bowman signed a one year extension and has taken of the legendary 48 car, but he will be a free agent in 2021. Give Bowman job security.
Kurt Busch- Return To Title Contention… As the sunset on Kurt Busch’s career continues since moving to CGR he has significantly out performed the expectations of that 1 car. Albeit unlikely Kurt Busch should get one more good run at a championship.
Kyle Busch- To End 2020… This is the most realistic gift on the list. With 2020 ending less than a week after Christmas Kyle Busch will be the most excited driver in the garage. 2020 was a struggle for Kyle Busch plagued by the lack of practice KFB only won one Cup race and that was the fall Texas race after being eliminated from the playoffs.
Austin Dillon- Earn Playoff Points…AD has had some big wins throughout his career… most notably the 2018 Daytona 500, but 2020 was arguably his best year yet. He earned his way to the Round of 12 after a win at Texas earned him a spot in the playoffs. Dillon just needs more playoff points to make advancing easier.
Aric Almirola- Wins...Almirola was one of the most consistent drivers in 2020, and consistency will get you in the playoffs, but not far. Winning races will elevate Almurola to a title contender.
Cole Custer- Consistency... Custer’s rookie season had a peak with his win at Kentucky, and a lot of just not putting races together. Custer will get better in 2021, and this was arguably the hardest season ever to be a rookie. Making the playoffs is a great start for him and next year he needs to be more consistently a top 10 threat.
Ryan Blaney- Finish Races ...This was another hard gift. A driver who seems to win the craziest race of the season. Blaney established himself as a top tier Super Speedway driver with a win at Talladega in June. Blaney’s season ended with a shocking exit in the Round of 16. Blaney needs to finish races the way he starts them… up front.
Matt DiBenedetto- A Win...This is a double gift. Matty D already knows he will be replaced by Austin Cindric in 2022. If he wins next season it will be the Wood Brothers 100th win, and a very popular win at that. Matty D needs the win to make a case for a new year to sign him, and a win could get him a better ride than the Wood Brothers.
William Byron- To Be A Legit Contender… A driver who has shown all the potential in the world needs to take the next step. After getting his first win at Daytona in August William Byron needs to get to the Round of 8. I think making that Round shows he’s a legit contender and will be a nice building block for Byron heading into 2022.
Clint Bowyer- Another Chiefs Super Bowl… I could gift him a wonderful retirement, but he’s already earned that, so I will gift back to back Super Bowl wins for Clint’s beloved Kansas City Chiefs.