2021 Cup Series Overview: Drivers to watch

Lionel Racing

    There are some drivers, that I think will have a successful NASCAR Cup Series season in 2021. A few are big names in motorsports, but some are not so well known. I believe that for some, this will be their year to hone the racing skills they have learned in the past years and practice. 

Championship Contenders:

• Kevin Harvick is one to watch after he won 9 races in 2020, but was eliminated in the Round of 8. So, he could be a championship contender in 2021.
• Brad Keselowski should not be forgotten about, because he had a multiple-win season, plus a Championship 4 appearance. 
• Joey Logano has a possibility to make it to the final round, as he did in 2020, but I'm not 100% sure on how far he will take himself this time around.
• Ryan Blaney, maybe, could sneak his way into competition for the championship, but would have to improve quite a bit.
• Chase Elliott has 7 road courses to try and win this year, this means he has a good chance at making winning back-to-back championships, although there is a lot of stress on him this year. For that reason, he might have a tough time living up to his expectations. 
• Martin Truex, Jr. had a decent 2020 season, but made lot of mistakes too. If he and the No. 19 team can work out the kinks, he could have himself an excellent 2021 season.

Other Drivers to Watch:

• Bubba Wallace has a chance of winning his first career Cup win in 2021, especially in 23XI Racing Toyota Development equipment. Although whether he decides to buckle down, and make something out this opportunity, that is another story.
• Tyler Reddick had a good chance at winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2020, but lost it to Cole Custer. This year, could be Reddick's year to win his first career Cup victory. 
• Austin Dillon took home a win and made his way to the Round of 12 last year. But I think 2021 has something in store for the Richard Childress Racing driver, and possibly his teammate too!
• Ross Chastain has a lot more Cup Series racing experience than all of the Rookie Of The Year contenders for 2021. But cannot race for the award, as he was a part of the 2018 rookie class. I think it’s safe to say he will do well season.
• Christopher Bell didn't win in 2020, but with a 2-time champion crew-chief on top of the box, he has a good run coming for 2021.
• Erik Jones may have had a downgrade in his equipment, but could bring Richard Petty Motorsports back to victory lane in 2021.

Drivers who could have an abnormal season:

• Denny Hamlin will be juggling between being a team-owner and racing for another team. This means he will have his hands full, trying to finish in a good position every race, and trying to help his own team succeed with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel. I just hope that the stress levels, don't take a huge toll on him, or Hamlin could experience an abnormal year.
• Kyle Busch had a really bad 2020 season, especially since he was the defending champion! It almost reminded me of this! His NASCAR Career is slowly coming to a close, as I have a feeling that he will not be a championship contender in 2021, or any time soon.