Reacting to My Pre-Season NASCAR Playoff Predictions - 2022 Edition 

Eric was pretty bold on his playoff predictions… the fact that he guessed that 16 drivers would make the playoffs correct is insane

Nicely done. Probably my favorite part of your race day analysis is the “Groovy Gauge”. Have you ever thought of averaging the gauge over the course of the season to get a gauge if you will, of how our season has been? I think it would be a cool barometer. I’m usually in agreement with your rating.

In my personal opinion, I think think after the HUGE penalty to Brad K's car/team, I feel like he's trying out different things with the setup on his car to see what works while Christopher Buscher has a more traditional setup. I mean, If I was running RFK and knew that the 6 car would need a win to get into the playoffs, which is highly unlikely, I'd probably do some experimentation with setups to see if I could find that magic setup that elevates the team as a whole.

We've had like 15 regular season winners. But also the Allstar race and the duels were won by different winners. So like 18 winners this season. Insane

Let’s not forget that Keslowski had that massive penalty earlier in the year that probably hurt him to some extent as well

Everyone criticized content creators. On these speculation topics, you, critiquing yourself makes this fun to watch. Good stuff man

I laughed out loud when you said “these darn RU-vidrs with their trolling for time”🤣🤣

The pain of the playoff system. I feel for you @JGR4LIFE I was in the same scenario with KH when he was sacrificed for the system in 2020.

Very impressed. Certainly shows how well you know NASCAR Eric. With the change to next gen car this year you still nailed the playoff drivers very well. Nicely done.

Don’t feel bad about MTJ : Who saw 2 cars in the top 5 in points needed to point their way in the playoffs.

It’s cool seeing your transparency! I appreciate this it was fun to watch. 5:54 and I agree with this as well.

I know Byron is the #4 seed right now, but I don't see him making it out of the first round, he has been a mid pack driver at best since the summer started.

Don’t beat yourself Eric! It’s so hard to pick who gets in from season to season so you did an outstanding job in my opinion!

Good stuff. Very close on predictions. Can whole heartedly agree on the listening to your oven voice editing. It’s a weird thing most wouldn’t understand. Lol.

13/16: had Kurt Busch, Brad K and Truex in Missed: Dillon, Suarez and Cindric

Accurate prediction but if truex made the playoffs would’ve made it one of the best

I know you want to include Kurt, but then you'd have to not count Blaney since Blaney would have been out without Kurt foregoing his waver

I think because Brad started the season with such a huge point penalty, they decided to just experiment this year with different setups and stuff that they probably would not have otherwise. I look for Brad to be in the playoffs next year.

Solid guesses you made there Eric. Now I’m interested to see how these drivers will do in the playoffs.

1. I had Truex in Easy. 2. I had Austin Cindric winning a race as a Rookie but not the Daytona 500. 3. I had Chase Briscoe & Daniel Suárez winning their 1st cup win. 4. I didn't pick Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain make the playoff. 5. I had Kurt Busch making the playoff.

One of my favorite videos of the year

Truex hasn't been the same driver since Cole Pearn left as crew cheif they just clicked so well together

In the beginning of the year Steve letart he predicted Martin Truex would not make the playoffs said he wouldn't get a win sick

Finally the video I’ve been waiting for

I went 14 for 16 surprisingly. I missed Kurt and truex out and chastain and Suarez in. I knew I was an idiot for leaving chastain out. Also suprised I got Austin Dillon. I thought with the next gen both rcr cars were gonna be fast and I thought Dillon was gonna point himself in

I said Austin Dillon was going to make it in the comments of the preseason predictions. Yes, I was the person who told nascar not to throw a yellow so the 15 cars in front of him would crash and he would win in the final regular season race.

I only got 12 out of 16 right, but I went out on a limb before the season started and said Truex would miss the playoffs, so I did get that right, as unbelievable as it is that he missed.

I went 13 for 16, I thought Truex, McDowell, and Brad would make it in. Instead Chastain, Dillon, Suarez, and Bell proved my ass wrong 12/16 if we count Kurt Busch dropping out

Truex's season was insanely similar to Logano's 2017 campign. Logano won but it was encumbered and his points didn't go. The team was so inconsistent just like Truex this year, both missed out. Both in 17th after a Final 4 charge, close to the title too.

The 150 points penalty really put keselowski behind the 8 ball so early in the season, plus the inconsistency in his finishes really sealed his fate this year. He'll be back next year

I’ve been waiting for this video since you posted the original

You got the vast majority of your predictions right and the Austin Dillon thing was unexpected. However Kurt's concussion changed the scenario because otherwise, Blaney would have been left out. Nobody thought that Cindric, Briscoe and Suarez would win which creates an interesting scenario.

Really impressed that I managed to get 14/16, guessed Bubba and Truex would make it over Cindric and Dillon. Predicted 17 different winners in the first 26 races _(predicted Keselowski would win Talladega but still miss the playoffs)_ and almost got that on the nose too.

I would technically give him kurt in the predictions since he would be if he was ready to return. No one saw the qualifying incident at pocono happening. Get well soon kurt

Reacting to your own troll got me dying 😂. Now you know how it feels

I’m a Truex Jr fan so I might be a little biased here…. That being said, I think NASCAR should consider a new rule where if you are in the top 5 in the final regular season standings, you should be locked into the playoffs. IMO

Playoffs reseeding:: Top 10 in points locked in ; 6 win and your in ::: if necessary filled next highest in points

At least his pre season Chase predictions isn't as outdated and bad as last year tbh

I had the same exact playoff predictions as Eric did. I guess I got 13.5 drivers correct also. I didn't see Cindric winning the Daytona 500, Keselowski running so horribly (even without the 100 pt penalty for his standards), Truex missing (of course because of the dumb points system), and Suarez making it. Suarez winning at Sonoma and making the playoffs was probably the least surprising to me out of our predictions.

I went 11.5/16. Had Truex, Almirola, Kurt Busch (but I only gave myself .5 off for that), Keselowski, and Wallace in, missed on Chastain, Suarez, Cindric, Briscoe, and Dillon

I got 10 out of my 16 drivers I had predicted back before the Daytona 500. The ones I got wrong were Martin Truex Jr. (come on, we all had him going to the playoffs very easily), Aric Almirola (who I predicted would get in by winning the regular season finale at Daytona), Brad Keselowski (who had the worst season since his first year at Penske), Kurt Busch (and no, I don't count the owner's points standings as counting towards the playoff standings), Erik Jones (who had some bright spots here and there, but could not win a road course like I had predicted), and Michael McDowell (who had a better season than the year he actually made the playoffs). The ones I missed who actually made it in were Austin Cindric (I never thought he would win the Daytona 500), Chase Briscoe (while I was half right on my thinking he would still struggle this year, I didn't have him winning a race), Austin Dillon (I didn't think he'd even be close), Ross Chastain (I knew he would be good someday, but I didn't even think it was going to be this year), Daniel Suarez (same with Ross Chastain) and Christopher Bell (I had him taking a step back from last year).

I feel Bubba will make the playoffs next year also. Ions shot since he have no wins yet this year but the potential is definitely there.

I know Eric was disappointed with some of his picks/ non picks but only missing 2 of 16 is fantastic for a preseason prediction. Great picks Eric!!

Blaney’s situation gave me a stress headache, dang win and in. Glad Harvick made it. Took his time. Hopefully on a roll. Glad my guys are in and thank you Kurt. With every new winner and my faves dragging it was my most stressful season ever. I wish they would go back to old system where points mattered most and best drivers made it in. Dang you Austin Dillon!

I made some playoff predictions at the start of the year and I got about 14 correct! With the exception of Martin and Brad

I love these recap videos

Here was my predictions in the comments of your video in January: Larson ✅️ Elliott ✅️ Byron ✅️ Bowman ✅️ Ky Busch ✅️ Hamlin ✅️ Truex ❌️ Bell ✅️ Logano ✅️ Blaney ✅️ Cindric ✅️ Ku Busch ⭕️ Keselowski ❌️ Harvick ✅️ Briscoe ✅️ Chastain ✅️ I got the same drivers wrong funnily enough as you, so I got the same score of 13.5. I'm missing Reddick, Suarez, & Dillon. Looking back, it was pretty stupid of me to not put any of the RCR cars in

Can't wait for Darlington baby!! Playoff Nascar let's go!!!

It's a tragedy that Corey lajoie didn't make it

Ho-li-phuque that's amazing!! You know your NASCAR buddy!

13.5 out of 16 = 84% where i went to school thats a passing & good grade.you did well eric.

Great foresight and video!

I don't remember for sure all of my pre-season predictions, but I know I had Truex and Kurt Busch in. I am putting an asterisk next to Busch because no one can predict injuries. I think I did not have Daniel Suarez or Chase Briscoe in. I figured Brad K would not do as good with Roush as with Penske, but I thought he would at least out run Buescher. I just can't remember if I had him in the playoffs or not, or who I would have replaced him with. My best guess is that I got 13 out of 16 right, +/-1.

To be fair on Brad K, making it on points I think was already out the window after the 500, considering the 100 point penalty they've dealt with. I think if it wasn't for the penalty, I think he would've at least be in better contention points wise by Daytona 400. Because it were to seem that they've been slowly, and I mean SLOWLY starting to get things figured out considering how well and competitive the 17 car has been the past couple of races. While Brad, well, while not getting the same results, but if the 17 is showing speed and some kinds of competitiveness that's a positive.

People are really sleeping on Kevin Harvick these playoffs. He’s a serious threat for the championship 4. Him and Rodney Childers have hit on something with the new car.

I said at the beginning of the year: 1. Austin Cindric 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Kyle Larson 4. Tyler Reddick 5. Chase Elliott 6. Aric Almirola 7. Denny Hamlin 8. Ryan Blaney 9. Chase Briscoe 10. Kyle Busch 11. Martin Truex Jr 12. Christopher Bell 13. Joey Logano 14. William Byron 15. Kurt Busch 16. Alex Bowman I got 13/16 correct. I underestimated Trackhouse too, but I did say that Ross would come close. I had Kurt, but of course I did not think he would be injured. I did not have Austin Dillon in, and until it rained in turn 1 last week, I was looking good. Aric Almirola kind of let me down. And the only one who called Truex missing the Playoffs was Steve Letarte, lol.

You were pretty dead on. I'm giving you Kurt. I'm still sad about him being out. I'm also shocked that MTJ didn't make it in. The luck the JGR cars have had all year has just been terrible. I mean I guess 5 wins (could have been a bunch more had they not consistently beat themselves) for Toyota isn't bad with only 6 cars in the field.

Chastain was a bold pick at the start of the season. I don't think anyone had him being so frigging fast every week. I mean, sure, he's probably spent just as much time wrecking as racing, but that's not 100% his fault. I think he built a reputation for himself early in the season, especially after that dustup with Hamlin, and from then on out he's been fair game for the field. As much as he does make the sort of boneheaded mistakes you'd expect from an overly aggressive driver not used to racing up at the front, a lot of folks seem intent on wrecking themselves off of him just for shits and giggles. Toyotas especially.

I think u did really good on your pics

Hamlin season has just been bad luck at bad times. I think with the playoffs starting, top 16 drivers gunna have the first 16 spots to start the race I think he’ll be ok and really should win Darlington. No one has been as dominating as he has been there

Very Well done, I only had 9 right. Keep up the great job!

Rauch was probably worse than he thought. I think that he never really recovered from crashing his jet at the Oshkosh airshow and that left RF rudderless.

I agree with the C. Bell point. I actually think if a JGR guy makes it he will be the one. (Also I'm very proud that my prediction that Truex would miss was accurate. Can't believe that happened)

Great job and I don’t feel like your misses were unreasonable misses. Suarez was knocking on the door I feel like but was fringe at best. Truex, I think shocked everyone. Brad, I feel like the switch highlights how bad RFK is and has been lately compared to Penske. I’d unfortunately like to see the qualifying for the playoffs change. A hybrid of points and wins both being extremely important. 1-5 in the points make it to the playoffs even if winless. Then 6-16 are in by wins/points. Wins get you in unless tied then it’s off of points. I think that would offer a compromise that rewards consistency like the pre-playoff era and the wins mean a lot playoff era.

It’ll be fun watching the Austin Bros battling for 16th place in points

You did pretty good, Eric. Considering the new car and the uncertainty with that.

You had good picks tho, just missed most at Keselowski. Got Chastain and Dillon right, that was cool.

My preseason predictions had Briscoe and Cindric both winning at road courses to lock themselves in, Truex in because it's Martin Truex Jr, Austin out, Suarez out, Brad not making it

I would be willing to bet that RFK put more money into Chris, knowing that even if they got into the playoffs with the 6 car that they wouldn't likely make it out of the first round

Only 2 drivers outside top 16 in points got in. If they didn't we would have Truex and Jones in. Which is crazy for a RPM car but hella impressed by that team

I had similar results. I got Truex, Keselowski wrong and Kurt Busch half wrong. Instead of Chastain, I got Cindric. Considered Chastain and Briscoe.

Damn Eric u got good predictions on nascar two out playoff Martin truex jr and brad

Imagine if Buescher, LaJoie, Cody Ware, Wallace, Jones, McDowell or Stenhouse won a race taken a win away from the ones who have multiple wins? Justin Haley was another one that came close to win as well.If they have more than 16 drivers win? Blaney is out. Who ever the lowest ones in points could be out as well. Cindric may be the one out looking in since his win at Daytona 500? He have dropped off big time and dropped in the points. He was not as strong at all for a lot of the races.

I also did my too early predictions. I was wrong on MTJ, Brad K, and Ku Busch (that's half wrong!) I didn't have Christopher Bell, Austin Dillion, or Ross Chastain. Everyone else I was on the money! (Which I'm blown away by)

Eric. Don’t beat yourself up, as 13 out of 16 is really good prediction, especially the new car

Lot of people had Martin Truex Jr winning 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship and Had 7 Stage wins and Failed to make the playoffs it's time to make a change if you are in the top 10 in points you should Automatically be in

Byron nearly had his third win at Richmond and Lagono punting him would have been his fourth.

I also forgot you put Austin Dillon into the playoffs! 😂

That’s 3 and half wrong except Kurt Busch who has won at Kansas, however, he got head concussions and he’s out of the playoffs through rest of the season. So that’s total of 13.5 out of 16, Eric!

You were really close! Wow! Next year pick 17 as a might make it.

Yea my grid busted like my March madness does every year 🤣

I'm still shocked that Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski missed the Chase.

I wish the playoffs format had 2 wins to get in instead of 1 to make harder

Eric, how long have you been covering Nascar?

Should drivers who finish in the top 5 in the regular season standings be guaranteed a playoff spot? I think it would ultimately strengthen the playoff field and create more drama. It also puts an emphasis on running consistently, not solely on winning.

I only missed two. I had Truex and Justin Haley in instead of Suarez and Chastain.

The Austin Dillion pick is definitely surprising. I went bold at the beginning of the season and said Kurt Busch final 4 but that can't happen now. Just a crazy season. Great racing where we normally see average racing at best. The one track most fans look forward to we saw the worst racing in decades, that being Martinsville. My championship 4: 1Chase 2Chastain 3Logono 4Bell

Byron has had one top 10 since his win at Martinsville, I believe. I think a 10th? at Sonoma? Going off of memory here. But like one top 10 in 19 races or so. Abysmal.

Matt Lowne Space This Week background music for the outro?

When is the paint schemes/liveries review?

If you ever go to Vegas, be sure to have your return flight pre paid. LOL

Every year I watch the way too early playoff predictions then I see this video and think "Oh yeah I Eric made a predictions video"

If anyone said Truex wouldn’t be in, they’re lyin! Nobody went 16 for 16. You did amazingly well considering the new car

Still laugh at anyone who had Brad in the playoffs

Havnt finished the video yet but if ur counting Kurt Busch u can’t count blaney then

I would absolutely count Kurt Busch because technically he did and would’ve been in it, if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

I think Keselowski put the better team on the 17 car. Hopefully for his sake makes some changes and improve next year.

I had Bubba Wallace sneaking in with a win this year, sucks to be proven wrong but pleasantly surprised and then sad about Kurt Busch

Kurt's situation kinda screwed things up and injuries cant really be predicted, so you could argue that 17 cars technically qualified for the playoffs. Yeah, Kurt had to drop out which is why Ryan Blaney made it in, but... Blaney made it in the end. And Kurt technically still qualified even if he wont be competing. So, I'm gonna say you got the full 14 instead of 13 1/2.

If you give Brad is 100 points back I believe he is like 20 points ahead (might be behind) Christopher Buescher