The Main on Trey with Trey Campbell

The Main on Trey with Trey Campbell

I am Trey Campbell, your motorsports expert. I hope to provide great information to all racing fans whether new or old. Full Bio

 

NASCAR Championship Race Preview

After 36 weeks, it all comes down to this. It's race 36 of 36 and only four drivers remain as a championship hangs in the balance. From flipped racecars, drivers riding the wall, first time winners, anything you can imagine 2022 has had everything and more. It has been one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. Here are the four drivers who will race for a title.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship - Practice

Photo: Getty Images

Joey Logano: Odds to win title +300: The 2018 Cup Champion had a great 2022 with three victories, ten top fives, and 597 laps led and He punched his ticket to the championship race after winning at Las Vegas earlier this month.

To many, he would be considered the heavy favorite considering his success at this race track. He has the second highest average finish among all active drivers since 2019 and has led the highest percentage of laps as well not to mention his victory here back in 2020.

If you have been watching NASCAR for a while, it's strange to consider Joey a veteran. It seems like just yesterday that he was stepping into the nearly impossible role of replacing Tony Stewart at Joe Gibbs back in 2009. The Connecticut phenom has done a great job of growing over these last thirteen years. There have been plenty of growing pains down the line but he has become a champion and will be searching for his second come Sunday.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship - Practice

Photo: Getty Images

Chase Elliott: Odds to win title +187: It has been a career season for Chase Elliott, five victories, twelve top fives and 857 laps led. There is no doubt that Chase is the most deserving of a championship but as we know it comes down to Sunday. Luckily, the sports most popular driver has been in this position before back in 2020 when he won the title then. One thing that has plagued him this year has been his horrific luck. There had been races where he had everyone covered but something would go wrong like a flat tire or an untimely caution that would cost him the victory but luckily, this is a good track for him as he's led 17 percent of the laps run here since 2019. Since taking over for Jeff Gordon in 2015, racing for championships has been Elliott's destiny. He has been molded by some of the greatest drivers of all time, from his father Bill to Jimmie Johnson. They have all had a hand in helping him get to his first title and now he has a shot to do it again.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship - Practice

Photo: Getty Images

Christopher Bell: Odds to win title: +275: After a massive win at Martinsville, Christopher Bell is on a heater. It hasn't been easy for him as he like Chase Elliott has had some horrible luck in 2022. At Vegas, he had a fast car but was swept up in a crash caused by Bubba Wallace that put him 33 points behind the cut-off. To make things worse, his car was mediocre at Homestead as he had to settle for an 11th place finish. With his back against the wall, he came back to win and punch his ticket to the championship race. The Norman Oklahoma driver has shown he can win at every level of racing he's been on and has been rewarded with a long-term contract extension at Joe Gibbs Racing. Aside from Kyle Larson, Bell is one of the most talented drivers in the country. No matter what you put him in he can drive the wheels off it and now he will be driving for his first championship at the top level. He will carry the banner for Toyota and Joe Gibbs come Sunday. He's pulled off clutch victories twice this season at the Roval and Martinsville and he will need another one to win the championship.

NASCAR Championship 4 Media Day

Photo: Getty Images

Ross Chastain: Odds to win Title +300: Throughout his career, success has not come easy for Ross Chastain. He's had to fight for this opportunity and no one has earned it more than he has. Back in 2019, Chastain was driving for the fledgling Premium Racing. His average finish back then was 28.2 that year which is incredible considering how slow that car was. By many, he was considered a journeyman driver with a lot of talent, but not enough money to run with the powerhouse teams like Hendrick. It wasn't till Chip Ganassi gave him a chance to drive his Xfinity car that season that we truly got a chance to see just how good he was. His tenacity has got him here but it's also hurt him as well. He has raced hard and caused some accidents that has upset many of his peers but no one has shown more determination than Chastain. He started the year on a roll with a top-3 finish in four of the first six races and captured his first career win at COTA back in May. In the playoffs, his great pace continued with an average finish of 10.5 the highest of the four drivers racing for a title. Because of this format, Chastain appeared to be out at Martinsville as he was four points behind Denny Hamlin. It looked like the clock was about to strike midnight on a Cindrealla season but then on a hail marry, Chastain pulled off one of the greatest moves in sports history. Coming to the checkered flag, he would drive into the wall and hold the car wide open. Because of this he would pass the four cars needed and punch his ticket to the championship race. He will be my driver that I am predicting to win the title come Sunday.


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