The 2026 NASCAR season just wrapped up a couple of days ago, but we’re already staring down the barrel of 2027, and the biggest shake-up coming is the new body for the Fords. Everyone saw how a new body threw the Chevrolets for a loop in the first half of 2026, even before Kyle Larson went on his insane late-season surge. This new body is expected to be a real challenge for Ford drivers right out of the gate.
The Ford Challenge and Rising Stars
Joey Logano, who snagged the third-most points in The Chase, is pegged at ninth, and it’s all because of this new Ford body. He had a slow start in 2026 even without changes, so it’s a real concern for 2027. Right above him at eighth is Blaney, who ranked sixth in points scored in The Chase. He’s got that sweet feeling of winning the season finale two years running, and if he hadn’t been brake-checked at Martinsville, he would have been top five over the final 10 races. The “On The Verge” list is stacked too, with guys like Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar, and Daniel Suárez all looking to make a big move. Then you’ve got Wallace, who went winless in 2026 but still clawed his way to 10th in Chase points, showing up when it counts. Gibbs, the only driver outside the top 10 in Chase points (he was 11th) to make this early list, is banking on another year of growth and maturity to launch him.
Middle of the Pack With Serious Momentum
William Byron finished eighth in points earned in The Chase, but his late-season run was pure fire: a win at Martinsville and a third at Homestead. That kind of momentum, especially with his strong runs at superspeedways like Daytona and Atlanta, which kick off the season, puts him firmly in the mix. Briscoe, who impressively won back-to-back races in The Chase, still only ranked eighth among Chase drivers in points over the final 10 races. An engine failure at Homestead cut short his race, or he might have been looking at a third Chase victory. And then there’s the defending Daytona 500 winner, who absolutely tore it up with a series-best six wins in 2026. No other driver even hit four wins, and he earned the fifth-most points in The Chase. This team found their rhythm late in the year after an epic start to the 2026 season.
The Top Dogs: Bell, Hamlin, and Larson’s Unstoppable Surge
When you look at the top, putting Bell at third and Hamlin at second is really about what we expect from Hamlin. Bell only had one win in 2026, even with his undeniable race-winning speed multiple times, but he did rank second in Chase points and is definitely a championship threat for 2027. Hamlin, though, is gearing up for what’s expected to be his final full season of racing. He’s going to be “gloves-off,” with an attitude of taking more than he gives, and that’s going to make him incredibly dangerous. Will it finally get him that elusive Cup title? We’ll have to see. But the real story here, the one that should have everyone scrambling, is Kyle Larson. He earned a staggering 100 points more than any other driver in The Chase, except for Bell, who he still outscored by 54 points. Larson’s late-season surge in 2026 was a preview of what’s coming, and it looks like he’s going to be unstoppable.
The 2027 season is going to kick off with a bang at Daytona and Atlanta. With new car bodies for the Fords and drivers like Hamlin ready to go all-out in his potential final season, not to mention Larson’s undeniable late-season dominance, it’s going to be a wild ride. Get ready, because this is just the beginning.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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