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HomeCup SeriesPit Pass Network: 2023 Predictions

Pit Pass Network: 2023 Predictions

The entire staff of Pit Pass Network made their predictions for the 2023 racing season. These predictions are for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, IndyCar, and SRX. Predictions include each series champion, rookies of the year, and Championship Four drivers for each NASCAR series.

“Breakout Driver” is categorized as a driver who will surpass low-to-moderate expectations to be a top driver of the year. For example, Ross Chastain and Christopher Bell from 2022.

Robert Cwick Predictions

Image of Erik Jones
Erik Jones: Robert’s pick to be a playoff driver. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Busch

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Erik Jones

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Denny Hamlin

Daytona 500 Winner

Justin Haley

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

AJ Allmendinger

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Josh Berry, Austin Hill, and Brandon Jones

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Brandon Jones

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, and Matt Crafton

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Hailie Deegan

IndyCar Series

Champion

Scott McLaughlin

Driver with Most Wins

Alex Paulo

Indy 500 Winner

Will Power

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Matt DiBenedetto

Tiffany Faw Predictions

Joey Logano with Cup Series Championship trophy
Joey Logano: Tiffany’s pick to win back-to-back championships. Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

AJ Allmendinger

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Kyle Busch

Daytona 500 Winner

Brad Keselowski

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Erik Jones

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Josh Berry, Austin Hill, and John Hunter Nemechek

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Brandon Jones

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Ben Rhodes, Ty Majeski, and Grant Enfinger

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Chase Purdy

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Josef Newgarden

Indy 500 Winner

Will Power

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Kurt Busch

Jake Finch Predictions

Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon: Jake’s pick to win the IndyCar Championship, Indy 500, and most wins on the season. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Martin Truex Jr

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Cindric

Daytona 500 Winner

Brad Keselowski

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Ty Gibbs

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Sheldon Creed, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, and Justin Allgaier

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Sammy Smith

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Carson Hocevar, Ben Rhodes, and Matt Crafton

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Dye

Breakout Driver

Daniel Dye

IndyCar Series

Champion

Scott Dixon

Driver with Most Wins

Scott Dixon

Indy 500 Winner

Scott Dixon

SRX

SRX Champion

Bobby Labonte

Surprise Guest Driver

Mike Dillon

Griffin Fuller Predictions

Chandler Smith
Chandler Smith: Griffin’s pick to be the breakout driver in the Xfinity Series. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, and Kevin Harvick

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

AJ Allmendinger

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Cindric

Daytona 500 Winner

Ryan Blaney

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Ryan Preece

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Josh Berry, Cole Custer, Sam Mayer, and Austin Hill

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Chandler Smith

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Ty Majeski, Ben Rhodes, Carson Hocevar, and Zane Smith

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Dye

Breakout Driver

Carson Hocevar

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Will Power

Indy 500 Winner

Alexander Rossi

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Jimmie Johnson

Robert Hill Jr Predictions

Stewart Friesen
Stewart Friesen: Robert’s pick to claim the Craftsman Truck Series Championship. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, AJ Allmendinger, and Kevin Harvick

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

AJ Allmendinger

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Dillon

Daytona 500 Winner

Justin Haley

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Ryan Preece

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Josh Berry, Austin Hill, and John Hunter Nemechek

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Kaz Grala

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Stewart Friesen, Zane Smith, Ben Rhodes, and Matt Crafton

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Hailie Deegan

IndyCar Series

Champion

Pato O’Ward

Driver with Most Wins

Scott McLaughlin

Indy 500 Winner

Tony Kanaan

SRX

SRX Champion

Marco Andretti

Surprise Guest Driver

Stephen Nasse

Cash James Predictions

Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman: Cash’s pick to win the SRX Championship. Photo by Jason Miller/SRX/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Larson

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Brad Keselowski

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Alex Bowman

Daytona 500 Winner

Erik Jones

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Brad Keselowski

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Josh Berry, Austin Hill, Sheldon Creed, and Cole Custer

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Brandon Jones

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Ben Rhodes, Carson Hocevar, and Nick Sanchez

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Carson Hocevar

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Scott McLaughlin

Indy 500 Winner

Will Power

SRX

SRX Champion

Ryan Newman

Surprise Guest Driver

Terry Labonte

Terra Jones Predictions

Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell: Terra’s pick to claim his second Daytona 500 trophy. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Kyle Busch

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

AJ Allmendinger

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Dillon

Daytona 500 Winner

Michael McDowell

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Tyler Reddick

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Josh Berry, Daniel Hemric, John Hunter Nemechek, and Brandon Jones

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Jeffrey Earnhardt

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, and Ben Rhodes

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Dye

Breakout Driver

Daniel Dye

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Josef Newgarden

Indy 500 Winner

Josef Newgarden

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Dale Earnhardt Jr

Gregory Latham Predictions

Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick: Gregory’s pick to retire with a second Cup Series Championship. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Ross Chastain

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Martin Truex Jr

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Cindric

Daytona 500 Winner

Michael McDowell

Rookie of the Year

Noah Gragson

Breakout Driver

AJ Allmendinger

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Brandon Jones, Josh Berry, and Sheldon Creed

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Brandon Jones

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Ben Rhodes, Ty Majeski, Zane Smith, and Matt Crafton

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Hailie Deegan

IndyCar Series

Champion

Scott Dixon

Driver with Most Wins

Will Power

Indy 500 Winner

Will Power

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Kurt Busch

Casey Melvin Predictions

Cole Custer
Cole Custer: Casey’s pick to find redemption through a Xfinity Series Championship. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Brad Keselowski

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Ross Chastain

Daytona 500 Winner

Kevin Harvick

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Chase Briscoe

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Daniel Hemric, Justin Allgaier, and Parker Kligerman

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Anthony Alfredo

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Matt Crafton, Ben Rhodes, Zane Smith, and Corey Heim

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Chase Purdy

IndyCar Series

Champion

Scott Dixon

Driver with Most Wins

Will Power

Indy 500 Winner

Helio Castroneves

SRX

SRX Champion

Ryan Newman

Surprise Guest Driver

Carl Edwards

Justin Poley Predictions

Josef Newgarden
Josef Newgarden: Justin’s pick to win the IndyCar Championship. Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Chase Briscoe

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Ryan Preece

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Dillon

Daytona 500 Winner

Denny Hamlin

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Chase Briscoe

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Josh Berry, Austin Hill, and John Hunter Nemechek

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Chandler Smith

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Zane Smith, Ty Majeski, Ben Rhodes, and Grant Enfinger

Rookie of the Year

Daniel Dye

Breakout Driver

Taylor Gray

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Scott McLaughlin

Indy 500 Winner

Pato O’Ward

SRX

SRX Champion

Bobby Labonte

Surprise Guest Driver

Brad Keselowski

Daniel Smith Predictions

Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch: Daniel’s pick to miss the playoffs. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Bubba Wallace

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Kyle Busch

Daytona 500 Winner

Michael McDowell

Rookie of the Year

Ty Gibbs

Breakout Driver

Tyler Reddick

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier, John Hunter Nemechek, and Josh Berry

Rookie of the Year

Sammy Smith

Breakout Driver

Sammy Smith

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Grant Enfinger, Zane Smith, Ben Rhodes, and Ty Majeski

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Chase Purdy

IndyCar Series

Champion

Josef Newgarden

Driver with Most Wins

Josef Newgarden

Indy 500 Winner

Colten Herta

SRX

SRX Champion

Tony Stewart

Surprise Guest Driver

Ron Capps

Jane Waldrop Predictions

Noah Gragson
Noah Gragson: Jane’s pick to win Cup Series Rookie of the Year. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NASCAR Cup Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Busch

Driver Who Will Make the Playoff Who Did Not in 2022

Martin Truex Jr

Driver Who Will Miss the Playoff Who Did in 2022

Austin Cindric

Daytona 500 Winner

Tyler Reddick

Rookie of the Year

Noah Gragson

Breakout Driver

Chase Briscoe

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Josh Berry, Daniel Hemric, John Hunter Nemechek, and Cole Custer

Rookie of the Year

Parker Retzlaff

Breakout Driver

Jeffrey Earnhardt

Craftsman Truck Series

Championship Four (champion in bold)

Carson Hocevar, Matt DiBenedetto, Chase Purdy, and Nick Sanchez

Rookie of the Year

Nick Sanchez

Breakout Driver

Hailie Deegan

IndyCar Series

Champion

Romain Grosjean

Driver with Most Wins

Alex Palou

Indy 500 Winner

Marco Andretti

SRX

SRX Champion

Ryan Newman

Surprise Guest Driver

Dale Earnhardt Jr

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