To The Front in 2023-Part 2: Where Do the Breakout Picks Sit?

Back before the 2023 season, we took a look at two drivers from each of NASCAR’s major series who could have a breakout or career year in 2023…but where do these drivers sit after the early season races?

NASCAR Cup Series (after 8 races):

Tyler Reddick: 

Tyler Reddick and his #45 23XI Racing team headed into this season looking for make an impact. As 2023 began to roll, Reddick and crew got off to somewhat of a rough start though. 

The first two races of season in Daytona and California did not go well for the 45 team, as accidents would relegate Reddick to finishes of 39th and 34th. These results were followed by a Top 15 in Las Vegas…then Reddick and his #45 Monster Energy Toyota began rolling.

The next two races would bring the 45 crew Top 5 Finishes in Atlanta and Phoenix, which were then followed by a dominating win on the COTA road course. Following COTA, Reddick has finishes of 16th in Richmond and 2nd in Bristol.

Despite the unexpectedly rough beginning, Reddick and 23XI seem to be on pace to have a very good year, and should still be considered to be a playoff contender.

Ryan Preece: 

When Ryan Preece joined the #41 Stewart-Haas Racing Cup team before the season began, hopes were high. After a good run during the Clash, Preece experienced fuel pump issues that ultimately sidelined him…this would foreshadow how 2023 would go for Preece and the 41 team.

Dubbed to have untapped potential, Preece replaced Cole Custer in at attempt to right the ship. Results however have been not much better, as Preece has also struggled to find speed. Beginning with finishes of 36th and 33rd due to accidents in Daytona and California, Preece has struggled to even break the Top 20 most weeks, with a best finish of 12th in Phoenix, as well as an 18th in Richmond.

The hype surrounding the start of the season for the 41 team has quickly diminished. Previously viewed as a driver who could make some waves in 2023, results have almost instead mirrored Custer’s results. Preece and SHR have much work to do if they have any hope of making the Round of 12.

NASCAR Xfinity Series (after 7 races):

Kaz Grala:

 Grala and his #26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota team have gotten off to a decent start in 2023. The talented driver embarked on his first full-time Xfinity Series run this season, and has made the most of his opportunity so far, despite some bad luck.

While results have not reflected the speed Grala has had most weeks, there have been definite flashes of what could be coming. Daytona did not go as hoped for the #26 Toyota and Grala, as he would finish 32nd due to an accident. Daytona was followed by decent runs the next two races, and two more finishes outside of the Top 30 in Phoenix and Atlanta.

COTA and Richmond could be the start of Grala’s season, as he finished 18th at COTA, and a strong 4th the following week in Richmond. 

Grala does have a bit of a learning curve as he has not attempted a full schedule until this season, but his speed has proved he will not let that hamper him. While a playoff run seems like it could be a year away, a Top 15 points finish is certainly a possibility. Through 7 races, Grala sits 20th in the standings with one Top 5 finish.

Brandon Jones:

 When Brandon Jones joined JR Motorsports before 2023 began, Jones was pinpointed as a breakout driver this year after several playoff runs with Joe Gibbs Racing. This was also combined with Jones taking over the reigns of the #9 JR Motorsports that Noah Gragson drove to 9 wins in 2022. 

Jones had a solid beginning with JR Motorsports in Daytona, qualifying 11th. Jones brought his #9 Menards Chevrolet home 14th that day, solidifying that Jones could be a threat again this season. Results quickly fell off starting in California however, as Jones has struggled to maintain a Top 20 finish most weeks, despite the speed shown. Through the season’s first seven races, Jones’ best finish has been an 11th at COTA.

What should have been a possible career year in 2023, instead has begun to already fall apart. With an average finish of only 20th thus far, Jones and the #9 team may have eliminated themselves from the Round of 12 this season already….only time will tell. 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES (after 6 races):

Christian Eckes:

 When Eckes signed with the #19 McAnally-Hilgemann team for 2023, expectations were relatively low. While Eckes was a solid playoff contender with ThorSport, the #19 team was a bottom Top 10 team with former driver Derek Kraus.

With the team retaining sponsor NAPA AutoCare, Eckes only has to focus on performance, and that seems to have already paid off. Scoring Top 10’s in both Daytona and Las Vegas. These results were followed by getting the 19 team their first win in Atlanta. After such a  strong start, Eckes has two 30th-place finishes in COTA and Bristol, as well as a 15th in Texas.

While Eckes has had a bit of a roller-coaster season, the performance of the 19 team has greatly improved still as Eckes sits 5th in the standings. The team has developed and jelled quickly, making Eckes a strong contender for a playoff spot again this year.

HAILIE DEEGAN: 

When Hailie Deegan joined the #13 ThorSport team this season, it was seen as potentially being the key to unlock Deegan’s potential. While there have been some flashes of that, Deegan has struggled to gain a footing with her new team.

The struggles began immediately in Daytona, as Deegan would place her #13 Ford 12th on the grid. In what should have been a strong run, instead resulted in an accident that relegated Deegan to a 35th place, going out after only 28 laps. This was followed by a 32nd place in Las Vegas, and a 12th in Atlanta. Deegan had Top 20 finishes in COTA and Bristol, as well as a 6th in an accident-plagued Texas race.

The 13 team and Deegan certainly have some work to do heading into the heart of the 2023 season, as things do not seem to have jelled as well as hoped. Deegan has seen some criticism this season regarding aggression, which has also mixed with an uptick in overall series aggression. If results do not turn around quickly, Deegan could be fighting to stay in the Top 15 by seasons end.