Did You Notice?… The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season has been defined by a series of near misses?
The latest one came Sunday (June 5) when Kyle Busch seemed to have a win in the bag at World Wide Technology Raceway only to lose it in NASCAR overtime to Joey Logano. Busch appeared to have the edge with brother Kurt behind him, but a miscommunication between the two kept them from pushing each other on the final restart, giving Logano and Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney the advantage on the inside line.
It’s just the latest close finish this year, as 12 of 15 races in 2022 have featured a lead change within the last 10 laps. But what’s even more unique about this season, and why hype continues to build around 17+ winners, is how many drivers have come so close to victories only to have circumstances turn against them in the final laps.
At least Busch has his win at the Bristol Dirt Race to fall back on, a victory that slipped through the fingers of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe when they made contact on the final lap. Reddick remains winless, leaving this 1976 Daytona 500 moment the one he’ll regret if the No. 8 team winds up on the wrong side of the playoff bubble.
Right now, with 11 races left in the regular season, there are 11 winners and five remaining playoff positions up for grabs. Unlike in past years, when a handful of teams dominated up front, a closer look at the winless list shows a missed opportunity for virtually every driver fighting on the bubble to reach victory lane. The parity’s created the most wide-open year in recent memory, as it’s hard to trust anyone, really, can make it in on points; a win could come from a driver 20th or lower in the standings at any time.
Here’s a detailed look at the drivers still fighting for a win and how close they’ve already come.
Ryan Blaney: Blaney’s already won a race, of course, but it doesn’t count, as the NASCAR All-Star Race isn’t a points-paying event. Phoenix Raceway was his…
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