This article is part of our NASCAR Barometer series.
Four drivers entered Sunday's 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway fighting for the championship, but it was Martin Truex Jr.'s night to celebrate after winning the race and the season title. It was a season of superlatives for the Colorado-based team, as Truex bettered his personal record for wins in a season, and nearly dominated the 36-race calendar. Each and every week this team came prepared to battle for victory and walked away with top finishes even when they fell short. It seemed as though the title was destined to land in Truex's hands early in the schedule, and the team persevered even in the final miles of Sunday's race to come out on top.
The championship is the first of Truex's career, and the first for Furniture Row Racing. The team will revert to a one-car effort in 2018 as Erik Jones moves on to replace Matt Kenseth at Joe Gibbs Racing, but the enhanced focus on a one-car effort could make Truex's campaign even stronger. The season to come will see many changes, with names like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth exiting full-time competition, and new faces like William Byron and Darrell Wallace Jr. looking to make their mark on the sport's history. One thing will be certain, though. All will have to work hard this winter to catch and topple Truex and his championship-winning organization.
UPGRADE
Martin Truex Jr. – This season was one to remember for Truex. Not only did he
Four drivers entered Sunday's 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway fighting for the championship, but it was Martin Truex Jr.'s night to celebrate after winning the race and the season title. It was a season of superlatives for the Colorado-based team, as Truex bettered his personal record for wins in a season, and nearly dominated the 36-race calendar. Each and every week this team came prepared to battle for victory and walked away with top finishes even when they fell short. It seemed as though the title was destined to land in Truex's hands early in the schedule, and the team persevered even in the final miles of Sunday's race to come out on top.
The championship is the first of Truex's career, and the first for Furniture Row Racing. The team will revert to a one-car effort in 2018 as Erik Jones moves on to replace Matt Kenseth at Joe Gibbs Racing, but the enhanced focus on a one-car effort could make Truex's campaign even stronger. The season to come will see many changes, with names like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth exiting full-time competition, and new faces like William Byron and Darrell Wallace Jr. looking to make their mark on the sport's history. One thing will be certain, though. All will have to work hard this winter to catch and topple Truex and his championship-winning organization.
UPGRADE
Martin Truex Jr. – This season was one to remember for Truex. Not only did he capture the championship by winning the final race of the season, but he was also on point from the drop of the first green flag in February. He didn't take his foot off the throttle until the last possible moment either. This season seemed as though he was destined to climb atop the summit and claim his place among champions. In just a few short years, Furniture Row Racing has transformed itself from one of the underdogs to one of the most fearsome outfits in the garage. Their rise has been an impressive one, and he held off the best in the sport in order to claim his rightful place among the greatest.
Kyle Busch – Busch demonstrated more of what he gave all season last week in Homestead. Late in the race he appeared to have the fastest car on track, but in the final miles he simply didn't have the machine to close the gap and make the pass on the 2017 champion. Busch's season started with blazing speed and horrible luck, but the team found their feet and built a surge toward the front. He made it all the way to the final lap of the final race before finally conceding to Truex, which is exactly what we have come to expect from him. Toyota had an advantage throughout much of the 2017. Next year won't be as clear-cut, but fantasy owners can rest assured that he will be in the mix regardless of circumstances.
Kevin Harvick – Despite not being one of the most competitive drivers throughout the season, Harvick still found himself as one of the top finishers in the season-long championship. He suffered some left-front damage in Sunday's finale and suffered a bit compared to the leaders as a result. He put up a valiant effort and wasn't a driver fantasy owners could ignore until the final moments of the 36-race season. Harvick has grown to become one of the most consistent protagonists for the win each and every week, and it would be a surprise were he not to replicate that form next season. He heads off into the winter break full of confidence, which should make everyone in the garage anxious to get a head start on preparations for 2018.
Brad Keselowski – Keselowski was never far from the leaders in Sunday's race and championship battle, and his team wasn't afraid to gamble to gain an advantage. The circumstances didn't pan out for him, but to make it to the finale remaining in contention for the championship was no small feat. He had a tremendous season in his Ford when compared with the dominance of Toyota, but Sunday's effort lacked the power needed to push him to the front. That was representative of much of his 2017 season, and fantasy owners have to wonder what would have been possible if Ford had maintained their early-season advantage. They will be working hard to get off on the right foot in February.
Kyle Larson – By all accounts 2017 should be considered a breakout season for Larson. He started with such strength that he was considered an early championship favorite. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to maintain that momentum and suffered an early exit from the playoffs. He was quick again in the Homestead finale, and won the first and second stages of the season finale. In fact, despite not being one of the leaders, he found himself in the middle of the championship battle in the final moments of the 2017 season. While the situation wasn't exactly as he had imagined nine months ago, it was still a reminder that he's likely one of the drivers to contend each and every year he is in the seat.
DOWNGRADE
Jimmie Johnson – Johnson's Miami outing didn't start out or finish as planned. Early contact on the right side of his machine sent him to pit road early, and out of contact with the leaders. The incident also caused a second stop that put him even farther behind. When all was said and done, he found himself outside of the top 20, which is quite the turn from where he found himself just one season ago. While 2017 was not the type of campaign we have come to expect from the champion, he heads into the winter knowing that significant improvements have to be made for him to be considered a contender next season. Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports have their work cut out for them, and we'll have to wait until February to see what ground they can claw back.
Ryan Blaney – Blaney was another driver who carried himself farther into the championship playoffs than most would have expected at the start of the season. Not only did he score a victory but he also made his way into the final eight eligible drivers fighting for the season championship. He moves forward to Penske Racing in 2018, and certainly more top results will be expected given the step forward in machinery. Fantasy owners will need to analyze how he responds to the increased pressure early next season. Much will depend on Ford's ability to close the gap in the offseason, but Blaney also will need to be at the top of his game. Daytona testing early in 2018 will start showing the signs of what is to come.
Kurt Busch – While Busch's teammate Harvick fought for the title in Homestead, Busch found himself on the outside looking in. Busch started the season in the best possible way by winning the Daytona 500 but lost that early momentum and was unceremoniously eliminated from the playoffs despite a surge in form just prior to the eliminations. Sunday was another example of why Busch wasn't able to make it into the finale in contention for the title, and the lack of consistency will be the primary focus of the team as they prepare for 2018. Busch still hasn't made his plans for next season clear, but it would be a huge surprise to not see him back in a competitive seat to defend his Daytona 500 crown.
Danica Patrick – Patrick no doubt expected more from her final full-time race, but that wasn't meant to be. She would have expected more from her entire NASCAR career given the equipment she had at her disposal, but the situation never panned out. She remains confident of competing in two races next season, so her legacy is not yet complete. Her impact on the sport will be one of inspiration for young drivers around the world, but it will not be remembered as a winning one. While the sport will become accustomed to not having a personality like Patrick as one of its competitors next season, her true impact has yet to be felt. Aric Almirola has taken her race seat, but it remains to be seen what he will accomplish behind the same wheel.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Chase Elliott – At the end of the 2016 season there were many fantasy owners surprised that Elliott hadn't tallied his first career win in the series. To have the 2017 season come to conclusion without a victory for the driver of the No. 24 machine it is almost inconceivable. Elliott was a quick driver throughout the season, but suffered persistent bad luck. The most egregious of those situations may have come just a few weeks ago when Denny Hamlin ruined his chances of a trip to Victory Lane. Fantasy owners may have seen the birth of the Elliott we will come to know in the seasons to come with that instance, though. Despite remaining winless, Elliott continues to be one of the biggest prospects in the sport. The same proponents of his success will not have diminished expectations in 2018.
