Go ahead. Scan the four-driver teams the NASCAR on NBC announcers, analysts and writers have put together in the NASCAR America Draft.
Think you could do better?
Then try! It’s easy.
Take a look at the list of drivers at the bottom of this file. Select four drivers. But you can spend no more than 10 tokens for your four-driver team.
Do you take a former champion among those costing five tokens, leaving you with only five tokens to make your final three picks. Do you play it safer and go for a driver who costs four tokens? Do you go with veterans? All rookies? Something in between?
See the teams the NBC Sports crew put together and then do your team. And share it with us on social media using #NASCARAmericaDraft.
Jeff Burton’s team
Kevin Harvick (5 tokens)
Christopher Bell (2 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Michael McDowell (1 token)
I want a superstar. I’m going to go ahead and bite the bullet and spend five tokens on a superstar driver. ... The reason I’m going to pick Kevin Harvick is because I know what he can get it done on the racetrack. It doesn’t matter what racetrack it is, he can be competitive. ... I’ve been his teammate. If I’m a car owner, I want that guy in the meeting, pushing to make everybody better, doing everything that he can to make himself better and everybody else. I know the intangible value that Kevin Harvick brings to the table.
Steve Letarte’s team
Denny Hamlin (4 tokens)
William Byron (3 tokens)
Christopher Bell (2 tokens)
Corey LaJoie (1 token)
I’m going to take what I think is a cornerstone driver. When I look at the four token options, there are two great young talents in Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, I think they have a lot of upside, Kurt Busch is a champion, but I’m taking Denny Hamlin. I’m taking, in my opinion, the best driver who has never won a championship. Denny Hamlin, I know he’s a little bit older at 39 years old, but I think he’s as mature as he’s ever been. I think he can lead our organization to building good cars and giving good feedback. Why? Because he wins everywhere. ... I think he would excel in that leadership role.
Kelli Stavast’s team
Denny Hamlin (4 tokens)
Alex Bowman (3 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Ryan Preece (1 token)
I think Denny is a bargain at 4 tokens and Matty D is a steal for 2.
Rick Allen’s team
Kyle Busch (5 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Cole Custer (2 tokens)
Ryan Preece (1 token)
Kyle Petty’s team
Joey Logano (5 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Christopher Bell (2 tokens)
Bubba Wallace (1 token)
Dustin Long’s team
Chase Elliott (4 tokens)
Ryan Blaney (4 tokens)
Corey LaJoie (1 token)
Bubba Wallace (1 token)
Let me introduce you to the modern day “Rat Pack” that will continue to transform NASCAR, just as the original 1960s version altered popular culture and Las Vegas. No driver under 30 needs to apply for my team that will be strong for years to come.
Nate Ryan’s team
Denny Hamlin (4 tokens)
William Byron (3 tokens)
Tyler Reddick (2 tokens)
Bubba Wallace (1 token)
Denny Hamlin because he’s in his peak year at age 39 and is a steal for four tokens after a 2019 championship round appearance. Byron has the most potential of the three-token guys. Tyler Reddick might be a slight reach at two tokens, but he will win in Cup. Bubba has the transcendent appeal and charm to attract major sponsors if he can have some success in a good ride.
Daniel McFadin’s team
Denny Hamlin (4 tokens)
Tyler Reddick (2 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Ryan Preece (1 token)
No Cup champions on my team, but I went with the best current driver to not have a title (Hamlin) who still has at least five years left in the tank. He can mentor Reddick. I like Preece and DiBenedetto as a pair of drivers in their late 20s with untapped potential who can motivate each other with a friendly rivalry.
Jerry Bonkowski’s team
Denny Hamlin (4 tokens)
William Byron (3 tokens)
Matt DiBenedetto (2 tokens)
Bubba Wallace (1 token)
Taking a driver worth five coins would really skew things, so it’s better – at least mathematically – to take one pick apiece from the other four categories. I expect big things from all four of my picks, particularly Byron and DiBenedetto.
