The spring race of 2021 in Las Vegas saw Kyle Larson emerge victorious, a triumph that significantly bolstered his standing in the playoffs. Although he secured a modest 10th place finish in the Round of 8 race on the same track, he not only earned a coveted spot in Championship 4 but also went on to clinch the title.

Fast forward to 2023, and Kyle Larson finds himself once more vying for the 2023 Cup. However, in recent weeks, especially over the past three, his presence among the top four contenders might have seemed improbable to many. This perception persisted not merely for a fleeting couple of weeks but for an extended period, with even Dale Earnhardt Jr. omitting him from his list of top-four contenders in predictions made months ago. As a result, Dale Jr. has found himself on the receiving end of substantial online criticism, a subject he candidly addressed in his most recent podcast.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains resolute amidst criticism and stands by his top-4 picks

Leading up to the mid-October race in Las Vegas, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. made waves with his predictions for the Championship 4 contenders in Phoenix. His choices not only attracted attention for who he believed would emerge as the champion but also for a notable omission. Following Kyle Larson’s triumph in the race, Junior’s predictions appeared somewhat questionable.

“I’m staying with William Byron, (Ryan) Blaney, Truex, and Hamlin,” he affirmed during Sunday’s Countdown to Green pre-race show in Vegas. “But today, I’m going to be honest. Today is the day for me to really stick with Blaney or not. I need to see what kind of performance he has on the race track, and by the end of this day, I’m either going to stick with Ryan Blaney going to the final four and winning the championship or I’m off the boat.” Throughout the playoffs, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has unwaveringly upheld his postseason selections, undeterred by the successes of other drivers. And yet again, Dale Jr. backed his choices on his podcast.

Furthermore, despite facing a barrage of criticism and comments for not including Kyle Larson in his predictions, Dale Earnhardt Jr. defended his stance: “I did not have Larson in my championship 4. I am getting a lot of sh*t for that. You know what? I don’t think you’re allowed to change. I picked my Championship 4 many, many months ago. And so, you know, I’m going to stick to my decision. I am not going to look at the results and go well, sh*t, I better change it because now I have got a different opinion. Now, if you’ve got a different opinion, that’s fine. But don’t give me a load of sh*t that I didn’t pick Larson. Because I set my four way back.”

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Perhaps his steadfast support for Ryan Blaney over Kyle Larson stems from the fact that his list stands alone in featuring Blaney instead of Larson. All other prognosticators, including Martin Truex Jr. and Tyler Reddick, envisioned Kyle Larson joining the Championship 4 elite. But that’s not all. Dale Earnhardt Jr. even ventured a prediction for the 2023 season champion.

Dale Jr.’s bold 2023 championship pick

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As the 2023 Cup Series season nears its conclusion, the race for the championship title in Phoenix remains wide open, with no clear frontrunner in sight. A multitude of names swirl in the minds of fans and pundits alike. There’s the resurgent and determined Christopher Bell, the youthful and passionate William Byron, the immensely talented Kyle Larson, and, of course, the current “villain” of NASCAR, Denny Hamlin.

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr., always one step ahead of the game, made his championship prediction back in June 2023, well before the playoffs commenced. He boldly declared, “My bold prediction is that Ryan Blaney has an incredible second half and emerges as a championship favorite.”

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Indeed, Ryan Blaney has garnered widespread respect from both spectators and NASCAR insiders owing to the strong contender he has become in the round of 8. But the question lingers: does he possess the qualities of a championship winner?