As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs advance, the field has narrowed, and the competition intensifies. The Round of 8 has been set following the Charlotte Roval race, with four drivers—Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric—eliminated from championship contention. This outcome has led to discussions about the performance of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and the prospects for the remaining contenders.

Denny Hamlin, representing JGR, leads the Round of 8 standings with 4,036 points, just 2 points ahead of Ryan Blaney. But despite Hamlin’s strong position, JGR’s overall performance has been scrutinized.

Christopher Bell, another JGR driver, is currently 5th in the standings but is 4 points below the cutoff line, indicating the team’s inconsistent results. This inconsistency has raised questions about the team’s ability to secure multiple spots in the final four.

The remaining drivers in the Round of 8, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and William Byron, have demonstrated strong performances throughout the season. Blaney, with three wins this season, has shown resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for advancing in the playoffs.

Larson and Byron, both from Hendrick Motorsports, have been consistent contenders, with Larson securing a second-place finish at the Charlotte Roval. Their team’s depth and experience make them formidable opponents.

As the playoffs progress, the dynamics between teams and individual performances will play a crucial role in determining the final four. With the current standings and upcoming races, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the competition unfolds and which drivers will emerge as the top contenders for the championship.

Fans on Reddit are buzzing with predictions for the Final Four, and they’re not holding back.

Fans weigh in on Final Four

 “I think HMS would implode if they had 3/4 in the final 4 and get beat by Penske again,” one user posted. Hendrick Motorsports has been a playoff beast, with Larson and Byron in the Championship 4 in 2023, only for Ryan Blaney to snatch the title. The fear of a Penske repeat looms large. Joey Logano’s 2018 Martinsville bump and run still haunts HMS fans, and a three-Hendrick final with Blaney crashing the party would be a gut punch.

“I have Hamlin, Blaney, Larson, and Byron making the final 4,” another fan guessed. It’s a mix of experience and momentum. Hamlin’s deep track knowledge at Martinsville, Blaney’s short-track savvy with a 93.5 driver rating on under-1.5-mile ovals, Larson’s superspeedway speed, and Byron’s 2025 wins keep him steady. This lineup feels balanced, blending JGR’s grit, Penske’s precision, and Hendrick’s depth for a Phoenix showdown that could go any way.

“Elliott, Hamlin, Larson, Logano,” a user suggested, leaning on vets. Elliott’s 2025 rebound after a quiet 2024, with his Darlington near-miss leading 243 laps, makes him a wildcard. Logano’s Martinsville magic, like his 2018 bump-and-run, gives him an edge in elimination spots. It’s a throwback field, heavy on experience, that fans love for its history-making potential.

“Larson, Byron, Elliott, and Hamlin get eliminated. And to top it all off, Hamlin loses to Logano on a last-lap pass at Martinsville to get eliminated,” one fan predicted. Martinsville’s short track has birthed upsets like Ross Chastain’s 2022 Hail Melon, which bounced Hamlin. Logano’s last-lap pass on Hamlin would be poetic payback, and with Hendrick’s trio falling short, it’s the kind of twist that has fans glued to every restart.

“Genuinely no idea. After the Round of 16, I had an outside shot of Larson getting eliminated and Byron being the only surviving HMS car. Now, Byron looks to be the slowest of the 3. JGR-wise, Briscoe looked the best in Round 1 but now looks the worst heading into Round 3. The only guy who feels secure in making it is Blaney, but who knows? He’s the only one with momentum, but Penske could roll off shitboxes at Vegas and Martinsville, and it means nothing,” a fan admitted.

The volatility is real. JGR’s Briscoe started strong but faded on intermediates, Bell’s is solid but 4 points shy, and Hendrick’s Byron lags his teammates. Blaney’s momentum is the one constant, but Vegas’ speed and Martinsville’s chaos could flip it all.