Look: Join NASCAR's editorial staff in predicting the playoffs

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs start on Sept. 4 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET, USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM)

[{"selector":"#anim-5c0ba080-6125-42ac-8768-5bbbfdcc0c20","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(102.84974%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b433ac9c-1a97-44ea-a87b-97cf3aa72b96","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-406aeb5e-9a76-432f-997a-bf0ff2d4bdaa","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The NASCAR.com article group made season finisher forecasts. Presently you can jump in and let loose, as well.

[{"selector":"#anim-1f35f6d5-53a9-41de-bfc9-059f98128b03 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-441eedfa-7d7c-43a3-b9dc-6823ab83cf03","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.36788%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6dfb0849-a8e7-4a0d-b59e-8d9c1273c803","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac7f91ca-1c42-43c4-a619-f7c15865f9f1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Steve Lavender: Ross Chastain's cantaloupe will turn sour sooner than expected.

[{"selector":"#anim-b92aa235-931b-48d0-b916-d6f19a3b8abe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b61be897-249b-409f-817f-675e2bf94cb6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.36788%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2fc06c6b-95d0-43ef-8747-59bfe2e775f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb4665e0-63d4-4988-8a9e-94bb648b5eb0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

He is entering an end of season game in third place with a 20-point finisher focus.

[{"selector":"#anim-9d2e749a-3217-4229-9487-9f65d12169aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d1d868-2aba-402b-9fc4-71b5dc937e75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.36788%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-627e05d8-800b-4967-b71c-845fee8d2a85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89c8c01f-1fdf-4e08-8a49-4688ec29816c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Although the round of 16 tracks in his repertoire were the unexpected breakout drivers of the current year: Darlington, where he crashed in May

[{"selector":"#anim-b78dcd1e-870a-40a2-afcd-c28f28a6baa8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe22fd4d-26d3-46da-9a8e-73955856ae24","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.10881%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04134dd3-750d-41e7-a11a-cf36f550c15e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de07b053-8f7e-4eb9-9b02-335a8562dd32","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Louvender: Playoff competitors will need a perfect Texas Motor Speedway race in round 12. Round of 16 (though nothing is for sure)

[{"selector":"#anim-861fc2c1-b756-47fc-9d46-943670a08ccb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-054a55ee-9549-48da-a658-c52e85d100dc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.36788%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98c68143-adac-4393-978a-a9074eb1f158","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e8a4fb6-2061-4753-b147-2e7464e5c8e9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

@NASCARCASM: That would be Texas, starting in round 12, and the explanation is basic. Assuming you top the race,

[{"selector":"#anim-604c58ba-033e-4706-8972-479173291f72 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0e6388a9-593f-49ca-9f7f-6f89bf344be8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.10881%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d312ddda-fc92-42cf-85fb-360a1fca3e0a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4361436-493a-463e-b796-5cbf5d06a497","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

ZACH STURNIOLO: As Steve suggested, the next round gives the biggest open door for some turbulent results, especially from Talladega and Roval.

[{"selector":"#anim-564729eb-0da0-4952-8096-79a9cc99b766 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86b0f402-4eaa-45c2-81fc-4c3baaaebff3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.10881%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5f64060-6185-43cc-8560-9a0b3a3e028e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68dd2bb3-5427-478d-809c-eb7175f8cd09","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Pat DeCola: Austin Syndrick. I see a lot of early matrices out there that have thrown out Syndrick after round 16

[{"selector":"#anim-b3ca5092-2699-492e-95a9-b5bea3c39ae2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1eb2bd9-9101-4648-926f-aa952452366d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.36788%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f67b34b-bc9d-4a6f-b4cb-be9c3cc65734","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-182ef410-a38f-47a9-bb60-54a8b1f4b0c3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Veteran NASCAR Driver Hinting At Major Decision Coming Soon

[{"selector":"#anim-03db6faa-b7f5-4be4-95ca-759233cbbbc2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] See Stories

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs start on Sept. 4 at Darlington Raceway (6 p.m. ET, USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM)

Credit: Google Image

The NASCAR.com article group made season finisher forecasts. Presently you can jump in and let loose, as well.

Credit: Google Image

Steve Lavender: Ross Chastain's cantaloupe will turn sour sooner than expected.

Credit: Google Image

He is entering an end of season game in third place with a 20-point finisher focus.

Credit: Google Image

Although the round of 16 tracks in his repertoire were the unexpected breakout drivers of the current year: Darlington, where he crashed in May

Credit: Google Image

Louvender: Playoff competitors will need a perfect Texas Motor Speedway race in round 12. Round of 16 (though nothing is for sure)

Credit: Google Image

@NASCARCASM: That would be Texas, starting in round 12, and the explanation is basic. Assuming you top the race,

Credit: Google Image

ZACH STURNIOLO: As Steve suggested, the next round gives the biggest open door for some turbulent results, especially from Talladega and Roval.

Credit: Google Image

Pat DeCola: Austin Syndrick. I see a lot of early matrices out there that have thrown out Syndrick after round 16

Credit: Google Image

Veteran NASCAR Driver Hinting At Major Decision Coming Soon