The 2024 Cup Series campaign has been an interesting watch so far. While Kyle Larson has been a dominant force with four wins to his name, there’s no assurance of him going all the way. Well, that is how the Cup Series has been. Last season, even William Byron enjoyed an impressive run. However, it was Ryan Blaney who made a late surge and went on to win the championship. This time around, while the favorites exist, the likes of Tyler Reddick pose a threatening challenge.

With the Next Gen cars, the Cup Series remains an unpredictable competition. In a season where veterans like Kyle Busch have struggled, Austin Cindric has turned up with a win. While there’s no disrespect to Cindric’s abilities, it just shows how level-playing ground the Gen-7 cars provide. With that in mind, it certainly provides the right platform for any of the playoff drivers to cruise to the 2024 championship. Let us take a look at some of the drivers who could surprise many in the playoffs.

1. Tyler Reddick

The 28-year-old driver is currently in his fifth full-time Cup Series season. Safe to say, moving to 23XI Racing has been a game-changer for him. Last year, in his debut season with the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned team, Tyler Reddick had his career-best finish with a P6 ranking. In the 2024 campaign, the #45 driver has carried on his good form from last season, as he currently sits P3 in the regular season standings.

While Reddick has one win, nine top-five finishes, and 15 top-10 finishes to his name, consistency has been a key factor in his success so far. With that in mind and his last season’s impressive run, there’s no reason why the California native could not go all the way in the 2024 campaign. Having said that, Tyler Reddick will have to overcome his struggles at Las Vegas and Martinsville if he is to make it to Phoenix for the finale.

2. Brad Keselowski

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The RFK Racing co-owner and driver certainly knows what it takes to win the championship. Having done it in 2012 with Team Penske, Brad Keselowski has it in him to repeat the feat. After ending his 110-race winless streak in the 2024 campaign, Keselowski looks confident. Safe to say, he could have ended up with more wins and a better standing than 9 this season had misfortune not played its part.

With Keselowski possessing a good record at Bristol and Atlanta, clearing the first round of the playoffs shouldn’t be a hurdle. Even the Round of 12 favors the 40-year-old with the races at Talladega and Kansas, two tracks where winning hasn’t been an issue for the #6 driver. Despite his immense experience, Keselowski’s poor run in the last two seasons makes him an underrated contender for this year’s championship. That said, he has the arsenal to go all the way in 2024.

3. Daniel Suarez

Currently, Daniel Suarez stands P17 in the regular season standings but has already booked his place in the playoffs. Suarez registered his second-ever victory in the Cup Series with a win in the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This comes after he triumphed in the NASCAR Mexico Series race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

While a victory has helped Suarez’s cause, there’s a lot left to be done from his end. Undoubtedly, his priority would be to clear the Round of 16. Despite three top-five finishes at Watkins Glen, Suarez’s best chance of making it to the next round should come at Atlanta. Not only does he have a victory to his name there, but he also has two top-five and four top-10 finishes.

Having said that, the Trackhouse Racing driver will need to be a lot more consistent in his racing as he’s way beyond the cutline and currently sits in 17th in the standings. While there’s no doubting his abilities, capitalizing on his chances will certainly give Daniel Suarez against his highly-rated competitors in the playoffs.

4. Alex Bowman

2024 has been the year to break winless streaks. While Brad Keselowski successfully did that, so did Alex Bowman. The Hendrick Motorsports driver ended his 80-race winless streak after he triumphed in a rain-hampered Chicago Street Race. Bowman certainly can make his playoff chance count. With confidence and momentum on his side.

While his three HMS teammates battle for the championship intensely, it should inspire Bowman after failing to make it to the playoffs last season. Like Daniel Suarez, Bowman’s primary goal would be to clear the Round of 16. Should he manage to clear that and the following round, the Round of 8 races will help his cause. With a win to his name already at the Chicago street race, that too on wet tires, Bowman should fancy his chances at both these tracks in the playoffs.

That said, the 31-year-old is yet to register a stage win in the 2024 campaign. While Bowman has led only 14 laps this season, only consistency on the track can help his cause. It remains to be seen how he turns up in the playoffs, as he currently is 10th in the standings.

5. Ty Gibbs

Among all the underrated candidates on the list, Ty Gibbs remains the youngest one. That said, Joe Gibbs’ grandson has enjoyed some wonderful pace with his #54 Toyota Camry XSE and currently sits at 11th in the standings. In just his second full-time season, the 21-year-old has made it to the playoffs. Interestingly, it is not because of a victory but because of his impressive and consistent run on the tracks.

Gibbs has five top-five and nine top-10 finishes to his name. More importantly, he has led 349 laps so far, a tally bigger than championship favorites Chase Elliott and William Byron. While it is inspiring, a run of similar nature can certainly help the youngster pull off surprises in the playoffs. With speed not an issue, there’s no reason why Ty Gibbs cannot carry his amazing run in the final 16 and pose an unexpected threat in the title race.

While the odds may not be in favor of the above-mentioned drivers, their capabilities behind the wheel certainly don’t write them off. Should one of them triumph with a title win this year, it will also be an iconic win for NASCAR and the Next Gen car.