NASCAR off-week superlatives: Awarding the 2022 standouts so far

By Staff Report | Wednesday, June 22, 2022

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Only 10 races remain in the NASCAR Cup Series' regular season, and there have been story lines aplenty through the first 16 races.

Which drivers have stood out so far? What about races? Let's dive into some off-week superlatives to recap the year's best so far.

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Best race

Coca-Cola 600

Comment: The longest race of the year featured some of most thrilling, compelling action of the year. Charlotte Motor Speedway's crown-jewel event extended to overtime after a multitude of battles, notably between Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe, before Denny Hamlin escaped with the victory.

Honorable mentions: Auto Club; Las Vegas.

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Biggest story

Parity brings fresh winners

Comment: There have been 12 different winners through the season's first 16 races. Four of them -- one-third -- have been first-time winners: rookie Austin Cindric (Daytona 500), Chase Briscoe (Phoenix, pictured), Ross Chastain (Circuit of The Americas, Talladega) and Daniel Suárez (Sonoma). That's the most first-time winners in 16 races since 1950. With 10 more events left to set the playoff field, the debate lingers whether there will be more winners than playoff spots available.

Honorable mentions: Next Gen car's debut; Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum; Cup debut at Gateway.

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Biggest news surprise

RFK Racing hit with 100-point penalty

Comment: Rarely does a team get hammered by a penalty as severe as 100 driver and owner points, a $100,000 fine, and a four-race suspension for a crew chief. But RFK Racing attempted to repair a rear tail panel, which didn't meet the sanctioning body's standards during teardown at the NASCAR R&D Center, forcing a penalty to 2012 champion Brad Keselowski after Atlanta that still leaves him mired in 30th place in points.

Honorable mentions: NASCAR, Hendrick team for Le Mans Garage 56 project for 2023; Aric Almirola's retirement; Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing not yet reaching a deal

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Biggest race-day surprise

Bristol Dirt

Comment: In a thrilling, 17-lap battle, Chase Briscoe caught Tyler Reddick for the lead entering the final set of corners. But Reddick, just a turn and a half away from his first career Cup win, was sent spinning after a deep dive bomb from Briscoe went awry. With both leaders spinning through Turn 4, third-place racer Kyle Busch scooted through to end a 25-race winless streak and extend a string of 18 straight seasons with a victory, tying Richard Petty's record.

Honorable mentions: Austin Cindric wins Daytona 500; Final stage at Talladega goes caution-free.

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Best story

Daniel Suárez wins Sonoma

Comment: The pure joy and celebration that followed Suárez's inaugural Cup triumph on June 12 was the unquestionable highlight of the season so far and a wonderful note to carry us into the year's lone off week. His journey through the NASCAR Mexico Series, Drive for Diversity and a language barrier to becoming just the fifth NASCAR Cup Series winner not born in the United States is nothing short of remarkable.

Honorable mentions: William Byron's Martinsville triumph one year after his mother's illness was detected; Chastain, Trackhouse celebrate first win at COTA; Darrell Waltrip's return to the FOX Sports booth at Bristol.

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Best rivalry

Denny Hamlin vs. Ross Chastain

Comment: Perhaps this one stands out because it's freshest, but there was no shortage of barbs thrown between Hamlin and Chastain at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 5 -- on or off the track. Chastain's contact to Hamlin sent the No. 11 into the Turn 1 wall, effectively ending Hamlin's winning chances, and Hamlin retaliated by slowing the No. 1 Chevrolet every chance he got. There seems a good chance this feud hasn't offered its last episode.

Honorable mentions: Logano-Byron at Darlington; Chastain-Elliott at Gateway.

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Best driver

Ross Chastain

Comment: Sure, this list is Trackhouse-heavy, but that's because the season has been, too. Chastain has been one of the most consistent threats to win all year, leading 25 laps or more in three of the last six races. His seven top-five finishes are most in the series and he finds himself second in points, a career-high rank. Not too shabby for a driver who had never won in 120 career starts before March.

Honorable mentions: Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott.

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