Predictions and picks: 2018 champion, Daytona 500 winner, more

The 2018 season kicks off Sunday with the Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), with plenty of intrigue palpable. NASCAR.com staff members go out on a limb to make their picks for the both Sunday’s race and the 2018 season in general.

ZACK ALBERT
Truck Series champion: Johnny Sauter. Just one position shy of the 2017 title, Sauter returns to cash in for his second crown in three years.

Xfinity Series champion: Christopher Bell. Last year’s Truck champ moves up, poised to seal his second NASCAR national series title.

Daytona 500 winner: Brad Keselowski. With a strong restrictor-plate acumen, all the variables set to finally align for the No. 2 crew at the Great American Race.

Surprise playoff qualifier: Kasey Kahne. Sure, Kahne qualified for the postseason last year to fill a two-year void, but this year’s mission is tougher: Bringing Leavine Family Racing its first playoff berth.

Bold prediction: Five first-time winners. Chase Elliott is expected to finally break through, but add Alex Bowman, William Byron, Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez to that list.

Championship 4: Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr. Two drivers from last year’s final quartet should return, but the Championship 4 mix gets younger with Elliott and Larson.

2018 champion: Kyle Busch. For all his racing accomplishments, it’s surprising that Rowdy doesn’t have championships in multiples. This year, he’s in line for title No. 2.

JONATHAN MERRYMAN
Camping World Truck Series champion: Johnny Sauter. One of the most consistent drivers in the Truck Series garage. Get ready for title No. 2.

Xfinity Series champion: Elliott Sadler. Homestead has lit a fire under the veteran, who is tired of being a bridesmaid.

Daytona 500 winner: Brad Keselowski. Starting from the rear of the field is no problem for Keselowski. I think he gets out front, and when he does, he will be very hard to pass.

Surprise playoff qualifier: William Byron. Is it really a surprise? Maybe not, but I needed to at least mention his name as a playoff driver.

Bold prediction: Alex Bowman wins one of the first 10 races of the year.

Championship 4: Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson.

2018 champion: Chase Elliott. He came out of the 2017 fall Phoenix race a different driver — one I don’t want to underestimate.

BRAD NORMAN
Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter. Sauter is simply too good at this point in his career. The playoff format suits him beautifully.

Xfinity Series champion: Christopher Bell. Elliott Sadler and Cole Custer both give a serious push, but Bell wins the title in his first year in the series.

Daytona 500 winner: Kyle Larson. Yeah, the Fords are fast this weekend, but it’s Daytona. The Joe Gibbs guys lurk late, but ultimately it’s Larson outrunning the field to the checkered.

Surprise playoff qualifier: Darrell Wallace Jr. The energy around the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team is incredible. Wallace Jr. won’t point his way in, either — he’ll win.

Bold prediction: Chase Elliott will win at least five races in 2018.

Championship 4: Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney.

2018 champion: Kyle Busch.

JESSICA RUFFIN
Camping World Truck Series champion: Johnny Sauter. The 2016 champ is motivated after missing the title last year. With ’17 champ Christopher Bell racing in the Xfinity Series this year, the title is Sauter’s to take.

Xfinity Series champion: Elliott Sadler. Look for last year’s regular-season champion to win the 2018 championship this year, as Sadler looks to seize a title narrowly missed last season.

Daytona 500 winner: Joey Logano. The Fords have proven to be the cars to beat in the long run at Daytona, and Team Penske’s Logano has the plate prowess to be patient when he needs to be (and aggressive when coming to the checkered).

Surprise playoff qualifier: William Byron. Byron’s rise through the ranks has been quick, but successful. He won multiple races in his Xfinity and Truck rookie seasons, so look for strong, consistent runs — if not a win — for the young driver this year.

Bold prediction: Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez will both win races — and make the Playoffs — for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Championship 4: Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick.

2018 champion: Kyle Busch.