It probably isn't accurate to keep calling the NASCAR season "young."
We are, after all, 10 races into a 36-race schedule _ it may feel like the Daytona 500 was only yesterday, but in reality, we've already run a quarter of this season's Cup Series races. And while that realization might be met with some sighs from disappointed fans, it also means we can finally start analyzing drivers with a substantial body of work.
For media members such as myself, that's a boon. Predictions are fun and all, but the reality is they aren't worth squat once the results start pouring in. And now that they are ...
We can derive real value from the finishes that drivers have (or haven't) accrued. We know basically who is good _ Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, to name two _ and who is not. But we also know there's a large middle tier developing. That group includes drivers with some good finishes but perhaps not the consistency they would hope to see?
So, let's take a look at three of those drivers: Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones and Chase Elliott. Each of those three falls into that middle tier (or at least you could argue they do). They aren't challenging for wins week in and week out, but if they do place in the Top 5 or 10, you're not surprised.
And why these three drivers? Because each of them is at somewhat of a crossroads in their season. The question is, where do they go next?
