AJ Allmendinger
Although he excels on road courses, the ‘Dinger had his best finish of 2016 in the spring race at Martinsville, where he wound up second.
NASCAR via Getty ImagesJared C. Tilton
Aric Almirola
The only victory of Almirola’s Cup career came at Daytona in 2014, so it’s not surprising that his best finish of 2016 — eighth place — came in the October race at Talladega, the only other restrictor-plate track on the circuit.
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Trevor Bayne
In 2011, Bayne shocked the world with his victory in the Daytona 500. His top result this year was third in the July Daytona race.
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Greg Biffle
In Biffle’s final season with Roush Fenway Racing, his best run came at New Hampshire in July, when he came home fifth.
Getty ImagesDaniel Shirey
Ryan Blaney
Twice in his rookie season, Blaney brought the Wood Brothers Racing Ford to fourth-place finishes. The first time was in the second Michigan race and then he repeated it in the Chase opener at Chicagoland.
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Clint Bowyer
In a one-and-done season at HSCott Racing — who Bowyer is now suing for $2.2 million he says he’s owed — Bowyer wound up seventh in the first Talladega race.
Landon Cassill
It was a pretty good 2016 campaign for Cassill, who wound up sixth in most laps completed on the year and had a top run of 11th at Talladega in May.
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Matt DiBenedetto
In a surprising and highly emotional result, DiBenedetto was great in the spring race at Bristol, where he finished sixth.
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Austin Dillon
A lot of drivers did well at Talladega this year, including Dillon, who finished third in the spring race there.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Appearing in just 18 races before being sidelined for the second half of the season by a concussion, Earnhardt finished in the runner-up spot four times: Atlanta, Texas, Bristol and Pocono.
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Chase Elliott
The 2016 Sunoco Premier Series Rookie of the Year was the runner-up at both Michigan races.
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Kasey Kahne
On the year, Kahne completed more laps than any other driver, but failed to lead any of them. His best finish was third in the Charlotte Chase race.
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Michael McDowell
Quietly, McDowell had a very good season, posting top-10 finishes at Daytona in July and in the season finale at Homestead.
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Jamie McMurray
Despite never leading a lap all season long, McMurray made the Chase for the second consecutive season, with a best of fourth at Talladega in May.
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Casey Mears
In his final season with Germain Racing, Mears’ best race was at Daytona in July, when he wound up 12th.
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Paul Menard
It was a tough year for Menard, who could do no better than eighth place in the spring Martinsville race.
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Ryan Newman
Third place at Kentucky was Newman’s best on the season.
Getty ImagesNick Laham
Danica Patrick
No top 10s at all this year for Patrick. Instead, her best finish was 11th in the Charlotte Chase race.
David Ragan
Not a stellar season for Ragan, who finished 16th in the July Daytona race, an event he won earlier in his career.
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Brian Scott
At the fall Talladega Chase race, Scott was runner-up to Joey Logano. Soon after, the rookie driver announced his retirement.
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Regan Smith
Third place in the second Pocono race was a strong result for Smith.
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Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
In the Bristol night race in August, Stenhouse wound up the runner-up in an excellent run.
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