The next eliminated four nations will be:
Kyle Busch nation (Kansas will get them)
Kahne nation(just to inconsistent)
Newman nation (the 31's no top5s lack of speed, good little nation with no nuclear abilities)
Hamlin nation (but I am on the fence with them, they will be strong @ Talladegar.)
1st alternate: Edwards nation, I think they are better than Hamlin nation over the next three, but Hamlin nation has the serious win potential at Dega.
The other likely candidates Junior nation and Kenseth nation will be OK. They both are definitely top 8 nation material and will point their way to the final 8 nations, wins or not.
Harvick nation, Gordon nation, Johnson nation, Keselowski nation and Lagano nation are just too good to get out-pointed. It will take a DNF to eliminate one of those superpower nations , and another problem event to eliminate them. They are capable of overcoming the former nation Almirola (Chicago) type of setback.
But Harvick nation and Lagano nation are the biggest risk driver/nations among the superpowers. Harvick nation has had a great year with the exception of infrastructure and not closing the deal this year. I guess I am picking on Joey nation they are very capable of winning it all, but I think Keselowski nation is a better high stakes big money nation, just a little more complete imo.