The NASCAR Cup Series continues today with the 2021 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Read on below to see my prediction for who will win the race, as well as my top 10, dark horse, and driver to fade predictions.
Winner: Chase Elliott- Elliott is always the favorite heading into a road course race and with good reason, with a pair of wins and a pair of runner ups in 5 road course races this season, as well as 7 career road course victories. Elliott will have an advantage having raced in the Xfinity race here yesterday and I believe those extra laps made will make the difference, as I predict that Chase Elliott will be kissing the bricks after winning today’s race!
Top 10: Kyle Larson- Larson is in the midst of his best career season, with 5 victories, 5 runner up finishes, and 16 top 10 showings so far, including a pair of road course victories. Larson has the ability to win at any given moment and he has proven that he has the technical skills necessary to win on a road course. Larson is a lock for the top 10, but don’t be surprised to see him in the mix for the win late in the going.
Dark Horse: Austin Dillon- Although he hasn’t traditionally been thought of as a road course racer, Dillon has had his best year yet on road courses, with 4 consecutive top 15 finishes on those tracks. Like Elliott, Dillon also raced in yesterday’s Xfinity Race and gained some valuable knowledge in that extra time on track. A win is improbable, but I believe Dillon will bring home his 5th consecutive top 15 showing on a road course.
Driver to Fade: Justin Haley- 2021 has been a struggle for Haley, with no finishes inside the top 20 in 19 starts, with a best finish of 24th and 7 finishes of 30th or worst. Haley is an easy fade and is a lock to finish outside the top 20.