By Kevin Stryker
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue today with the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Read on below to see our prediction for who will win the race, as well as our top 10, dark horse, and driver to fade predictions.
Driver to Fade: Cody Ware- Ware is the driver to fade this week. Why? Well, why not? He hasn’t done much this season, and will be lucky to finish the race.
Dark Horse: Daniel Suarez- Suarez is having a career season, with a win and 11 top 10 finishes under his belt. In nine career races at Texas, he has five top 20 finishes, and I predict another one is coming his way today.
Top 10: Kyle Larson- Larson, the odds-on favorite to win this race, has not enjoyed as many wins this season (2) as he did last year (10). He has, however, had 15 top 10 finishes. There have been 29 races this season. He’s finished in the top 10 half the time. Common sense pick here.
Winner: Chase Elliott- Elliott currently leads the Cup Standings with 3,040 points on the season. I have a long-standing philosophy of going with the hot hand, and Elliott, the second-place finisher last week, is definitely the hot hand. Elliott has not won at Texas since he reached the Cup Series, but I predict that his fortunes will change and he will take the checkered flag this weekend!