2025 Goodyear 400 Predictions

What could possibly be more throwback than a date with the Lady in Black? NASCAR’s throwback weekend is in full swing as the grid takes on the track Too Tough To Tame. William Byron will lead the field to green this afternoon after a promising qualifying session put him on the pole yesterday afternoon. To his outside is Ryan Preece, whose first year with RFK Racing has shown glimmers of hope and decently consistent speed to start the young season. Darlington Raceway is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races- the pavement is amongst the most worn on the schedule, and no matter where you run, your tires will wear at a fast rate. It’s one of the few tracks where you gotta damn near hit the wall to find your speed- this afternoon, drivers will be putting their machines as close to the fence as possible to find both speed and traction. It’s the home of the beloved Darlington stripe- the in-race adjustment to your paint scheme that delivers a light “sanding” to the right side of your vehicle, courtesy of the retaining wall. And, for the past half decade or so (ask Chase Elliott- he loves throwback weekend), it’s the event where NASCAR puts on its throwback regalia as a nod to 77 years of organized stock car racing (and even other racing series). So, what’s not to love? Old school. Retro. Let’s get to it. 

Driver to Fade:

Here’s a guy who comes from racing royalty, and who fits right in with throwback weekend. But, John Hunter Nemechek’s mid-practice spin yesterday afternoon won’t do him any favors this afternoon. He starts 27th in the pack of 38 cars today. It can be hard to move up the grid at Darlington, and we don’t look for the #42 to run near the front today.

Dark Horse:

Man, oh man, has this guy shown some speed this year. Glimmers of hope last year have mounted to a little momentum this year, and it feels like Carson Hocevar is a top dog for a dark horse win at some point. Hocevar was P1 in practice yesterday afternoon after putting 39 laps on his Chevrolet. He rolls off P13 this afternoon. He’s been in the limelight a little extra lately- his aggressive racing style has caught the untimely attention of his fellow competitors in the field. But he’s consistent. We look for some speed out of him today.

Top 10:

Another one who’s been consistent to start the year off. Bubba Wallace has been fast all year, and he’s now mounted two Top 3 finishes in a row. Practice times were nothing to shake a stick at yesterday, but he’s put his neon #23 Columbia Toyota Camry at P5 to start this afternoon. It could be another solid points day for him today. Toyota has had some speed as of late at Darlington, too, all of which works in Wallace’s favor.

Winner:

This guy has been fast all weekend, and he’s got the car to do it. It isn’t often that the pole sitter can put it in victory lane, but William Byron surely can. He was P6 in practice yesterday, and of course, starts P1 today. Hendrick is always fast at Darlington, and always in the hunt late-race. He’s running the throwback farewell scheme of his boss- Jeff Gordon- this weekend. We’re taking the #24 to put it in victory lane this afternoon at Darlington Raceway at 3:00pm ET on FS1! Who are you taking?