One week later, and the death of Kyle Busch still feels heavy. We’ve seen lots of tributes to Rowdy over the past week and a half- nearly every driver who’s taken the checkered flag since his passing has offered the Rowdy bow, a testament to Busch’s aura and angst that he left on the sport. There’s no reason to believe that tonight’s winner won’t do the same in front of what should be a “rowdy” crowd on Sunday night in Music City. Last week, Daniel Suarez delivered when it mattered the most. No, he didn’t have the best car last Sunday night and, no, he didn’t lead the most laps. But he won restarts and threw blocks when it mattered the most. It’s undeniable that Spire Motorsports has been on a tear this year, and there’s no reason to believe this organization is going to let up anytime soon.
Nashville has produced some of the more exciting intermediate-style racing over the past few years, especially with this Next Gen car. Two years ago, we witnessed one of the greatest gas-mileage races in recent memory, which saw Joey Logano bring home the checkered flag after a slurry of failed restarts. The year before that, Ross Chastain hoisted the Gibson Les Paul in Victory Lane in what proved to be a largely inconsequential victory for the driver of the #1 Chevrolet. Tonight, Denny Hamlin will lead the field to green after posting a Top 3 fastest lap time in Practice. On his outside? The car that he owns that has been the class of the field all season, the #45 of Tyler Reddick. Still racing with heavy hearts, we’re ready for the Cracker Barrel 400. So let’s get to brass tacks.
Driver to Fade:
He just found out yesterday that he’s lost his ride with 23XI Racing starting in the 2027 season. But, rumours are already swirling that Legacy Motor Club may have a ride waiting in the wings for the young man from Vegas. And truthfully? He’s had moments this year that suggest he’s finally catching on. But, all to no avail with Denny and Jordan. Not such a great finish for him last week, either- a P21 finish at Charlotte doesn’t set up for a promising run tonight. He rolls off P23 tonight and, given his average finish of P30 here in Music City, we’re not counting on any miracles. 23XI has four cars in the running tonight- we’re looking for Riley Herbst to take up the back of the pack amongst the four.
Dark Horse:
Ahhhhh, yes. (In my best Cris Collinsworth voice) NOW HERE’S A GUY who, for sure, is showing improvement in the Cup Series in slightly-above-average equipment. Last week, Zane Smith led the most laps of his entire Cup career and, at one point in the race, felt like he might’ve actually had a shot at winning the damn thing. But, not to be. BUT, he leaves a track where he’s led the most laps in his career and now heads to a track he nearly won two years prior. Put him in your fantasy lineups, folks. The Californian has shown glimpses all season that he’s got the knowledge to put himself in meaningful position when it matters the most. He rolls off the grid P11- prime real estate- and is, for sure, one of quite a few dark horses to keep your eyes on tonight.
Top 10:
This man has been getting quite the amount of extra laps as of late, and it seems to be proving useful. A past Nashville winner, Ross Chastain posted an impressive P4 finish in the Truck Series on Friday night. He notched a NOAPS win in his cap last Saturday night after thick fog and rain ended a wild NOAPS race, but rolls off tonight from deep in the field. All signs point to the Melon Man as being a real threat tonight. He was second-fastest in Practice yesterday, and it looks like his only real competition will come from JGR, as Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell were also inside the Top 5 in the session. He’s so even-keeled most of the time, and it’s hard to tell where his emotions are at any given second. But we’re confident the #1 will be up front tonight.
Winner:
He really wanted one last weekend for his former teammate, and he was visibly bummed that it didn’t quite happen. There’s no reason to believe the #11 isn’t the leading championship favorite this year- he’s been steady all season long and carries an average finish of 9th on the entire season. 8 Top 10s, 6 Top 5s, and one win. Give him his second regular-season win of the year tonight in Nashville. We’re taking Denny Hamlin for the win at the Cracker Barrel 400 tonight on Prime Video at 7 PM. And, perhaps, he’ll get to take the bow under the lights for his former teammate, driver of the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota- Kyle Busch.
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