Author Archives: reidboden

If you’re any kind of a (stock car) racing fan, this is one of those weekends you circle on the calendar when the schedule is released in the fall prior. 2.6 miles of relentless, near-uncontrollable, razor’s edge, all-out, balls-to-the-wall, wide-open throttle for 188 laps at NASCAR’s largest oval on the circuit. Over the past fewContinue reading “2026 Jack Link’s 500 Predictions”

The 2026 NASCAR season is underway, and what better way than to kick off the year with two superspeedway races assured to level out the playing field early. Last week? Magic. The most viewed NASCAR race within the past couple years ended with Tyler Reddick proving his mettle- smart positioning and a whole lotta patienceContinue reading “2026 Autotrader 400 Predictions”

Three to go, and we’re not talking about laps. Three races to go in the NASCAR playoffs until we crown what’s likely to be our final single-race champion for the foreseeable future. Perennial contender Denny Hamlin already clinched his spot in Phoenix after putting the pedal down in the desert in last week’s donnybrook inContinue reading “2025 YellaWood 500 Predictions”

The Round of 12 begins with a bang in Loudon, New Hampshire, as the NASCAR Cup Series continues its march through the month of September. The mile-long intermediate comes on the heels of what was the most compelling Bristol race in quite a long time, where we witnessed a quiet, but starving, Christopher Bell takeContinue reading “2025 Mobil 1 301 Race Predictions”

It’s been a weekend all about racing. This time of year celebrates all types of racing – be it on two wheels, four wheels, four legs, two legs… it’s all about speed. And we’re all here for it. It’s all about horsepower (heh, see what I did there?), and few weekends out of the yearContinue reading “2025 Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY 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. ToContinue reading “2025 Goodyear 400 Predictions”

Ahhhh, feel that breeze. The sixth contest of the season brings us to The Magic City in the form of Homestead-Miami Speedway, where 37 drivers will try to wheel their hot rods as close to the outside wall as they can in hopes of quicker speeds and prolonged tire lives. Kyle Larson hasn’t been shyContinue reading “2025 Straight Talk Wireless 400 Predictions”

Two words. Christopher Bell. And there you have it- the start to the 2025 season in a nutshell. The Cup Series heads back to the desert this weekend in the form of the mile and a half-long intermediate oval that is Las Vegas. It’s a home race for the likes of Kyle Busch and RileyContinue reading “2025 Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube Predictions”

Three races to go and here we are at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where room for error is non-existent, and room for mediocrity is even less. Storylines entering Sunday afternoon are numerous, and current point standings tell more than half the story. Four playoff drivers enter this race substantially below the cutline, those among them including defendingContinue reading “2024 Straight Talk Wireless 400 Predictions”

Four races to go, and eight drivers remaining. The playoffs are more than in full swing, and the Round of 8 begins with an incredibly fast oval in Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Not even a lap into the race, and the playoff grid has already taken on a different shape. Midway through practice, the #12Continue reading “2024 South Point 400 Predictions”

It’s one of the sport’s crown jewels. Dale Earnhardt, albeit unbeatable with restrictor plates, despised the concept of pack racing, and thought it the antithesis to stock car racing. Yet here we are. It’s not a matter of if, but when the anticipated Big One unravels under the lights. And with the Big One, nowContinue reading “2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Predictions”

Here we go- the encore in Chicago. Shane Van Gisbergen, the ultimate name to watch after today, brought home the checkered flag in yesterday’s action in the Xfinity Series race, capping off an impressive three-road race run and now holding the title as the only driver to ever win in both the Xfinity Series andContinue reading “2024 Grant Park 165 Predictions”

What do old vinyl records and stock cars have in common? They both sound damn good and they look great going ‘round and ‘round. NASCAR is back at the home of country music (though I think Bristol may have something to say about that…) this afternoon for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. Earlier thisContinue reading “2024 Ally 400 Predictions”

Back at the giant paperclip! Can we even call it that? Whatever you consider it, we’re back underneath the Arch (albeit in Illinois), the (in)famous Gateway to the West at Worldwide Technology Raceway, a track packed with short track action on an intermediate layout. Now on the other side of stock car racing’s most dauntingContinue reading “2024 Enjoy Illinois 300 Predictions”

Yes, Dorothy, indeed we are in Kansas for the twelfth race of the 2024 Cup season. And, to the relief of many, the sport returns to a track where both speed and skill return to the spotlight. Kansas is a track that, perhaps, has been the most unlikely of candidates to level the playing field over theContinue reading “2024 AdventHealth 400 Predictions”

Ushering in the third of six superspeedway races this season, we welcome you to the GEICO 500. Looking as though we’ll be dodging rain drops throughout the afternoon, but with enough openings to see some green-flag action, today’s race promises to deliver in routine superspeedway action. Consider this a “wild card weekend,” where 31 driversContinue reading “2024 GEICO 500 Predictions”

Happy Easter, Race Fans! Alas, a mediocre winter is behind us, and the smell of Spring (and worn rubber) is in the air. And what does Peter Cottontail bring us? A night under the lights at one of NASCAR’s cornerstone ovals. Richmond Raceway. Get ready. 300 miles, 400 laps, and a whole lotta short trackContinue reading “2024 Toyota Owners 400 Predictions”

Four races remain until we crown the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Vegas weekend storylines are quickly amounting- everything from solar eclipses to practice mishaps, and the green flag has yet to fly. What are the odds your favorite driver takes home the checkered flag? Let’s roll the dice and find out at 2:30 PMContinue reading “2023 South Point 400 Predictions”

Heartbreak- it’s what shrouded the Round of 16. What we do know? We will not have a repeat champion this season. Even more sobering? Kevin Harvick is officially a one-time Cup Series champion. What we don’t know? Anything about the next seven weeks. But, the least we can do is try- so let’s start with the Round of 12Continue reading “2023 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Predictions”

Twenty-five races in, and here we are. So, what were in your cards for the 2023 regular season? A Chase Elliott, albeit win-and-your-in, winless streak? A winless regular season (so far) for Stewart-Haas Racing? A playoff grid with one spot remaining with one regular season race to go, and seventeen drivers to vie for it?Continue reading “2023 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Predictions”

The gimmicks? Just about over. Playoffs? 7 races ‘til. Old school? Starts now. Christopher Bell, picking up where he left off last year, leads the field of 36 to the green flag for the Crayon 301, provided Mother Nature behaves. An eventful day of qualifying and practice nearly leads us to believe that the usualContinue reading “2023 Crayon 301 Predictions”

So, what are your thoughts on the Chicago Street Course so far? Yesterday was telling. Wrecks in qualifying by Top-10 perennials Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick make it hard to believe either will be factors today…although Cinderella stories do happen. And how ‘bout the speed shown by both Shane van Gisbergen and Jenson Button? WillContinue reading “2023 Grant Park 220 Predictions”

So, what’s your favorite storyline from this past week? Don’t know? Let’s recap- Blaney drove a rocket ship last Monday and broke a 59-race winless streak, Chase Elliott lost his cool and delivered a left hook to Denny Hamlin only Muhammed Ali could be proud of (that’s resulted in a one week vacation…that may involveContinue reading “2023 Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter Predictions”

For most folks, it’s the most beloved race of the Spring. Pack racing at its finest, at speeds that top 200 mph, chaos is the norm. For some, Talladega poses an opportunity to break the ol’ unlucky streak. For others, it’s an opportunity to make a name for yourself. For yet a select few, itsContinue reading “2023 GEICO 500 Predictions”

Happy Easter from Birdies and Burnouts to yours! May your day be filled with beautiful Spring weather, more candy than you can count, and a giant heaping of… dirt on Sunday night. With maybe a side of rain? This weekend marks the third running of the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, andContinue reading “2023 Food City Dirt Race Predictions”

Viva Las Vegas. In short, what has the 2023 season taught us so far? Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain are nothing short of forces to be reckoned with (but we already knew that…right?). And, with perennial contender Chase Elliott sidelined for an indefinite period of time, the field is now that much more open. WeekContinue reading “2023 Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube Predictions”

By R. Boden In a lot of ways, this is the race I’ve circled on my calendar as being the big bang finale. Sure, Phoenix gets the glory of crowning NASCAR’S next champion…but Martinsville? Martinsville gets the glory of separating the men from the boys in a field where there ain’t much room for mistake.Continue reading “2022 Xfinity 500 Race Predictions”