The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the egg-shaped Darlington Raceway for Sunday’s Goodyear 400.
The 1.33-mile oval with two very different ends is a challenge for most drivers, especially those inexperienced with running through the close-quarter turns.
Ford drivers won the two races at Darlington last season, including Brad Keselowski winning in a three-car duel with Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick last spring. Incidentally, there are no Fords among The Tennessean’s picks this weekend.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington:
NASCAR predictions for Cup Series Darlington race: Here’s who wins the Goodyear 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
After picking Denny Hamlin to win last week, which he did, I resisted the temptation to go with him again considering how good Hamlin has been at Darlington and chose instead to go with Reddick. He has also been strong at Darlington, with three top-three finishes in the NextGen car and winning the pole last spring.
Nick Gray’s pick: Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Wallace has a good track record at Darlington and has been consistent through the first two months of the season. At some point soon, he’ll cash in with a victory.
Austin Chastain’s pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Larson has showed dominance at Darlington, winning in 2023 and collecting seven top-5 finishes there in 14 starts, leading 1,048 laps. He also wins the throwback paint scheme of the weekend with the Terry Labonte Tony the Tiger theme look.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Can Denny win two straight? Why not? His teammate Christopher Bell won three straight races this season. Denny has been dominant at Darlington. He has four wins and 13 top-5 finishes? More than any other active driver. Denny got on track at Martinsville. He continues that this week.
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