The NASCAR Cup Series wraps up the regular season with the Coke Zero 400 on Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
Two playoff berths are up for grabs, with Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman currently ahead of the playoff cutline. But a new winner would take one of those spots.
Daytona 500 champion William Byron has clinched the regular-season championship, so the focus will be centered around the playoff cutline.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona:
Mike Organ’s pick: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Elliott’s season was reminiscent of his best days until the last two races. A 26th-place finish at Watkins Glen and the DNF at Richmond are the lowlights of his season. He will bounce back and finish strong on a track he likes in Daytona.
Nick Gray’s pick: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Picking a winner at Daytona is akin to playing the lottery, but Stenhouse will be the most aggressive driver on Saturday night.
Tom Kreager’s pick: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Byron gets win No. 3 in Daytona since 2022. It’s a fitting end to the regular season for the NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion. Oh, and it helps teammate Alex Bowman get into the playoffs.
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