The NASCAR Cup Series begins the Round of 12 in the playoffs with Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 race at Kansas SPeedway.
In the spring, Kyle Larson beat Chris Buescher to the line in the closest finish in Cup Series history to win the AdventHealth 400.
12 drivers remain in the playoffs, including Larson who won in dominant fashion last weekend in Bristol.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas:
NASCAR PLAYOFF PICTURE: Cup Series points standings after Bristol
NASCAR predictions for Cup Series Kansas race: Here’s who wins the Hollywood Casino 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bell has yielded to Kyle Larson as the betting odds favorite to win the championship but I don’t expect Bell to go away quietly. He’s overcome other setbacks this season and is plenty capable of winning this week after finishing fifth at Bristol.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports drivers dominated the spring Kansas race with three of the organization’s four race teams finishing in the top 10. Elliott finished third in May after qualifying ninth. Elliott has a win and three top-2 finishes at Kansas. He also has 11 top-10 finishes.
Nick Gray’s pick: Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
This has been a Toyota stronghold as of late, and I considered both Reddick and Denny Hamlin. Hamlin has a top-5 streak going at Kansas while Reddick won the playoff race at Kansas last year. Reddick has been running slightly better and more consistent over the last couple months.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Kansas predictions 2024: Expert picks for Cup Series race
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