Join me as I test my wits against various AI programs in picking the 2026 Cup races. Once they’ve made their picks, I’ll make my normal Favorite, Next Favorite, and Dark Horse picks (in addition to my regular O’Reilly & Truck Series picks). At the end of the year we’ll see who knows more—me, or a soulless machine gobbling up water and electricity.
Google Gemini sez: “Because the race is live/imminent, we don't have a winner yet, but here is the breakdown of who is most likely to take the checkered flag based on the latest odds and track history. Atlanta's "new" configuration (re-profiled in 2022) makes it a "drafting track," similar to Daytona or Talladega. This means drivers with strong superspeedway skills have the edge. William Byron: The defending winner of this race (2025). He has mastered the drafting style at Atlanta and is currently one of the safest bets.”
Meanwhile, here’s MY human picks:
Truck Series Fr8 208 Saturday 1:30pm ET on FS1: KYLE BUSCH—its Groundhog Day all over again.
O’Reilly Series Bennett 250 Saturday 5pm ET on CW: AUSTIN HILL—same time, same day, same channel, same winner.
Cup Series Daytona 500 Sunday 3pm on Fox FAVORITE: DENNY HAMLIN—“break up the Toyotas!”. NEXT FAVORITE: KYLE LARSON—the four cars of Hendrick could be a HUGE advantage at this drafting track. DARK HORSE: anyone from SPIRE—7, 71, or 77 (so Geoff Bodine, Dave Marcis, or Bobby Hillin Jr.)
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