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.
Grok AI (5 wins) sez: Top Contenders: Kyle Larson — The clearest favorite right now. He just took the Chase lead by 1 point over Denny Hamlin after finishing 2nd at Bristol. Kansas is one of his best tracks: he has multiple wins there in recent years, leads all drivers in laps led at the 1.5-mile oval in the Next Gen era, and consistently runs up front on intermediates. His recent momentum makes him the guy to beat.
Truck Series (2 wins) Kansas 200 Saturday 1pm ET on FS1: JAKE GARCIA—at least its not GREG Garcia.
O’Reilly Series (4 wins) off
Cup Series Hollywood Casino 3pm ET on USA FAVORITE (1 win): CHRISTOPHER BELL—maybe there’ll be a brawl after this race too. NEXT FAVORITE (3 wins): WILLIAM BYRON—a quiet run finally gets loud. DARK HORSE (2 wins): BRAD KESELOWSKI—fuuuueeeellllll mileagggge.
www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly
Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing
Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized
A MOXOC Media production